Semi-Permanent Hair Color: 7 Tips to Make it Last

Wondering if semi-permanent hair color is right for your hair? Before you mix up their shade, it’s important to get the full lowdown on these low-commitment, glow-boosting hues. As the No. 1 Salon Color Brand in the World*, we’ve got all the details you need. Discover how long a semi-permanent hair color lasts, who it’s best suited to, and seven tips to help your client maintain their dream shade for longer…

WHAT IS A SEMI-PERMANENT HAIR COLOR?

It’s just what it sounds like – a color that won’t last forever, but stays on hair longer than a temporary shade. Essentially, it tints the surface of hair strands without penetrating the cuticle, so it can be ideal for a low-commitment, subtle shade refresh or a fling with a festival-ready fashion color. Just keep in mind that, the stronger the color intensity, the longer it will wear, meaning something like a flaming red (especially on pre-lightened hair) can actually be enjoyed for a number of weeks. And, because it doesn’t alter the internal structure of hair strands, semi-permanent hair color is completely damage-free.

HOW LONG DOES A SEMI-PERMANENT HAIR COLOR LAST?

It depends on the product you’re using. There are two semi-permanent colors in the Wella portfolio, allowing you to unlock everything from natural-looking blondes to rainbow-bright bolds. Here’s how long they last…

COLOR FRESH

As a general guideline, our original and iconic semi-permanent hair color usually lasts for up to 10 washes, making it the perfect pick for a low-commitment and completely damage-free color boost. However, color intensity also plays a role in how long semi-permanent shades last, so vibrant reds or deeper brunettes, for example, could even last beyond those 10 washes. Reach for Color Fresh to achieve an in-between refresh, color correcting to remove brassy tones, or dipping a toe into a whole new look. Choose from a palette of warm and cool-toned reds, brunettes and blondes with a natural-looking glow.

COLOR FRESH CREATE

This collection of intermixable fashion hues will typically give your client up to 20 washes of wear. However, a bolder shade can last even longer, just as pastelizing a color may reduce its longevity. New Blue is a great example; you can dilute this intense blue to a baby blue, but the brighter it is, the longer its lifespan will be. And best of all, these pastels and bolds fade true to tone, so they look Insta-ready from the first wash to the very last. Reach for this product if you want to work one of this season’s most vibrant trends, from a blue ombre to a peach blonde mane. With Color Fresh CREATE, any shade is possible.

DEMI VS. SEMI-PERMANENT HAIR COLOR: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

While demi-permanent and semi-permanent hair colors both offer temporary lower-commitment results than a permanent hair color, demi-permanent shades tend to last longer – usually up to 24 washes. This is because they go further than coating the surface of your hair; demi-permanent color pigments actually penetrate the hair cuticle for a more intense finish.

Case in point: Shinefinity, our demi-permanent, zero ammonia color glaze, which harnesses balanced pH technology to gently and effectively deposit pigment inside the hair strand. The glaze starts off mildly alkaline, so that the cuticles can swell and open slightly to let the color in, before dropping to an acidic range that then closes the cuticle, ensuring zero lift and zero damage. The result? Radiant color with a translucent finish and stunning shine you can feel.

DOES SEMI-PERMANENT COLOR DAMAGE HAIR?

No. On their own (meaning without any pre-lightening) Color Fresh and Color Fresh CREATE won’t cause any damage to your hair, as they tint the surface without penetrating the cuticle. So, even though they might fade faster than other hair color types, you can apply and reapply them without compromising the integrity of strands.

HOW DO I MAKE SEMI-PERMANENT HAIR COLOR LAST?

For you to get maximum mileage out of their semi-permanent shade, you need to perfect color maintenance. These are the seven tips and products you need…

1. ADJUST THE HAIR WASH SCHEDULE

The more you wash you hair, the faster their semi-permanent shade will fade. So, how often should you wash your hair ? Stretch out their your wash days, while ensuring to lather up frequently enough to keep scalp clean. For those with oily hair, this might mean switching from a daily wash to every other day, while those with a balanced scalp may be able to bridge the gap for three or four days.

2. USE A COLOR-KING SHAMPOO

Harsh shampoos are a no-go when caring for semi-permanent color, as they can strip the surface of strands to accelerate shade fade. So, use a color-kind shampoo on hair wash days. INVIGO Brilliance Color Protection Shampoo is perfect for boosting the vibrancy of locks. Not only is it pH balanced, which helps to close the cuticle and boost color retention, but it’s also infused with our unique Metal Purifier. This means that any metals lingering in the hair are neutralized when they wash, which helps to reduce hair damage. And trust us: just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean those metals aren’t there. Follow up with INVIGO Brilliance Vibrant Color Conditioner to complete the routine.

6. PROTECT HAIR FROM HEAT DAMAGE

Extreme heat has a huge impact on the wear of semi-permanent hair color – just look at this clip by @lindsey.wella to see the fading effects for yourself. That’s why it’s vital for every one of your clients to use a heat protectant product, no matter if they blow-dry, straighten or curl their strands. Our pick is EIMI Thermal Image, a bi-phase formula that you shake up and spray to lock in shine with protection against heat up to 220 degrees celsius.

7. SHIELD COLORED STRANDS FROM UV RAYS

As well as protecting hair from heat, safeguard your strands from the effects of the sun. Even in winter, UV rays can lift and fade color to shorten the lifespan of semi-permanent hair color.

* Based on Wella Master Brand USD sales on the 2022 Salon Hair Care Study for the hair coloring products category published by Kline.