Which type of hair color provides the most long-lasting results?

Permanent color is designed to provide the most long-lasting results because it involves a chemical process that lifts the natural pigment from the hair and deposits new color into the hair shaft. This type of color typically contains ammonia or another alkaline agent that opens the hair cuticle, allowing color molecules to enter and bond with the hair. As a result, permanent color is resistant to washing out and tends to fade more slowly over time, maintaining vibrancy and depth longer than other types of hair color.

In contrast, temporary color products only coat the hair shaft and do not penetrate it, meaning they will wash out after a few shampoos. Demi-permanent color lasts longer than temporary because it partially penetrates the shaft without the use of ammonia, but it still doesn’t have the staying power of permanent color. Highlights, while they can provide a beautiful lightening effect, often use a combination of lightening agents and may not provide uniform or total coverage like a permanent color would, contributing to a shorter lifespan of the color on the hair.