Semi-permanent hair dye: what is it and how does it work?
Blue, green, lilac, or hot pink hair: bright colors stand out, but not everyone wants to be committed to them for months. And dyeing your hair with ammonia and peroxide every time is not an appealing idea either. Semi-permanent hair dye gives you that color, while leaving you free to choose something else again later.
On this page, we explain what Prestige BeExtreme Semi-Permanent Hair Color is, how it works, why pre-bleaching makes the difference, and what you can realistically expect.
What is semi-permanent hair dye?
Prestige BeExtreme is a ready-to-use toning cream: there is no need to mix anything and no developer is involved. The cream is formulated with Vitamin F, nettle extract, olive oil, and castor oil.
What it does NOT contain: no ammonia, no peroxide, no PPD, no resorcinol, no 1-naphthol, and no parabens.
How does it work?
Permanent hair dye uses ammonia to open the outer layer of your hair, after which hydrogen peroxide allows small color molecules to react inside the hair, turning them into large ones that cannot escape. This provides a lasting color, but damages the hair with every coloring session.
Semi-permanent hair dye works without that chemical reaction. The color comes from direct dyes that adhere to the hair, and as a result, it gradually washes out. The cream is not a bleach: it will not lighten your hair beyond its current color, but instead provides tint-on-tint color or extra shine and intensity.
Step by step:
- Perform a sensitivity test 48 hours in advance on a spot in the crook of your elbow cleaned with alcohol
- Wash your hair and leave it slightly damp
- Put on gloves and apply the cream evenly using a comb and brush, from root to tip
- Leave on according to the time table on the packaging: usually 5 to 40 minutes, depending on the shade and your base color
- Rinse thoroughly with warm water until it runs clear; shampoo is not immediately necessary
You can color your entire hair, part of it, or just individual strands and highlights.
Why pre-bleaching makes the difference
A bright color requires a light base. On dark hair, blue, green, or pink often remain invisible or only provide a subtle glow. For the brightest, most pronounced result, you should therefore apply the color to pre-bleached hair.
For this, there is the Prestige BeExtreme 2XL Bleaching Kit: a developer with a double dose of bleaching powder, which lightens up to 7 shades. What to look out for:
- Apply the mixture to unwashed hair and leave on for a maximum of 45 minutes; check the result on a strand starting from 20 minutes
- The bleaching kit contains hydrogen peroxide: use gloves and a cape, and avoid contact with the eyes
- Wait at least 20 days between two bleaching sessions
- Do not use on henna-treated hair and not within 2 weeks after a perm or straightening treatment
- If your hair has been dyed before, remove the color first before bleaching. You can read how that works in our explanation on removing hair dye
Do you want to get both at the same time? In the Prestige collection, you can also find every shade as a set including the bleaching kit.
Which shade should you choose?
Prestige BeExtreme comes in 12 shades:
- Blue: Ultra Blue, Hawaiian Blue, Blue Lagoon
- Green and blue-green: Wild Green, Dragon Green, Turquoise
- Purple: Power Lilac, Lavender
- Red and pink: Bloody Mary, Candy Pink, Flamingo
- Grey: Graphite
You can also mix shades with each other for a custom creation. Always test a new combination on a small strand of hair first.
Who is it suitable for?
Prestige BeExtreme works best if:
- You want a bright, eye-catching color without being committed to it for months
- You are looking for a hair dye without ammonia, peroxide, and PPD
- Your hair is already blonde or pre-bleached, or you are willing to pre-bleach
- You want to color individual strands or highlights
On grey or completely white hair, the effect may be less uniform. In that case, repeat the treatment or bleach beforehand with the bleaching kit.
What can you expect?
Realistic expectations are important. Here is what you will notice:
- Immediately after coloring: on pre-bleached hair, a bright, pronounced color; on darker hair, a more subtle glow or extra shine
- In the weeks that follow: the color remains visible for 4 to 12 washes and then gradually fades
- Long-term: you can reapply the toner cream as soon as the color fades; you can only bleach again after at least 20 days
Prestige BeExtreme Semi-Permanent Hair Color
Prestige BeExtreme is a toning cream without ammonia, peroxide, PPD, resorcinol, 1-naphthol, or parabens, with Vitamin F, nettle extract, olive oil, and castor oil. Available in 12 bright shades, in a 100 ml package.
Available at MISTER33.COM as the exclusive Benelux distributor. Read the safety information on the product page before use.
View Prestige BeExtreme Semi-Permanent Hair Color →
Frequently asked questions
How long does the color last?
4 to 12 washes, depending on your hair, the shade, and how often you wash it. After that, the color fades gradually.
Do I have to bleach my hair first?
Not mandatory, but necessary for a bright color. The cream does not lighten your hair; on dark hair, the result will be a subtle glow. On pre-bleached hair, you get the full color.
Can I use it for individual strands or highlights?
Yes. You can color your whole head, a part of it, or just individual strands.
Can I mix shades?
Yes, you can combine colors for a custom creation. Test the result first on a small strand of hair.
How often can I repeat the color?
You can reapply the toner cream as soon as the color fades. You can only bleach again after at least 20 days.
Can I remove the color with a color remover?
That won't work: color removers are made for permanent dye. Semi-permanent color fades by itself in 4 to 12 washes.
Can I use it for eyebrows or eyelashes?
No. Also, do not use if under 16 years of age, and not within 2 weeks before or after a perm or straightening treatment.
Why are there more dyes on the ingredient list than in my shade?
The base formula with Vitamin F, nettle extract, and olive oil is the same for all 12 shades. The substances after '+/-' may be present, depending on the shade you choose. The exact composition of your shade is stated on the packaging.