Colour that is richer in tone (eg red) or darker than your natural hair colour can be easily created with a demi or semi permanent colour.

Images on this page are all from Caterina Di Biase @ Heading Out Hair & Beauty, Melbourne, Australia.

Semi-Permanent or Demi Permenant Colour: Colour that fades out

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The two names are often used to describe the same type of colour although a "demi" lasts longer than a "semi". They are designed to fade gradually. Depending on the exact manufacturers range, they last between 6 and 8 weeks, some will last even longer. They are applied to all of your hair and will change the reflect (copper, red, chocolate etc.) or darken it. In-salon application would take less than an hour then add you cut and blow-dry time.

The Positives:

Conditioner based so will improve the condition of your hair.
If you have never tried colour in your hair before these are a great introduction without the commitment of having to keep the colour up.
These are the best types of colour to use in conjunction with a perm to maintain condition. The other advantage of a semi-permanent colour is that perms will fade your coloured hair and a semi-permanent colour can be done on the same day as your perm to refresh your look (you have to wait a week between a perm and a permanent colour).
Semi/Demi-permanent colours are generally a cheaper service than a permanent colour.
If you have a tendency to want to try new colours all the time this is a good way to go as long as you let each one fully fade away before doing the next.
Can be used in conjunction with a permanent colour, by your hairdresser, to keep the ends of your hair healthy and looking freshly coloured.

The Negatives:

Will not lighten your hair. Although on rare occasions, if you have naturally very fine hair some lightening may occur.
Will only give partial coverage on grey hair, the amount of coverage varies with differing brands (30 to 70%).
They gradually fade out over a period of weeks or washes so the colour changes quite a bit as it does this, and you may not like all of the stages of faded colour.
If your hair is very fine or you repeat too often (before the last one fades out) you will get a re-growth.
May require an allergy test if you are worried.
Your own colour will effect the results possible.

At the end of the day, there are many different types of semi-permanent colours on the market and a consultation with your hairdresser will be the way to choose the best one for you. Check out changing your hair colour for even more detail.

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