Demi Colour vs Grey Hair Blending — What Stylists Don’t Always Tell You

Natalie Varrasso
7 minutes ago
5 min read

If you’ve been told that a “Demi colour” will help you blend your greys and eliminate the need for regular touch-ups, you’re not alone.Across social media and even within salons, the term Demi is being used loosely — and often misleadingly — to describe a service that promises a soft grow-out, long-lasting colour, and no visible regrowth line.

As a grey hair transition and colour blending specialist, I want to help you understand what a Demi really is, what it can and can’t do, and when it’s actually a beautiful option versus when it might be holding you back from your true goals.

What a True Colour Blending Result Should Look Like

When you’re moving towards a grey hair transition or a low-maintenance colour blend, the goal is simple:

Softer regrowth that doesn’t scream for attention every 3–4 weeks.
Colour placement that harmonises with your natural tones.
The freedom to visit the salon once or twice a year for refreshes.

A professional colour blending process should achieve these results within 1–3 salon visits (depending on your hair’s current condition, desired result, and complexity).If, after three appointments, you’re still not seeing your hair blending in the way you were promised, it’s often a sign that there was:

A miscommunication between you and your stylist, or
A lack of advanced knowledge in how to perform true grey hair blending techniques.

So, where does a Demi colour fit into this picture?

What Is a Demi Colour, Really?

A Demi-permanent colour is a low-ammonia colour formula that deposits pigment into the hair without lightening it. It’s often described as a “gentler” alternative to permanent colour because it gradually fades over several weeks instead of growing out with a harsh line.

Sounds ideal, right?That’s where things can get confusing.

When a Demi is used on white or grey hair, it can create a transparent veil of colour — meaning it softens the white without fully covering it. This transparency can look lovely, but here’s the catch: a Demi is typically applied just like a permanent tint, coating the roots and natural pigmented hair in the same way.

The result?On your darker strands, the Demi deposits stronger pigment (because there’s already colour for it to attach to), while on your white hairs, it leaves only a sheer wash of tone.

Over time, this creates an uneven fade and a new regrowth issue — your white hairs reappear, but your darker hairs hold onto the pigment far longer.

Why a Demi Isn’t the Same as Grey Hair Blending

Here’s the truth that often gets lost in online promises:A Demi colour cannot deliver the same long-term results as a true grey hair blending service or transition plan.

Grey hair blending is a technique, not a formula. It’s about strategically placing tones and highlights to mimic your natural growth pattern and soften the line between your coloured and uncoloured hair.

A Demi, by contrast, is a product — one that’s designed for shine and tonal refreshment, not structural blending.

When you’re told a Demi will:

“Let you go 6 months without needing a colour,” or
“Completely remove the regrowth line,”

…those claims are misleading. The only “truth” in them is that a Demi is sheer enough that your white hairs may still be visible — but the darker hair underneath will always hold the colour longer, creating contrast once again.

So, Is There Ever a Place for a Demi?

Absolutely — when used intentionally and communicated clearly during a professional consultation.

A Demi colour can be a beautiful choice if:

You’re not aiming to go fully natural just yet.
You have a high percentage of white hair (almost a full head).
You simply want a softer, more translucent colour that doesn’t give harsh coverage.
You are comfortable with still having softer regrowth line

In this case, a Demi can enhance shine, tone, and dimension while keeping a delicate transparency that flatters naturally white hair.

But if you still have a mix of pigmented and white strands — light brown, dark blonde, red, or brunette tones — applying a Demi to all of it can actually create more contrast and leave you with an ongoing regrowth problem.

The Takeaway

Demi colours absolutely have their place, but they’re not the magic solution to a low-maintenance, long-lasting grey hair blend.The secret to a seamless, soft, and extended grow-out lies in the technique, not the product.

If you’re ever unsure what your stylist means when they suggest a Demi or a blending service, don’t be afraid to ask:

“How will this colour fade and grow out?”
“Will it change the darker hair or just tone the white?”
“How many visits will it take to achieve the final result?”

Understanding the language of colour empowers you to make choices that align with your true goals — whether that’s embracing your natural silver, softening your regrowth, or simply finding freedom from constant colouring.

By Natalie Varrasso

FAQs About Demi-Permanent Colour and Grey Hair

Q: What is a Demi colour? A Demi (or Demi-permanent colour) is a low-ammonia colour formula that deposits pigment into the hair without lightening it. It gradually fades in its richness like all artificial hair colours do, but leaves a less intense demarkation regrowth line. Demi colours are often used to add shine or refresh tone but are not designed for long-term grey blending.

Q: Does a Demi colour cover grey hair? A Demi can soften the appearance of grey hair but does not fully cover it. On white strands, the result is translucent and allows some of your natural tone to show through. On darker strands, however, the Demi deposits more pigment, which can lead to uneven fading and a new regrowth line as your hair grows.

Q: Is Demi-permanent colour good for blending grey hair? It depends on your hair goals. If your hair is almost completely white and you want a sheer, reflective tone, a Demi can be beautiful. However, if you have mixed tones of grey and natural pigment, a Demi may still create contrast and regrowth. True grey hair blending requires strategic placement and advanced techniques, not just a colour formula.

Q: How long does Demi-permanent colour last on grey hair? Typically, 4–6 weeks. While the richness of the tone gradually fades, the darker hair tends to hold colour, meaning you’ll still notice a difference between your regrowth and the hair treated with a Demi colour. Claims that a Demi will last six months without visible regrowth are misleading.

Q: What’s the difference between Demi colour and permanent hair dye? Permanent colour opens the hair cuticle fully and permanently alters the pigment inside the hair shaft. Demi colour, on the other hand, only partially penetrates the cuticle and sits closer to the surface, which is why it fades faster but will not completely come away. Permanent colour gives strong coverage with more noticeable regrowth; Demi is softer and more transparent on white hairs only.

Q: Can I transition to natural grey hair using a Demi colour? You can use a Demi as part of a transitional plan — for example, to add gentle tone while your natural colour grows in — but it will not achieve a full transition on its own. A proper grey hair transition combines blending, lightening, and placement techniques designed to mimic your natural colour pattern and achieve longevity between visits.