Demi vs permanent: where Color Touch fits in

Color Touch is Wella’s demi-permanent — no ammonia, no harsh regrowth line. Here’s when to choose it over a permanent.

Range guide30 May 20265 min read

Color Touch is a demi-permanent: it deposits tone and shine without lifting, contains no ammonia, and fades softly with no harsh regrowth line. Choose it for toning, refreshing, glossing and grey blending — and reach for a permanent when you need lift or solid grey coverage.

The short answer

  • Demi = deposit only, no lift, no ammonia, soft fade.
  • Permanent = lifts and deposits, covers grey solidly, grows out with a line.
  • Color Touch is ideal for toning, gloss, refreshing ends and blending early grey.
  • Mixed 1:2 with Color Touch Emulsion (1.9% or 4%).

What demi-permanent actually means

A demi-permanent colour deposits tone into the hair without lifting the natural pigment, using a low-strength emulsion rather than a high-volume developer. Because there’s no ammonia and no real lift, it’s gentle, adds genuine shine, and fades gradually and evenly — so there’s no stark regrowth line as it wears off. It can’t make hair lighter, only add or adjust tone.

Where Color Touch shines

  • Toning freshly lifted blonde to kill brass.
  • Adding gloss and richness to mid-lengths and ends.
  • Refreshing faded colour between permanent appointments.
  • Blending the first greys for a soft, natural look.
  • Low-commitment colour changes for cautious clients.

When to choose a permanent instead

If you need to lift the hair lighter, or you need solid coverage of resistant or high-percentage grey that lasts, a permanent such as Koleston Perfect or Illumina Color is the right tool. A simple way to decide: if the job is about tone, shine or blending, think demi; if it’s about lift or full coverage, think permanent.

Color Touch is typically mixed 1:2 with Color Touch Emulsion (1.9% for the gentlest result, 4% for a touch more) — confirm against the current instructions for your shade.

Whichever you choose, follow the current Wella instructions, complete the 48-hour allergy test and strand test before the service.

Quick questions

Does Color Touch lift hair?
No — it’s a demi-permanent that deposits tone and shine without lifting. To go lighter you need a lightener or a high-lift permanent.
How long does Color Touch last?
It fades gradually over several weeks with no harsh regrowth line; longevity depends on the shade, the hair and home care.

Wella, Koleston Perfect, Illumina Color, Color Touch, Shinefinity, Blondor and Color Fresh are trademarks of their respective owner. Hair Colour Supplies is an independent stockist, not affiliated with or endorsed by Wella. On-screen colours are indicative only.

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