How Long Does Permanent Hair Colour Last?

Have you ever wondered how long permanent hair colour really lasts? Here, we reveal everything you need to know about long-wear, lustrous shades, plus tips to keep your colour glowing in between salon visits…

So, How Long Does Permanent Hair Colour Last?

Of all the hair colour types available – including semi-permanent colour and demi-permanent shades – permanent hair colour gives you the longest-lasting, most lustrous results. Permanent hair colours are designed to last until the colour grows out or until you switch up your salon shade, but they can fade over time. This may take anywhere between 6-12 weeks, depending on how porous hair is or what condition it's in.

Your choice of hair care products also has a big impact on the lifespan of your permanent shade, which is why a consistent hair care routine is essential for a glossier, longer-lasting colour.

So, when you leave the salon, to get the longest wear out of your permanent colour, apply colour-safe hair care products consistently and prioritise protection, no matter if you're using hot tools, heading out in the sun or hitting the pool.

To get the longest wear out of your permanent colour, apply colour-safe hair care products consistently and prioritise protection, no matter if you're using hot tools, heading out in the sun or hitting the pool.

What's the Difference Between Permanent, Semi-Permanent and Demi-Permanent Colour?

Semi-permanent, demi-permanent and permanent hair colours all interact with your hair in different ways, which affects how long your shade lasts and how intense it appears. Let's take a closer look...

Permanent hair colour deposits colour molecules deep within the hair shaft. They do this by opening up and penetrating the layers that make up the hair cuticle. In doing so, they permanently alter the hair structure of the strands they touch (hence the name), so you get a long-lasting veil of your perfect shade with stunning intensity.

Demi-permanent hair colour works in a similar way but the pigment doesn't go as deep. It only slightly opens up the hair cuticle to deposit a small amount of colour molecules inside. For this reason, demi-permanent colours tend to be gentler on your hair (in fact, SHINEFINITY is a zero-damage formula), and a product like Color Touch will fade beautifully over 28 washes.

Semi-permanent hair colour only tints the outer layer of hair. It doesn't open the hair cuticle, so it has no effect on your hair's internal structure. For this reason, they don't tend to last as long as permanent or demi-permanent hair colours. You can expect your semi-permanent colour to fade over 10-20 washes.

The Best Permanent Hair Colours for a Long-Lasting Finish

Want to give permanent hair colour a go? As the No. 1 Salon Colour Brand in the World¹, Wella Professionals has you covered with products that meet your every need. Ultimately, your Wella colourist will be able to advise on the best product for your goals during your consultation, but it's always a good idea to head to your nearest salon with some research on your side. So, let's explore the formulas...

Koleston Perfect

Hair colourists love Koleston Perfect – so much so that one tube of the colour is sold every second. Dermatologically tested² and made with up to 85% naturally derived ingredients³, it features the innovative Metal Purifier to keep your hair healthy from colour to colour.

But what does that really mean? Usually, when permanent hair colours are applied to strands, they react to the metals that naturally exist in your hair. Copper is a common one, as it's transferred from pipes into the water you wash your hair with. When these metals and oxidative hair colours come into contact, the resulting shade can be impacted. However, the Metal Purifier in Koleston Perfect neutralises these metals, so your shade appears beautifully rich and true to tone.

Best of all, the collection of shade options is so extensive that any look is possible, whether you want a pastel mane, a radiant red, a dimensional brunette or this season's most-wanted blonde hair colour. Combine that with up to 100% grey hair coverage, and Koleston Perfect delivers a trending transformation that meets all of your needs.

Illumina Color

Luminous in every light, Illumina Color is the answer to youthful, radiant and 100% natural-looking permanent hair colour. It veils hair strands in Microtones to mimic the highs and lows in your hair, while Microlight Technology unlocks a beautiful glow from root to tip.

Plus, it comes in a varied palette of decadently warm and icy cool shades, letting you embrace seasonal trends with a lustrous hue that lasts. You can even try a pastel sheen with the Opal-Essence By Illumina Color collection, featuring pearlescent hues that may be worn alone or mixed with others for a personalised take on pastel hair.

Wear your Illumina shade from root to tip, with a balayage technique, in highlights, or even as a root shadow. Each shade gives you up to 100% grey coverage.

How Can I Make My Permanent Hair Colour Last Even Longer?

1. Wash With a Colour-Safe Shampoo

At the top of your agenda should be a colour-safe shampoo, specially formulated to keep those colour molecules intact for longer. At Wella, we offer a range of colour-locking cleansers for all hair types, whether your hair needs a dose of shine or deeply restorative care.

