Can You Mix Semi Permanent Hair Dye with Permanent Hair Dye?

We are happy to know that you have started thinking out of the box to try out different tips and tricks for hair coloring. As you have shown interest to know if you can mix semi-permanent and permanent hair dye, the answer won’t be that simple to write in few words.

This needs various factors to understand the why, what, and how for the mixing process.

To begin with, we don’t think it is a good idea to mix semi-permanent and permanent hair dyes. We have reasons to justify our statement, but before we discuss those let’s understand the differences between semi-permanent and permanent hair dyes.

Semi-Permanent Hair Dye

These hair dyes are also referred to as gloss hair dyes as they are known to add shine and freshness to your hair.

Semi-permanent hair dyes help the coloring process without lightening or darkening the original hair color.

In simple words, these dyes do not change the hair color permanently and are considered safer. Also, semi-permanent hair dyes do not help to cover gray hair. Thus, it is amazing to add looks and try different colors regularly.

Permanent Hair Dye

Permanent hair colors contain more chemicals than semi-permanent. Most people prefer to get it done at the salon. It is due to several processes involved in permanent color.

Permanent hair dye involves extracting natural color from the pigment and changing the hair color.

Once you do the permanent hair color, you don’t need to go for a re-touch for up to 4 to 6 weeks. Permanent hair dyes share a bad rapport due to the ill effects they create on the hair making them weak, dull, and brittle.

Thus, most people prefer the semi-permanent color unless they are willing to go for the permanent one.

Can you mix semi-permanent hair dye with permanent hair dye?

99% of people have mentioned that you should not mix these two days and they have reasons to justify their statement.

The main reasons why most people advise you not to mix semi-permanent and permanent dyes:

  • Both products are manufactured differently and thus the components, as well as chemicals used, are different too.
  • Both the hair dyes work differently on your hair and may give you confusing results.
  • Both the dyes are like mercury/oil and water. They cannot be mixed to get the desired results as they will fail to mix properly.
  • Semi-permanent dyes are ammonia-free and are gentler compared to permanent hair dyes.
  • On the other side, permanent hair dyes help to color the hair shafts, cuticles, cortex, and even the deeper hair roots. Semi-permanent hair dyes fail to do all these. Semi-permanent or temporary hair dyes help to refresh the dull-colored hair, lighten the hair, deposit more hair color, and add highlights to the base color.
  • Lastly, both the dyes need different types of developers and aftercare tips. The volume in the developer will also change based on factors like hair color, the volume of hair, quality, and condition of hair.
  • Semi-permanent dyes can be a part of DIY however; most hair experts will recommend you to visit a salon for permanent hair color.

What happens when you mix semi-permanent and permanent hair dye?

The color of the hair will spread unevenly and fade unevenly as well. In some cases, the color of the hair will result in totally different colors after few washes. You may also have to go for the re-dyeing option with the help of a professional hair expert.

Too many hair dyes and washes may also result in hair dryness. Until you wish you an unexpected multicolor option, we suggest you avoid facing the consequences of mixing these two different types of dyes.

As an alternative, you can go for permanent hair color over semi-permanent colored hair. However, you need to learn the time interval between these two applications. Going vice-versa is possible too but, you need to choose darker semi-permanent hair color to apply on permanent colored hair.

With certain precautions, you can make your semi-permanent hair dye last longer similar to permanent hair dyes.

Few recommended Semi-Permanent and Permanent Hair dyes for you:

Semi Permanent Hair Dyes:

Permanent Hair Dyes:

Final Words:

Now that you know mixing two different colors is possible but, mixing two different types of hair dyes is not advisable. Don’t be open to unwanted experiments or you will end up spending more money on re-touches and treatments.

Stick to the standard process of dyeing and experiment with oodles of colors available in both, semi-permanent and permanent hair dyes. We hope you are clear on what you were looking for in mixing dyes.