4 Types of Hair Colors & How To Choose The One For You
From the vibrant shades, the gloss, and the styles, to the sheer thrill of experimenting, the process of getting your hair colored is surely exciting. Well, almost! Listening to our impulses becomes slightly tougher when we’re looking at a commitment. Thankfully, this is where the knowledge about various types of hair colors can come in handy. Different hair color types help you control how long your color stays on and what finish it leaves. The decision of how to choose hair colour depends on the knowledge of these types of hair colors and how they affect your hair’s natural pigment. Without further ado, let’s take you through the different hair color types.
A quick overview of the types of hair color:
- There are different hair color types that offer different types of lasting effects. You can make your pick after understanding which type of hair color does what.
- Permanent hair color offers the longest-lasting change by altering hair's natural pigment permanently.
- Demi-permanent hair color lasts 6-8 weeks, offering a less drastic but enriched color.
- Semi-permanent hair color has a short-lived effect, lasting 4-6 weeks without affecting natural pigment.
- Temporary hair color lasts until the next wash, offering instant but fleeting color.
Types of Hair Colors
1. Permanent Hair Color
Naturally, we start at the permanents while learning about the different hair color types. Your longest-lasting option, permanent hair color, lasts the most amount of time. This hair color type is designed to change your hair’s natural pigment for good. A permanent hair color opens your hair cuticle and takes the new color deposit deep into your shaft. This is why permanent hair colors don’t wash out. However, you may need to get touch-ups done as and when your hair grows out.
• When to use this hair color type?
A permanent hair color is ideal for a dramatic color change. When you’re trying to take your darker hair shade lighter, this hair color type comes in handy. Permanent shades are also great for total gray coverage. Since they completely remove your hair’s existing pigments, there are no silver threads that stick out. Other than that, if you’ve found the perfect shade that you’re committed to, go with the permanent hair color. This will reduce the need for touch-ups, keeping your desired shade intact. Since this hair color type works deep within your shaft, it’s best to stick with nourishing and professional options. Look for ammonia-free permanent hair colors formulated with gels and oils to keep your lengths safe and color shiny.
• How often do you need to touch up permanent hair color?
Typically, this hair color type needs root touch-ups after a month or more, according to your hair growth. Make sure you use color-protection shampoos to keep your color just as vibrant. If you’re looking at hair color as a permanent lifestyle change, it’s best to use repairing hair care ranges, with ingredients such as acidic bonding concentrate.
2. Demi-Permanent Hair Color
While many of us haven’t heard of this hair color type, demi-permanent shades are our most common best friends. These colors allow you to experience any shade for nearly 6 to 8 weeks while making no drastic change to your original hair color. They are the perfect, low-commitment hair color type that leaves your lengths with a high shine. Compared to permanent hair colors, these fade gently over time, allowing for a controlled transition between two shades. This hair color type also contains lower levels of coloring agents, which barely work within your hair shafts, making them more durable than semi-permanent colors and less strong than permanent ones
• When to use this type of hair color?
Demi-permanent hair color is ideal when you just begin seeing a few grays but are not ready for an all-out coverage. It also comes in handy if you’re looking to deepen or enrich your existing hair color tones, adding some hair color highlights to it. Lastly, if you’re not lightening your hair or changing its shade drastically, demi-permanent colors are your best pick. They do all the work without infiltrating your lengths. And if you find yourself somewhere between high and low commitment, this type of hair color is just for you.
• How often do you need to touch up demi-permanent hair colors?
While it depends on the porosity of your hair, this hair color type generally lasts for 6-8 weeks. Use color-extending masks for these types of hair colors, to extend their life while adding shine and moisture.
3. Semi-Permanent Hair Color
Semi-permanent hair colors last the least amount, 4-6 weeks. These hair colors don’t contain any coloring agents like ammonia or peroxides. This is why they don’t affect your natural hair color at all. This hair color type doesn't show up as well on naturally darker or brunette hair. It simply adds a layer of the new shade over your existing hair pigment, which makes it difficult to go lighter with semi-permanent colors.
• When to use this type of hair color?
Semi-permanent hair colors are ideal for adding a slight tint or highlight to your hair lengths. If you want to add color to the mix just for a few days, or a particular event that won’t last, semi-permanent colors are the way to go. If you’re hesitant about trying a brave new shade, this hair color type is the way to go. However, semi-permanent shades give you no gray coverage and don’t work as well on darker hair. This is why you may not achieve the new shade in its full effect.
• How often do you need to touch up semi-permanent hair color?
According to factors like hair porosity and the frequency of your hair wash routine, this type of color can last for 4-6 weeks.
4. Temporary Hair Color
Color-depositing masks, chalks, root touch-up sprays, or even glazes, many different hair colors types last you temporarily. However, this hair color will only last you till the next wash. Temporary hair colors are quick fixes that bring you color pigments instantly, which may last you till your next shampoo. The good thing about temporary colors is that you can run absolutely wild with your imagination, and it all is undone in a single wash.
• When to use this type of hair color?
This hair color type comes in handy before photoshoots, last-minute touch-ups, testing new shades, and all sorts of one-day escapades. However, they might stain your clothes and pillowcases. Lighter shades may not show up as well on darker hair.
• How long does temporary hair color last?
This hair color type lasts till your next shampoo.
Conclusion
With all the different hair color type options laid out before you, all that's left to do is learn how to choose the right hair color for yourself! Go chic with a new shade and make sure you protect it with color fade protection products for a glowing, lively result. Learn everything there is about color care, covering grays, and more with the hair-color tips by Redken India.