Which color category deposits color on the cuticle surface and does not penetrate the cortex?

• A. Temporary
• B. Oxidative color
• C. Semi-permanent
• D. Permanent

Answer: (A)

Color that sits on the outside of the hair coats the cuticle and does not enter the cortex. The pigment particles are large or formulated to adhere to the surface, so they wash out quickly with shampoo. This surface coating stays on the cuticle rather than undergoing the chemical changes needed to reach the cortex, which is why the color is not permanent. In contrast, colors that are oxidative or permanent rely on chemical reactions and smaller pigment molecules that penetrate the cuticle and deposit inside the cortex, giving longer-lasting results. Semi-permanent can fade over time as some deposition occurs, but it’s not as surface-restricted as temporary.