Choosing between permanent and semi-permanent hair colour isn't just about how long your colour lasts. It's also about how you want your hair to look, feel and grow out over time.

If you're colouring at home, understanding the difference can help you choose a formula that suits your hair, your lifestyle and your long-term colour goals.

At MIIROKO, we chose to create a salon-quality demi-permanent colour because we believe beautiful colour shouldn't come at the expense of your hair's condition.

Permanent hair colour works by opening the hair cuticle with a higher-strength alkaline agent, allowing colour pigments to penetrate deeply into the hair.

Because the colour is deposited inside the hair, it doesn't simply wash out. Instead, the colour grows out over time as your natural roots appear.

Permanent colour is often chosen for:

• 100% grey coverage*
• Significant colour changes
• Lightening natural hair
• Long-term colour transformations

While permanent colour offers lasting results, it also requires more maintenance. As your hair grows, you'll typically notice a visible line of regrowth that needs regular touch-ups.

*Be careful with this, 100% grey coverage means your nautral hair colour has been changed. This leads to strong regrowth lines as your natural (and greys) start to come back. We recommend 80% grey coverage as it soften the lines and is not so obivious.

Demi-permanent colour (sometimes grouped under semi-permanent colour) uses a much gentler developer and deposits colour without permanently altering your natural pigment.

Rather than creating a harsh line of regrowth, the colour gradually softens over time.

That's why many people choose demi-permanent colour when they want:

• Natural-looking colour
• Soft, blended grow-out, 70-90% grey coverage
• Beautiful shine
• Hair that feels healthy after colouring
• Less commitment between applications

MIIROKO is a salon-quality demi-permanent colour designed to last around 4–6 weeks, depending on your hair and routine.

Instead of an obvious regrowth line, the colour fades gradually, helping your hair look softer and more natural between colours.

Every head of hair is different, but most people can expect their colour to stay vibrant for around 4–6 weeks.

You'll notice the colour slowly becoming softer over time rather than disappearing overnight. This gradual fade is completely normal—and one of the biggest advantages of demi-permanent colour.

However, if your colour seems to fade much sooner than expected, there are usually a few simple reasons why.

Many people assume their hair colour is fading because the formula isn't strong enough.

In reality, the biggest factors are often what happens before, during and after colouring.

1. Washing your hair too soon

The first 48–72 hours after colouring are some of the most important.

During this time, the colour continues to settle into the hair. Washing too soon, especially with a clarifying shampoo, can encourage colour pigments to rinse away before they've fully settled.

We recommend:

• Wait 2–3 days before your first wash whenever possible.
• Avoid clarifying or deep-cleansing shampoos immediately after colouring.

2. Your everyday routine may be accelerating colour fade

Even the best colour will gradually fade, but certain everyday habits can make it happen much faster.

These include:

• Washing your hair too frequently
• Heat styling without protection
• UV exposure
• Swimming in chlorinated pools
• Using shampoos containing harsh cleansing ingredients

Gentle, colour-safe hair care helps your colour stay richer and shinier for longer.

3. Long-lasting colour starts with application

Great results begin before your first wash.

Even the highest-quality colour needs proper application to perform its best.

For the longest-lasting results:

• Fully saturate every section of hair.
• Take extra care around your roots and hairline.
• Follow the recommended processing time.
• If you're covering stubborn greys, use our 1:1 Grey Coverage Mix to maximise colour deposit.

A thorough application creates the foundation for colour that looks more even and lasts longer.

Small changes to your routine can make a noticeable difference.

We recommend:

1. Use the 1:1 Grey Coverage Mix
If you're colouring resistant greys, this application method helps maximise colour deposit where it's needed most.

2. Wait 2–3 days before washing
Giving your colour time to settle helps preserve vibrancy after colouring.

3. Use gentle, colour-safe hair care
Look for shampoos and conditioners specifically designed for coloured hair and avoid harsh cleansing formulas wherever possible.

4. Protect your colour from the elements
Heat styling, UV exposure and chlorine can all contribute to faster fading.

Whenever possible:

• Use a heat protectant before styling.
• Wear a hat when spending long periods in the sun.
• Rinse your hair before and after swimming in chlorinated pools.

If you're looking for maximum permanence or want to dramatically lighten your hair, permanent colour may be the better choice.

But if you prefer healthy-looking hair, beautiful shine, softer grow-out and a more natural-looking result, demi-permanent colour offers a gentler alternative.

At MIIROKO, we believe colour should enhance your hair, not compromise it. Our salon-quality demi-permanent formula is designed to leave hair looking glossy, feeling healthy and fading naturally over time.

Every head of hair is different.

Get in touch with our team for personalised colour advice.