For Vibrancy: INVIGO Brilliance Color Protection Shampoo

Infused with antioxidant-rich Lime Caviar and Metal Purifier, this shine-boosting shampoo boasts a low pH formula to seal the cuticle after colouring, which increases colour retention. Follow up with the Vibrant Color Conditioner to complete this caring regimen. Both the shampoo and conditioner come in two versions – one for fine to medium hair and one for thick or coarse hair – so it's easy to enhance your colour while tending to your hair type's individual needs.

For Nourishment: ColorMotion+ Color Protection Shampoo

If your hair needs a little more nourishment, try this antioxidant-infused shampoo with Metal Purifier, which gently cleanses locks and offers up to 8 weeks of colour protection⁴. Fading free radicals are kept at bay, while strands are left shinier and stronger. Team it with the Moisturising Color Reflection Conditioner or, to take nourishment even further, the creamy Structure+ Hair Mask.

For Damage Repair: ULTIMATE REPAIR Shampoo

If you have damaged hair, this is your go-to saviour. It's infused with Metal Purifier and skincare-inspired ingredients to care for every hair type, from straight to wavy to curly to coily. There's AHA, which rebuilds the bonds inside each strand for a strong hair core, and Omega-9, which replenishes the outermost layer by filling in the damaged cuticle. Follow up with the ULTIMATE REPAIR Conditioner; an ultra-creamy formula that rinses clean to leave your hair weightlessly nourished.

2. Keep the Tap Set to Lukewarm

Avoid hot water when washing your hair, as it can stress out the hair shaft, strip protective oils away, and even open up the cuticle to allow permanent pigments to seep out. Instead, stick to lukewarm water. Then, after your conditioner has been rinsed out, you can also try a final blast of cold water to make your beautiful hair colour shine.

3. Repair Damaged Hair in 90 Seconds

Keeping permanent hair colour fresh isn't just about locking in pigments. The healthier and more hydrated your hair is, the glossier your shade is going to look. So, to prevent future stress and repair existing hair damage in 90 seconds⁵, discover ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue. This lightweight, liquid, leave-in treatment should be misted through clean, towel-dried hair, and then allowed to absorb for 90 seconds. After that, you can style your hair as you usually would – but now with 12x smoother hair⁶ and up to 99% less breakage⁷.

4. Protect Against the Fading Effects of Heat

The ultimate multitasker; ULTIMATE SMOOTH Miracle Oil Serum is a protective product and gloss booster in one, giving your coloured hair the dose of shine and shielding it craves. Not only does it protect hair from UV and heat damage, but it also gives you nourishment in 30 seconds with smoothness that lasts up to 3 days⁸. Layer it over ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue for a damage-defying power pair, and then reapply it in between wash days, whenever you need some extra glow.

5. Shield Hair Against Chlorine Damage

Hair is like a sponge. It soaks up any moisture it comes into contact with, but it also reaches a saturation point, which is when it stops absorbing liquid. Keep this in mind if you're a regular at your nearest swimming pool. To protect your hair from the colour-fading effects of chlorine, soak strands with clean, pure water before plunging into the pool. This way, your hair won't be able to soak up as much of the chlorine; instead, it will be protected by the fresh water it's already absorbed.

6. Top Up with a Colour-Depositing Conditioner

It's easy to refresh your permanent colour in between salon visits. All you need is a spare 10 minutes and the Color Fresh Mask in a shade that best matches your own. There's a wide range to choose from, including cool blondes, warm brunettes, pastels and rainbow brights. So, when you want to top your tone up at home, simply apply your chosen mask to clean, damp hair, in place of conditioner, then allow it to absorb for 10 minutes. Once rinsed, your permanent colour will appear salon-fresh.

Now you've got the full lowdown on permanent hair colour, discover trending looks to try at your nearest Wella salon. We've got all the inspiration you need for a next-level look.

¹ Based on Wella Master Brand USD sales on the 2022 Salon Hair Care Study for the hair colouring products category published by Kline.

² Dermatologically tested for skin irritation – an allergic reaction may still occur – always perform an Allergy Alert Test.

³ From 80% to 85% depending on the shade except Special Blonde.

⁴ When using Structure+ Mask.

⁵ When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue.

⁶ Vs. non-conditioning shampoo.

⁷ When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue. Instrumental test versus non-conditioning shampoo.

⁸ When using ULTIMATE SMOOTH Miracle Oil Serum, if unwashed for 3 days, vs. untreated.