The good, bad & ugly of Semi-Permanent Colored Shampoos & Conditioners

Let’s discuss the pros and cons of semi-permanent colored shampoos and conditioners

Fashion colored hair is all the rage right now, and using an at home semi-permanent shampoo or conditioner packed with your pick of fun color pigment may seem like an easy way to achieve a new look; not all home methods may be the right choice for you. Please note, none of these at home semi-permanent color choices will give you the guaranteed results that a salon and professional hairstylist will.  Buyers must beware, and after seeing some good and bad experiences, I thought it may be nice to inform people of some of things to expect from trying these types of products at home.  I’ll try to cover some facts on these for the good, the bad, and the ugly to help you make a decision on when methods may be right, or not right for you.

The good:

First of all, I am not here to trash talk these at home solutions for a fun color change, or up keep.  I think it’s incredible to have the options we all now have at home to upkeep some fun fashion color, I’ve used some of them myself when whatever I had going on with my hair color warranted use (right now I have three drastically different colors in my hair, so now is definitely NOT the time!).  I’m not going to get to brand specific here, just really here to inform how semi-permanent colored shampoos and conditioners work.

I love how after giving a client a great, professionally done bleach retouch, or highlight that we then cover with a fun vivid purple, or color of their choice. Afterwards, they can purchase a product they can maintain that color they fall in love with until they’re over it.  Rather than it slowing fading away right away on them.  It’s also an easy way for a red head or copper-top to keep their color vibrant between visits.

Another perk of these products, with advisement of your hairstylist, you can shift the color you have in your hair when you’re wanting a change.  When I say shift a color, I mean using the color wheel to take what color is on your hair now then add a different color to it to create a whole new color.  For example: you may have faded blue hair and want to go more green, adding some greenish yellow to your hair may help you achieve a cool new green color.  I’ve done this myself with faded rose gold hair before, I used a pastel blue which turned a pretty violet color with my more faded ends being a slate blue color.  Super fun, all I had to do was shampoo my hair to do it!

Semi-Permanent Colored Shifts

The bad:

Depending on the color you’re using, semi-permanent colored shampoos and conditioners can make a MESS of your bathroom, shower, your hands, towels, etc!!!!  Colored shampoos, and generally anything with color usually contains direct dyes, reds, blues, purples, etc. any porous/absorbent surface will suck the color right up (your hair included, so beware when choosing a color if you’re someone who doesn’t like color too bold).  I find it best to wet down every surface in the shower before even opening the bottle, and then when applying to hair applying very carefully, with gloves if using a darker color, and not whipping your hair all over the place.

If possible, while you leave products set on your hair for a few minutes, clip your hair up with a clip you don’t mind getting stained, and rinse all the excess color off of yourself, or you could end up looking like a mono-toned blue, crazy person!  Proceed with rinsing again carefully, and rinsing excessively well, I like to hold my hair out from myself the best I can so that color goes straight to the drain.

The ugly:

If you’re someone who is just wanting to try some purple hair for a week, or likes to change your color often, semi-permanent colored shampoos and conditioners aren’t always as desirable as you think.  This is especially the case for my bleached blonde madams, your hair tends to be more absorbent and will hold onto that color a lot longer than you think.  These products are more of a color stain, they actually stain the cuticle of your hair, rather than just depositing pigment, which is why they don’t fade as well, and will not come out with a color remover or bleach.

I’ve also seen these semi-permanent colored shampoos and conditioners, after use, fade pretty ugly.  Sometimes you could end up with a blue color that you didn’t realize had a green undertone to it, so it fades green, and I’ve seen that green stick around and not be able to come out.  If this is something that’s happened to you, you’ll want to talk to your stylist about “shifting” your color, so applying a color next to that color on that color wheel that may be more desirable to you next.

Another ugly fact, if you are someone who doesn’t take enough time to work the semi-permanent colored shampoos and conditioners evenly through your hair, and rather may just slap it on, you WILL be able to tell!  It will be a splotchy mess, sometimes it is better to take these products in for your stylist to apply for you during a service, this will guarantee the best result.  Now I will say not all stylists are willing to do this, if they have products or color they’d prefer to use, make sure you ask before you assume they will help you so you aren’t disappointed.

Semi-Permanent Colored Shampoos and Conditioners – The Ugly

My personal experience:

I’ve personally used and had luck with a few brands of semi permanent shampoos and conditioners.  First of all, Arctic Fox is freaking amazing.  Easy to apply, VIBRANT and bold colors, and from what I’ve seen fade quite quickly over previously bleached hair for a lower commitment option.  Same as Overtone, I love how overtone for each shade has a pastel version, a vibrant version, and extreme, for whatever amount of color you want.  With Overtone you get the most results out of the “Coloring Conditioner,” the daily shampoo and conditioner from them I don’t feel is necessary.  I’ve also really liked Watercolor Shampoo by Tressa Professional.  Because it is a shampoo it is so easy to lather and apply, let sit for a few minutes, rinse, and repeat if you want it deeper.  I love that the colors start at pastel so you can ease into a bolder look.

Would you, or have you tried a product like any of these to get some fashion hair?  What’s worked for you or what tips can you share that made the process better for you?  Also, if you like keeping up with me “Mallory Cook” visit “what’s trending” below.