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Is Temporary or Semi Permanent Hair Dye Your Ticket to Perfect Quick Colour?

Published by Rob Tamburo on 23rd Feb 2023

Dying your hair is one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to change your appearance but should you use temporary or semi-permanent hair dyes?

These dye options are quick, affordable, fun and open you up to a whole range of possibilities! They even give you that safety net of avoiding changing your hair colour permanently. These dyes coat the hair rather than actually penetrate the hair shaft. This means they can be washed out quite easily. They can even leave your hair feeling better than before. For instance, brands such as L’Oreal Professional offer a huge range of temporary and semi permanent hair colours that will leave your hair feeling strong and silky.

What is the Difference Between Temporary and Semi-Permanent Hair Dye?

Both  temporary hair dye and semi permanent hair dye are products that colour your hair on a non-permanent basis. Temporary hair dye is specifically designed to be removable after just a couple of shampoos. It usually comes in the form of a powder, chalk or spray, and it will coat your hair in colour immediately upon application. Semi permanent hair dye, on the other hand, lasts anywhere between 4 to 12 shampoos, depending on the health and porosity of your hair. Semi permanent hair dyes don’t penetrate the hair shaft like permanent or demi permanent varieties, but rather alter the tone of the hair via a sheer coating. These dyes are usually applied in a similar way to how permanent hair dyes are applied, but they can also be found in shampoos, conditioners and masks. The main difference between temporary and semi permanent dyes is essentially the length of time they last, but there are other small differences as well.

Do You Know the Pros & Cons of Temporary Hair Dye?

The Best Things About Temporary Hair Dye

Experimenting with hair colours can be a lot of fun and extremely useful when you’re looking for a new look. The only problem is that permanent dyes can back you into a corner. It’s quite easy to choose a colour that ends up being unflattering, unprofessional or just not how you imagined. But when you dye your hair, you are potentially stuck with that colour for a while.

Temporary hair dyes are fantastic because they can be washed out quickly and easily, giving you the freedom to take any risks you want. These dyes will not alter your actual hair colour in any way, so once you wash them out, your hair will look exactly as it did before. Lots of people use temporary hair dyes for costume parties, photoshoots, or any event that demands an out-of-the-ordinary look. They can also be used to mask regrowth, cover grey hair or add sections of colour for a fun and unique hair style.

You might be wondering: are temporary hair dyes damaging? The wonderful thing about temporary hair dye is that it doesn’t have any negative impact on your hair. Permanent hair colours can potentially dry out your hair or damage it, which is the result of certain chemical processes. This means that if you colour your hair with permanent dye, you will have to be active about healing or maintaining your hair’s health. When you use temporary hair dye, however, you don’t have to worry about using certain treatments to fix your hair. Once you’ve washed the colour out, it’ll be like it never happened.

The Downsides of Using Temporary Hair Dye

Is temporary hair dye actually temporary? If you have lighter hair, temporary hair dye may take longer than a couple of washes to rinse out. This fact can cause issues when, for example, you dye your hair for an event on Saturday and show up to work on Monday with a wacky new look. If you have light–coloured hair, be aware that while temporary hair dye will come out eventually, it might take more time than you expect. Additionally, temporary hair dyes don’t often appear very natural. This is fine if unnatural is what you’re going for, but if you prefer the subtle look, consider semi permanent dyes instead.

What About the Pros & Cons of Semi-Permanent Hair Dye?

The Positives for Semi Permanent Hair Dye

One of the great things about semi permanent hair dye is that it’s low maintenance. Depending on the vibrancy of the colour you choose and the condition of your hair, semi permanent hair dye can last between 6–8 weeks. This makes it an excellent choice if you want long-lasting colour. While temporary dyes are perfect for once-off occasions, keeping this colour for an extended period will mean constant reapplication. Semi permanent dye is therefore the easier option. Obviously, permanent hair dyes last even longer than semi-permanent dyes, but these products demand maintenance in other ways. Semi permanent dyes generally wash out evenly and subtly over time, while permanent dyes visibly fade. With semi permanent dyes, you won’t have to worry about troublesome regrowth.

Additionally, semi permanent hair dyes have multiple functions that make them very valuable for professional hairdressers. These dyes can add shine and restore dull or damaged hair. They are also used to refresh faded hair colours, fix colours that have gone off-tone, or blend highlights or grey hairs with the base colour. Since semi permanent dyes can be added to shampoos and conditioners, it is also super easy to maintain the colour between salon visits. You can even use them straight from the applicator, as there is usually no need to pre-mix.

The Drawbacks of Using Semi-Permanent Hair Dye

While using semi-permanent hair dyes generally comes with no consequences, there are some things of which you should be aware. One is that these dyes can cause very mild damage over time, as the process of reapplying the dye can cause dryness. Another is that maintaining the look you achieve from semi permanent dye often means overlapping, which can leave you with darker ends and lighter roots that you intended. Finally, these dyes are not effective for offering full coverage of grey hair.

So How Do You Find the Right Hair Dye for You?

Before you decide on the hair dye that’s best for you, it’s important that you consider your specific needs. If you want a natural look that lasts a while, for example, semi permanent hair dyes will be a better choice. Once you do know what you want, it’s just a matter of finding the right colour. For instance, L’Oreal hair colours come in a range of rich and vibrant varieties, from natural-looking tones and shades, as well as a selection of brighter, more intense colours. Plus, they will also keep your hair healthy. This is as a result of their fine-tuned formula, where these dyes strengthen your hair fibres, giving them a glossy look and soft, silky texture.

Where Can I Buy Temporary & Semi Permanent Hair Dye?

The new you is just around the corner – all you need is the perfect hair dye. At Bellezza, we have a huge range of L’Oreal hair colours and more to choose from. Browse your favourite brands, including L’Oreal, and find professional-grade temporary and semi permanent dyes ready to be shipped all across Australia. It’s time for a colour change!

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