Garnier Olia Permanent Hair Color 5.0 Medium Brown — Ammonia-Free, Oil-Powered 100% Gray Coverage

Garnier Olia 5.0 Medium Brown is an ammonia-free, oil-powered permanent hair dye that delivers rich medium-brown color with up to 100% gray coverage and visibly shinier hair.

Olia replaces traditional ammonia-based formulas with a 60% oil blend of natural flower oils (sunflower and camellia) that helps carry color deep into the hair shaft while minimizing odor and dryness. The boxed kit contains everything for at-home application — developer applicator bottle, colorant tube, after-color conditioner, gloves, and instructions — and is formulated without silicones, parabens, or animal-derived ingredients.

How does Olia achieve vivid color without ammonia?

Instead of ammonia, Olia relies on an oil-dominant delivery system that helps the dye penetrate the fiber and deposit pigments evenly. The oils also help maintain hair hydration during processing, which reduces the stripped or brittle feel commonly associated with permanent dyes.

• 60% oil blend propels colorants into hair for even saturation
• Natural sunflower and camellia oils help preserve moisture
• Reduced odor compared with traditional ammonia formulas

Will this cover gray hair and how long does it last?

Garnier Olia is formulated to provide full gray coverage for most users, delivering long-lasting color that keeps natural reflections. Expect durable results with color retention comparable to other permanent dyes when you follow the included instructions and proper aftercare.

• Designed for 100% gray coverage for up to six weeks of vibrant color
• Use two boxes for long hair; one to two boxes for short to medium lengths
• Pair with color-protecting shampoos and conditioners to maintain tone

What should I expect from the application and aftercare?

Application is straightforward: mix the colorant with the developer bottle, shake, and apply to dry, unwashed hair. After the recommended processing time, rinse until water runs clear and apply the included after-color conditioner to seal and smooth the cuticle.

• Step-by-step instruction sheet and gloves are included in each kit
• Process time: about 30 minutes; rinse then condition
• Best results when used with Garnier Fructis Color Shield products

Is this formula gentle and ethically made?

Olia is formulated without ammonia, silicones, or parabens and carries a vegan, cruelty-free positioning. The focus is on delivering salon-quality pigment while using gentler ingredients and natural flower oils to reduce the aggressive effects associated with some permanent dyes.

• Vegan formula with no animal-derived ingredients
• Cruelty-free: not tested on animals
• Free from ammonia, silicones, and parabens

Who is this for? Garnier Olia 5.0 Medium Brown is a good choice for people who want a reliable at-home permanent color with full gray coverage and a shinier finish without the harshness of ammonia. It fits busy lifestyles seeking salon-style results at home, those sensitive to strong chemical odors, and anyone preferring vegan, cruelty-free hair-care options. Choose one box for short to medium hair or two to three boxes for long or very thick hair, and maintain color with a dedicated color-care shampoo and conditioner.

Ingredients

DEVELOPER: 1071397 AQUA/WATER/EAU, PARAFFINUM LIQUIDUM/MINERAL OIL/HUILE MINERALE, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, HYDROGEN PEROXIDE, STEARETH-20, PEG-4 RAPESEEDAMIDE, GLYCERIN, POLYQUATERNIUM-6, HEXADIMETHRINE CHLORIDE, TOCOPHEROL, PENTASODIUM PENTETATE, AFTER COLOR CONDITIONER: 1119728 A AQUA/WATER/EAU, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, BEHENTRIMONIUM CHLORIDE, CETYL ESTERS, TOCOPHEROL, TRIDECETH-6, CHLORHEXIDINE DIGLUCONATE, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS SEED OIL/SUNFLOWER SEED OIL, CAMELLIA OLEIFERA SEED OIL, AMODIMETHICONE, ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL, PARFUM/FRAGRANCE, CITRIC ACID, CETRIMONIUM CHLORIDE. F.I.L.# D180530/1 US PATENTS: 7,223,385; 7,485,289 COLORANT: 1177017 PARAFFINUM LIQUIDUM/MINERAL OIL/HUILE MINERALE, AQUA/WATER/EAU, ETHANOLAMINE, DECYL GLUCOSIDE, SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE, PEG-40 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, PARFUM/FRAGRANCE, DISODIUM COCOAMPHODIACETATE, TOLUENE-2,5-DIAMINE, RESORCINOL, HYDROXYPROPYL GUAR, SODIUM METABISULFITE, EDTA, ASCORBIC ACID, M-AMINOPHENOL, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS SEED OIL/SUNFLOWER SEED OIL, LIMNANTHES ALBA SEED OIL/MEADOWFOAM SEED OIL, PASSIFLORA INCARNATA/PASSIFLORA INCARNATA SEED OIL, CAMELLIA OLEIFERA SEED OIL, HYDROXYBENZOMORPHOLINE, 2,4-DIAMINOPHENOXYETHANOL HCL, THIOGLYCERIN, TOCOPHEROL. F.I.L.# D180158/1 US PATENTS: 7,060,107; 7,988,737; 7,988,738; 8,066,781; 8,114,170; 7,494,513 US PAT PENDING SODIUM STANNATE, TETRASODIUM PYROPHOSPHATE, PHOSPHORIC ACID. F.I.L.# D42424/9