Temporary or Semi-Permanent Color

Temporary Hair Color:

These products are truly temporary and are usually sold as color rinses. They're used most often to cover or mask gray hair, or to add a subtle (or even a bold) tone to your natural color. Temporary color sits on the outside of the cuticle and adds color to the surface of the hair. Temporary hair color won't take you from a darker shade to a lighter shade, but it can add some depth and richness to lighter hair.

Temporary colors rarely last beyond your next shampoo. Temporary hair color can be found in a variety of products: rinses which add color to the hair and are styled dry, color mousses which add subtle color tones, hair mascara for dramatic effects, spray-on colors for controlled application, and even color-tinted shampoos and conditioners to add depth and longevity to colored hair.

Semi-Permanent Hair Color:

Semi-permanent color is designed to deposit color onto the hair only and has no lightening effect. The formula includes an activator that develops the color and helps to raise the cuticle of the hair shaft so that the color can be deposited there. Semi-permanent color doesn't penetrate into the cortex of the hair, but it will usually last from six to eight weeks (4-12 shampoos), gradually washing out with each shampoo.

Semi-permanent hair color can be used to deposit color over blonde or lightened hair; to blend (but not cover) grey; to refresh faded hair color; to correct hair color that has gone off-tone (turned brassy or ashy, for example) and to blend highlights with base hair color. A clear semi-permanent can also add shine and restore the luster of dull, damaged hair. Semi-permanent color may also be found in shampoos, conditioners, and masks that can be used to maintain the tone of hair between salon visits.