The Ultimate Guide to Hair Colour: Semi-Permanent vs. Permanent Ammonia-Free vs. Permanent Colour

Choosing the right hair colour can be overwhelming, especially with so many options available. At Charlie's Hair and Beauty, we stock the best professional brands to help you achieve your perfect hair colour. But what’s the difference between semi-permanent, permanent ammonia-free, and permanent colour? Let’s break it down using three of our most popular hair colour ranges:

1. Semi-Permanent Colour – Wella Color Touch

Best for: Those who want rich colour without long-term commitment.

How it works:
Wella Color Touch is a semi-permanent hair dye that doesn’t contain ammonia. Instead, it uses a gentle, low-volume developer to deposit colour onto the hair shaft without fully opening the cuticle. This makes it perfect for enhancing natural colour, toning highlights, or blending first greys.

• Lasts: Around 20 washes
• Does not lighten hair
• Adds shine & depth
• Low maintenance – No harsh root regrowth
• Perfect for: First-time colour users or those who love to switch up their tone

Shop Wella Color Touch here: Charlie's Hair and Beauty

2. Permanent Ammonia-Free Colour – L’Oréal INOA

Best for: Those who want long-lasting colour with less damage and no strong odour.

How it works:
L’Oréal INOA (Innovation No Ammonia) is a permanent hair colour that replaces ammonia with an oil-based delivery system. This allows colour to penetrate deeply while keeping hair soft and hydrated.

• Long-lasting colour with 100% grey coverage
• No ammonia = No harsh smell or irritation
• Hydrating formula – Leaves hair feeling silky
• Can lighten hair by up to 3 levels
• Great for sensitive scalps

If you’re looking for healthy-looking, vibrant colour with zero ammonia, INOA is a great choice!

Shop L’Oréal INOA here: Charlie's Hair and Beauty

3. Permanent Colour – L’Oréal Majirel

Best for: Those who want full grey coverage and long-lasting, vibrant colour.

How it works:
L’Oréal Majirel is a permanent, ammonia-based hair dye that offers deep penetration for long-lasting results. It’s perfect for those who want strong colour changes, lightening, or darkening while maintaining hair strength and shine.

• 100% grey coverage
• Can lighten hair up to 3 levels
• Long-lasting colour with rich pigments
• Best for those looking for a dramatic or bold change
• Ideal for covering stubborn greys

If you want a bold, intense, and fully opaque colour result, Majirel is your go-to!

Shop L’Oréal Majirel here: Charlie's Hair and Beauty

Which One is Right for You?

Want a short-term change with shine? → Go for Wella Color Touch

Want long-lasting colour without ammonia? → Choose L’Oréal INOA

Want full grey coverage & vibrant colour? → Opt for L’Oréal Majirel

No matter the type of hair colour you want you can get your perfect colour at Charlie’s Hair & Beauty!

We stock the best professional hair colour brands to help you achieve salon-quality results. Whether you want a subtle glow or a bold transformation, we’ve got the perfect shade for you!

Remember these hair colours are professional products so we always recommend getting your hair colour treated in a salon, and always have your colouring carried out by a professional. 

Shop Hair Colour Now: Charlie's Hair and Beauty

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