How do I prepare my hair for demi permanent color?

Coloring your hair at home can be a tricky endeavor. Are you going to get the color you want? Will it damage your hair? How long will it last? While we are big proponents of heading to a salon for major hair changes, there are some solid ways to score a great at-home dye job — especially with semi-permanent hair color.

Semi-permanents, like Bigen Semi-Permanent Hair Color ($4.99), don’t contain ammonia or peroxide, so they are a safer option for maintaining healthy tresses — including processed and relaxed hair. While that means they won’t help you go blonde or some other lighter hue, semi-permanents can enhance your natural hair color, add some highlights or tones to your already bleached tresses and cover greys. Another bonus, since they wash out in anywhere from four to 12 shampoos, your color will gradually fade leaving less noticeable roots.

The question now is how to do it right — at home. Read on for three tips to slay your new hue this summer.

Apply to damp hair

While your hair is damp, the hair shaft is open. Since there’s no ammonia, applying semi-permanent hair color on towel-dried hair will allow it to soak up color better. It will also help with a more even application (so less spotty patches) and you’ll use less dye, which is great for those of us with super long or super thick hair.

Do not shampoo

Remember how wet hair equals an open shaft? Well, you don’t want to wash out that vibrant color you just put in your hair. Instead, shampoo and towel dry hair BEFORE applying color. Once applied, simply rinse out the hair dye and condition as usual. (IMPORTANT: This ONLY applies to semi-permanent hair colors.) This will allow your hair to absorb the hair dye. 

Keep it bright

To extend the life of your color, opt for color-safe, sulfate-free shampoos. Also, look for shampoos for your specific color — especially if you’ve gone read. Be sure to rinse hair with cool water.

Press play below for a quick tutorial from the folks at Bigen.

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Stephenetta (isis) Harmon

Stephenetta (isis) Harmon is a Black beauty culturalist and founder of Sadiaa Black Beauty Guide, the premier directory and platform for Black-owned beauty brands. She previously served as digital media director for Hype Hair and editor-in-chief for the MN Spokesman-Recorder.

If you want to dye all of your hair with semi permanent hair dye, you may have to bleach your hair first so the colors come out brighter. After that, wash your hair with clarifying shampoo and blow dry your hair completely. Then, wear clothes you don’t mind getting stained, and massage the dye into your hair like shampoo. Let the dye set in your hair for 30-60 minutes based on the manufacturer, then rinse the dye out of your hair and apply a conditioner to moisturize your hair. For tips from our Cosmetologist reviewer on choosing a dye and making it last longer, scroll down!

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What Is Semi-Permanent Hair Color?

Semi-permanent hair dye is a non-damaging, short-term way to color your hair. Unlike most permanent formulas, it doesn’t contain ammonia or peroxide, which means it doesn’t require any developer or pre-mixing so that you can apply it straight to your hair from the applicator. It generally lasts through a few washes and can go even longer if you use the right products. And since there’s no bleach required, it’s also safe to use on hair that’s been permed or relaxed. Semi-permanent hair color can add gloss and shine to dull-looking hair.

Semi-Permanent Hair Color Vs. Other Temporary Dyes

There are a few different types of temporary hair dye out there—semi-permanent hair color is just one of many. Here’s how they differ so you can choose which one is the best for your new hue. 

Temporary Hair Color 

This type of hair dye, also known as wash-out hair color, doesn’t actually change the color of your strands. It just coats the outside of the hair shaft without making it into your hair’s cortex. The results should fade in just a few shampoos (or less), and there aren’t chemicals like ammonia or peroxide in the formula. It’s another fun (and commitment-less) way to play around with bold colors. 

Sounds like the right option for you? Try L’Oréal Paris Colorista 1-Day Spray to indulge in some bright and punchy hair color trends. The temporary hair color spray works on all hair types and textures and washes out in just one shampoo session.

Demi-Permanent Hair Color

Demi-permanent hair dye falls right in between semi-permanent and permanent hair dye. 

Demi-permanent hair dye typically has an ammonia-free formula that contains a developer, allowing it to penetrate under the outer cuticle of your hair. This helps the color last longer than semi-permanent alternatives, but not as long as permanent hair color since it doesn’t fully penetrate the hair shaft. Like temporary and semi-permanent dyes, demi-permanent hair color will wash out over time.

Editor’s tip: Clueless when it comes to hair anatomy? Head over to our article, What Exactly Is Hair Made Of? for a quick lesson on what hair is made of, how it grows, and more.

How To Use Semi-Permanent Hair Color

If you’re ready for a momentary hair color makeover, using a semi-permanent is easy to do. No matter your DIY hair dye skill level, all it takes is the right prep and a little know-how (and, of course, the directions on your dye) to master using a semi-permanent hair color at home. 

Step 1: Prep Your Hair 

While you don’t want to color your hair freshly washed, you don’t want your strands to be oily or completely dirty. A day before coloring, clean your hair with the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Scalp Care + Detox Shampoo which will cleanse your scalp of any dirt, oil, and product build-up. Be sure to follow up with the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Scalp Care + Detox Conditioner, for soft strands.

Step 2: Apply The Dye

Next, wearing the enclosed gloves, apply the L’Oréal Paris Colorista Semi-Permanent Hair Color onto desired areas as directed in the instruction sheet. Leave the dye to sit for about 15 to 30 minutes, and then rinse out and style as usual. No matter which type of semi-permanent hair dye you use, make sure to carefully follow all directions.

Step 3: Take Care Of Your Newly Colored Strands

Your brand new color can last between four to ten shampoos, depending on your hair’s porosity. The color will fade gradually and may shift in tone each time you shampoo, so start considering which shade you’ll try next. Of course, even though the color is semi-permanent, you’ll want to develop a proper hair care routine to extend the lifespan of your color for as long as possible. Try swapping out your everyday hair care products for the

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