One of the most fun and dramatic ways to switch up your beauty look is by changing your hair color. Whether you decide to stay within natural hair colors or venture out into bolder, brighter shades, it is undoubtedly a surefire way to shake things up. As fun as it is though, it can be a little intimidating, especially if you’re a hair color newbie. Thankfully though, there are formulas such as demi-permanent hair color that provide instant color and last a while but don’t require commitment.

You may have already heard of semi-permanent hair color, and while that’s another great option for testing the waters before committing to a new shade, demi-permanent dye uses a different type of formula and lasts longer. This makes it perfect for people looking to experiment with hair color and really get a sense for what it’s like to live with it for a while.

There is so much to learn about the science of hair coloring, so to best understand what demi-permanent hair color is, how long it lasts, whether or not all hair types will benefit from using it, and more, we turned to three professional hair experts to get their intel. Keep reading for everything you need to know about this type of dye.

What Is Demi-Permanent Hair Color?

Demi-permanent hair color is an amonia-free, color-depositing hair treatment that alters the color of your hair without effecting your base shade. However, it’s important to differentiate demi-permanent hair color between crème and liquid formulas. According to celebrity colorist Zoë Carpenter, a crème demi-permanent hair color is an alkaline, ammonia-free product that comes in a variety of shades and has the ability to either cover gray hair or blend hair color in a natural manner. In other words, it’s not nearly as harsh as permanent hair color since it doesn’t lift your base.

“This technology allows a wide range of hair color choices with lots of depth and dimension,” Carpenter says. “It also allows for tone-enhancing contour and lowlights without any damage to the hair strand.”

On the other side of the spectrum, demi-permanent liquid color is a bit different. “A liquid formula is great if you want to tone, blend, and add shine,” says Carpenter. “It’s also customizable, so you can make it as sheer or as subtle as you’d like. It’s the perfect antidote if you’re a bit color-shy or are new to color entirely.”

Demi vs. Semi-Permanent Color: What’s the Difference?

The main difference between demi and semi-permanent color is their longevity. “A semi-color sits on the surface of the hair strand, making the color short-lived,” says celebrity hairstylist Tippi Shorter. Alvarez says that semi-permanent hair color is also referred to as a stain, gloss, or toner. Demi color enters the first layer of the hair strand allowing the color to blend with your hair color and last slightly longer than semi-permanent color. Both semi and demi-permanent colors are popular for their ability to offer low-commitment color changes – especially for those with gray hair. Demi-permanent color can blend with gray slightly, but if you’re looking for maximum gray coverage, our experts recommend you go with permanent hair color.

How Long Does Demi-Permanent Hair Color Last?

“The color coats the outside of the hair and changes the tone rather than the color, so this type of color usually lasts between five to 12 washes,” confirms hairstylist Cynthia Alvarez.

The Benefits of Demi-Permanent Hair Color

In addition to being an excellent option for women with textured hair (it won’t alter or damage your curl pattern), Alvarez explains a few other key benefits of demi-permanent hair color as well: “Demi-permanent hair color results in a more obvious change for someone who wants to avoid damage or anything that’s going to look like an ultra-dramatic change.” As mentioned, this kind of formula doesn’t contain any ammonia, but it does have just enough peroxide to open up the hair cuticle so that a suitable amount of color will be absorbed.

Hair Type Considerations

Yes! Since the color does not change the hair significantly, demi-permanent hair color is safe for all hair types. However, if you’re looking to lighten your hair, demi-permanent probably isn’t the way to go. “It does a better job of darkening hair than semi-permanent [dye] does, but it doesn’t lighten hair,” Alvarez confirms.

How to Remove Demi-Permanent Hair Color

In addition to opting for an in-salon solution, Alvarez also suggests regularly using a clarifying shampoo as a safe way to remove unwanted demi-permanent hair color. “You can accelerate the fading process of a semi-permanent color by using a clarifying shampoo a few times a day. These shampoos are meant to strip your hair of all products and will quickly fade your color.

One word of caution: These types of shampoos can be excessively drying to your strands as it strips away moisture in addition to the hair color, so just be sure to follow suit with an ultra-moisturizing conditioner or hair mask.

How to Get Demi-Permanent Hair Color At Home

“Since the color won’t be so dramatic, you won’t have to worry about applying the dye perfectly,” says Alvarez, adding that if you’ve never dyed your own hair before and are worried that you’ll mess things up, a demi-permanent color is the perfect formula to start with. “You can always switch to a permanent dye later on if you liked the results,” she explains. We recommend choosing a brand from our list of tested hair dyes, which include options from L’Oreal and Clairol.

Extremely hydrating (due to a helping hand of strengthening wheat amino acids), this pick from Alvarez delivers unparalleled shine (thanks to shimmer-inducing silicone) and a non-harsh, hair-safe formula.