Does Demi-Permanent Colour Cover Grey Hair?
There are so many benefits of using a demi-permanent hair colour. Low to no damage? Tick. High-shine results? Tick. True-to-tone fading? Tick, tick, tick. But when it comes to covering grey hair, how does a demi shade perform? We've got the answers you're looking for, plus two salon colours that meet all your grey blending needs...
So, Can You Cover Greys with Demi-Permanent Hair Colour?
If you have grey hair, a demi-permanent colour will blend rather than cover up silver strands, so you get a touch of seamless, natural-looking camouflage. It's a great option if you want to simply make greys less noticeable, rather than blocking them out completely. And, with Wella Professionals, your colourist can personalize your level of blending to suit your goals. Different products give you different results, so before you head to the salon, get familiar with these two demi-permanent hair colour options:
For Up to 70% Grey Coverage: Color Touch
Our iconic demi-permanent Color Touch is known for its richness and vibrancy, and with 80+ intermixable shades, you can blend away greys in every colour imaginable. Blondes, reds, brunettes and bolds – any shade is possible, whether you want a root shadow, an all-over boost of colour, or the perfect toner for highlights and balayage. What’s more, it gives you up to 70% grey coverage (with Color Touch Plus), so stray silver and white strands are gently swept away in favour of a lustrous wash of colour.
For (Very) Subtle Grey Blending: SHINEFINITY
To go softer and subtler, a SHINEFINITY Colour Glaze will lightly tint grey hairs with a veil of translucent colour and the most irresistible shine you can feel. This ammonia-free hair colour gives you a zero damage, zero lift glaze for the glossiest mane, so it’s good for an ultra-gentle take on grey blending that appears completely natural. You'll still be able to see grey hairs, but they'll be softer and less noticeable, intertwining with your base colour and appearing truly radiant.
To start your grey blending journey with Color Touch or SHINEFINITY, use our Salon Finder to find your nearest Wella Professionals salon. Soon, you'll be enjoying the benefits of these dreamy formulas at your next colour appointment.
Who Should Use a Demi-Permanent Hair Colour?
Natural-looking grey blending is just one of the reasons to use a demi-permanent hair colour. Here are some of the extra benefits you'll enjoy with a demi shade:
No to Low Damage Hair Colouring
Demi-permanent colours tint your hair by very gently lifting the outer cuticle, so that colour molecules can rush in and deposit your dream shade. But, because they don't go very deep, they have little impact on the condition of your hair. In fact, SHINEFINITY gives you zero damage, glossy colour with its ultra-gentle formula.
Rich, Brilliant Colour
Color Touch is your 'no compromise' colour. With stunning intensity on par with permanent formulas, it adorns hair in rich vibrancy, no matter your shade. So, along with grey blending, you get bold colour for every hair type and texture. This is your demi formula for nailing 2025's most show-stopping hair colour trends.
Mirror-Like Shine
Because who doesn't want shiny hair? Both Color Touch and SHINEFINITY leave strands glossy and radiant, with a SHINEFINITY Colour Glaze serving up the highest level of luminosity. So, if healthy-looking hair is on the agenda, this demi colour coating will transform a dull mane, giving even dehydrated strands a more lustrous look.
Softer Regrowth
If harsh regrowth is a no-go for you, demi-permanent colours deliver on that seamless finish. Color Touch, for example, lasts for up to 28-ish washes, so by the time your roots grow through, the intensity of your colour will have softened. This also makes demi-permanent shades one of the best types of hair colour for a low-commitment look, so if you like to switch your shade regularly, Color Touch and SHINEFINITY are for you.
True-to-Tone Colour Fading
As your demi-permanent hair colour fades, the tone remains intact. Ash tones stay ashy, chocolate browns stay chocolatey, and copper reds stay coppery as they gradually soften. Over time, your shade – and your grey coverage – will wash away, ready for a fresh coating of colour roughly every 6-7 weeks.
Want 100% Grey Coverage?
When it's full grey coverage you want, ask for a permanent hair colour. Because these formulas penetrate the hair cuticle deeper, they give a more intense result (even on those really stubborn strands). Your colourist will be able to advise which formula is right for you based on your goals, but if you want to do some research of your own, these are the permanent colours to know:
Koleston Perfect
Silver strands don't stand a chance against this permanent formula, with its stunning intensity, beautiful shine and full grey coverage. There's a reason one tube of Koleston Perfect is sold every second* across the world; when it comes to rich, healthy-looking colour that lasts, it's your perfect colour product.
Illumina Color
For 100% natural-looking colour, the full coverage of Illumina Color has got you. Multi-dimensional and luminous, it harnesses microtones that mimic the highs and lows of virgin hair. So, if you want to keep your coloured hair a secret– and keep silver strays under wraps – this is your ideal grey coverage option.
Can You Combine Demi-Permanent and Permanent Hair Colour?
Yes! With Koleston Perfect and Color Touch, you can combine the benefits of permanent and demi-permanent shades. They both have similar vibrancy, so your colourist could team them up like this:
On the Roots: Koleston Perfect
If you have grey regrowth you want to disappear, ask for Koleston Perfect and a classic root coverage. Your colourist can paint it over silver hair strands to give you that full coverage, 'not a grey in sight' finish.
On Lengths and Ends: Color Touch
Alongside your full coverage root shadow, you can enjoy the low-damage benefits of Color Touch through your lengths and ends. Whether it's used to enhance your natural colour or transform your shade, it blends flawlessly with Koleston Perfect on the roots.
Can You Use Demi-Permanent Colour to Transition to Grey?
Ready to wholeheartedly embrace your greys? If you want to go full-on silver, Color Touch can help, with a range of cool blonde and charcoal hues that mimic natural greys. Talk to your colourist about transitioning to grey, and they will often recommend a full head of highlights, followed by a toning session, and maybe a few Color Touch lowlights for salt 'n' pepper strands. A demi-permanent colour will minimise the impact on your hair's condition as you go through this process. It may take a few sessions if you have dark hair, but by the end, a striking silver mane will be yours.
Looking for more ways to disguise or embrace grey hair? Discover our Grey Coverage Guides, with ideas for every hair type, colour and style.