Semi vs. Demi vs. Permanent: How to Explain the Difference to Clients Clearly

Clients often come into the chair knowing they want “color”—but not necessarily which kind. As stylists, we know the difference between semi, demi, and permanent hair color makes or breaks results, but explaining it without technical jargon is the real skill. Here’s a clear way to break it down so clients understand what they’re committing to:

Semi-Permanent: The Wash-Out Experiment

Semi-permanent color is like a trial run. It coats the outside of the hair and lasts about 4–12 washes. Great for fashion shades, shine boosts, or first-time color clients. The upside? No damage, no commitment. The limitation? It won’t lighten hair or give lasting gray coverage.

How to explain it to clients:
“Think of this like lip gloss—it adds shine and tone, but fades away without a trace.”

Demi-Permanent: The Middle Ground

Demi-permanent uses a low-volume developer, so it deposits color just beneath the cuticle without fully penetrating the cortex. It lasts longer than semi (about 20–28 washes) and is perfect for blending grays, refreshing faded color, or trying something richer without the grow-out line of permanent.

How to explain it to clients:
“This is like tinted moisturizer—it lasts longer than gloss, evens everything out, and gently fades instead of showing a harsh root.”

Permanent: The Long-Term Relationship

Permanent color opens the cuticle fully and changes the hair from the inside out. It gives the most dramatic results: complete gray coverage, lifting natural pigment, or transforming tone. But with that power comes commitment—you’ll see a root line as the hair grows and regular touch-ups are required.

How to explain it to clients:
“This is like foundation—it completely changes the canvas and doesn’t wash away, so it requires upkeep.”