What hair color product can't lighten, but it can deposit color, has a slightly alkaline pH, and won't leave a line of demarcation?

• A. Temporary
• B. Demi-Permanent
• C. Semi-Permanent
• D. Permanent

Answer: (C)

This question is about deposit-only color options and how they behave with lightening, pH, and demarcation. The best match is semi-permanent color because it adds pigment by depositing it on or near the cuticle without using a strong lift to remove natural color. That means it cannot lighten the hair, only change its shade subtly by deposition. Its pH is mildly alkaline, which helps the pigment set without the aggressive cuticle swelling seen with permanent color. Since there’s no lifting, there isn’t a harsh line of demarcation at the new growth—the color gradually fades with washing, giving a softer transition.

Temporary color coats the hair surface and often washes out quickly, so its effect isn’t a lasting deposit. Demi-permanent color can deposit but uses a low-volume developer and can provide a small amount of lift over time, which means it isn’t purely a deposit-only option. Permanent color lifts significantly and creates a noticeable line at regrowth.