Have you ever been to a stylist to get your hair colored and had no friggin idea what she was talking about? Have you ever wanted a particular color and your hair came no where near that when you dyed it? Have you ever stood in a beauty store desperately staring at developers hoping the right one with just come off the shelf and land in your arms? Well I know I have, MANY times.
I honestly don't know how many times I've been disappointed that my hair color didn't turn out like the color on the swatch or box. I've stood in Sally's for what seemed like hours staring at developers hoping the right one would slap me in the face and say "You need me dumbass." That's why I'm writing this, to help just one girl like I was to understand hair color and developers.
Firstly, hair color starts off by identifying the level of your hair. By level I mean darkness/lightness. If your at a beauty supply, like Sally's for instance I remove the swatch from the shelf. (if you do it carefully it will pop back on.) If your going to a professional supply use a swatch book. Then hold it up against you hair and try to match it. If it matches that is the level of your hair. Standard hair color levels are defined on a scale of 1-10. 1 is the darkest, blackest color and level 10 is the lightest, blondest color. A basic scale would look like this.
Level 1- Black
Level 2- Darkest Brown
Level 3- Very dark brown
Level 4- Dark Brown
Level 5- Brown
Level 6- Light Brown
Level 7- Dark Blonde
Level 8- Medium Blonde
Level 9- Blonde
Level10- Light Blonde
After you have established you current color level and desired level, you must decide which tone you would prefer. Tones are put into 3 standard categories; cool, neutral or warm. Tones are usually indicated with letters. This is an example of tones
Cool Tones Warm Tones
A- Ash C- Copper
B- Blue G- Gold
G- Green W- Warm
V- Violet R- Red
R/B- Red Brown
R/O- Red/Orange
Tones are usually mixed in formulas to create that perfect shade. For example the color I recently used on my hair is a 5RR from Matrix. So what would that be??? Its a Level 5 which is a darker shade, and RR is red with a red undertone. So if I went with a 8VR what would that be??? a Level 8 which is pretty light, and the color would be violet with a red undertone. Are you still with me? :P
Now picking the right developer is quite easy once you understand color levels. Developers mainly come in 4 volumes; 10, 20, 30, and 40. a 10 volume mainly deposits color into the hair. It doesn't lift color at all. if you are wanting to go darker than your previous color or just darker in general use 10 volume. 20 volume mainly deposits color as well. Volume 20 is also best for gray, resistant hair and is the most commonly used. 20 Volume lifts color by 2 shades, an example would be going from a level 5 color to a level 7. You would use 20. 30 & 40 have the most lift but can but rather harsh to the hair. 30 volume lifts 3 shades and 40 lifts 4 shades. so if I was going from a level 3 to a level 7 I would use a 40 volume. Now if it cannot be achieved with a 40 volume then you must use lightener aka bleach.
you cannot go from a level 3 to a level 8 without a double process.
10V- No lift/Deposit only- Dark colors
20V- Best for gray hair/ Mainly Deposits/ Lifts 2 shades
30V- Lifts 3 shades
40V- Lifts 4 shades
Lightener- To lift higher than 4 shades.
I hope this helped at least one person understand color and feel comfortable and confident choosing color. Sitting in my theory class learning this I felt like a total dumb ass for not being able to understand or putting 2&2 together for the longest time. My light bulb finally clicked on after 10 years of coloring my hair. lol
question: I'm super blonde with VERY gold tones. I want to be a darker blonde and a cooler blonde. Can I use Ash Blonde 8A? Your opinion would be much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteKristina
I am a lisenced cosmetologist and I felt that your written guide on hair levels was quite accurate where the photo guide was a bit off. The Browns appear lighter in the guide and the blondes darker. For example a level 2 and 3 will look almost black. Most color lines don't even offer 1 since 2 will do the trick! Also, a level 10 I'd pretty much very pale yellow.. as pale as you can get it without trying to make it white and having your hair turn into the consistancy of silly string (I've had it happen to my ends before and trust me, it's not very fun). But anyhow, most color lines go up to a 10 which is basically bleach blonde.. with the exception of some special tints that are 12s etc. Basically my point is if you are using the chart just keep in mind that the Browns in the chart appear lighter while the blondes darker. Also, 30 vol will normally do the trick if you're lifting with color and not bleach (sometimes 20 if it's not much of a change like a level or so) I normally try and stay away from 40 since it's usually not needed and more damaging. I'd never go above 20 vol with bleach either since it's better to lift gradually and carfully than using 30 and realizing it's too late now. One major thing I'd like to add I'd you can not lift color with color, you have to use bleach. This was something I didn't know before beauty school and I was wondering why my roots were so vibrant while my ends were black :/ other than that this is all pretty accurate and helpful! Just thought I'd put my 2 cents in and help out a bit :)
ReplyDeleteI am a lisenced cosmetologist and I felt that your written guide on hair levels was quite accurate where the photo guide was a bit off. The Browns appear lighter in the guide and the blondes darker. For example a level 2 and 3 will look almost black. Most color lines don't even offer 1 since 2 will do the trick! Also, a level 10 I'd pretty much very pale yellow.. as pale as you can get it without trying to make it white and having your hair turn into the consistancy of silly string (I've had it happen to my ends before and trust me, it's not very fun). But anyhow, most color lines go up to a 10 which is basically bleach blonde.. with the exception of some special tints that are 12s etc. Basically my point is if you are using the chart just keep in mind that the Browns in the chart appear lighter while the blondes darker. Also, 30 vol will normally do the trick if you're lifting with color and not bleach (sometimes 20 if it's not much of a change like a level or so) I normally try and stay away from 40 since it's usually not needed and more damaging. I'd never go above 20 vol with bleach either since it's better to lift gradually and carfully than using 30 and realizing it's too late now. One major thing I'd like to add I'd you can not lift color with color, you have to use bleach. This was something I didn't know before beauty school and I was wondering why my roots were so vibrant while my ends were black :/ other than that this is all pretty accurate and helpful! Just thought I'd put my 2 cents in and help out a bit :)
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