A color guide for hair explains the numbering system from 1 to 10 for depth (1=black, 10=light blonde) and decimal tones (e.g., .1=ash, .3=gold). Revlon Professional also uses letters like IB for Intense Blonde and MN for maximum neutralizing power, helping colorists select precise shades. A color guide for hair is a systematic chart that uses numbers (1-10 for depth) and decimals or letters for tones, enabling hair colorists to select and mix accurate shades for desired results. Mastering this guide is crucial for professional hair colorists to achieve predictable and beautiful results.
What Is a Color Guide for Hair and Why Does It Matter for Colorists?
A color guide for hair is an indispensable tool for any professional hair colorist, providing a standardized system for understanding and selecting hair colors. This guide is important because it ensures consistency, accuracy, and predictability in color application. Without a clear understanding of the color guide, achieving desired shades, neutralizing unwanted tones, or performing color corrections becomes significantly more challenging. The hair color chart numbering system ranges from 1 to 10 for depth level, with 1 being black and 10 being light blonde. Revlon Professional does not use letters for shade/pigment definition; instead, letters represent specific color performance, underscoring the importance of understanding the entire system.
Now that you understand the overall purpose, let’s dive into the depth levels.
How to Read Hair Color Depth Levels: From Black to Ultra Blonde
The numbers 1 through 10 on a hair color chart represent the depth level of hair color, indicating how light or dark a shade is. This foundational knowledge is critical for predicting how a color will appear on a client. Brown hair colors range from level 2 (dark brown) to level 5 (light brown) on the hair color chart. Level 6 and above cover blonder shades on the hair color chart. Some hair color charts extend to level 12, which is considered ultra-blonde, offering a wider spectrum for lighter results. Natural tones on the hair color chart will always be neutral and not followed by decimal numbers, signifying their unpigmented base state.
Understanding depth is just the start—next we explore how decimal numbers define the tone.
How Do Decimal Numbers Define Hair Color Tones? Primary and Secondary Tones Explained
Decimal numbers following the primary depth level are crucial for determining the tone of the hair color, indicating the underlying pigments. The first number after the decimal indicates the primary tone; for example, 6.1 means base 6 dark blonde with cool tone blue ash. A third decimal number represents the shade with the least influence on the color, offering subtle nuances. Cool tones have first decimal .1 (blue ash), .2 (mauve ash violet pearl), .7 (green khaki), .8 (pearl ash brown), or .9 (soft ash blue). Warm tones have first decimal .3 (gold), .4 (copper), or .6 (red). Neutral tones, often brown-red, have the first decimal .5 (mahogany) and always combine with other tones to create complex shades, as seen in the Revlonissimo Colorsmetique™ line. Data shows that understanding undertones is vital for successful hair coloring.
Decimals are crucial, but Revlon Professional also uses letters for special color performance.
What Do Letters Like IB and MN Mean on the Revlon Professional Chart?
While numbers primarily define depth and tone, Revlon Professional utilizes letters on its charts to denote specific color performance characteristics rather than pigment shades. The letters ‘IB’ in Revlon Professional stand for ‘Intense Blonde,’ indicating high lift blonde colors designed to achieve lighter results. The letters ‘MN’ in Revlon Professional indicate shades with maximum neutralizing power, useful for correcting unwanted tones. The Revlonissimo Colorsmetique™ chart may include combinations like 6SN, where the letters signify additional performance aspects. Revlon Professional does not use letters for shade definition; letters represent color performance, a key distinction for colorists.
With both numbers and letters understood, let’s apply this knowledge to neutralize unwanted tones.
How to Use the Color Chart to Neutralize Unwanted Tones: A Step-by-Step Guide
Neutralizing unwanted tones is a fundamental skill for colorists, and the color chart is your guide to achieving this. By understanding complementary colors, you can effectively cancel out brassiness or other undesired warmth.
- Identify the Unwanted Tone: Determine if the hair has underlying yellow, orange, or red tones.
- Find the Complementary Tone: Use the color chart to find the opposite tone on the color wheel. Blue neutralizes orange, violet neutralizes yellow, and green neutralizes red.
- Select the Correct Shade: Choose a color with the complementary decimal tone. Colorists must use the color chart to neutralize unwanted tones; for example, to avoid orange tones in light brown hair, apply color 5.1 (light ash brown).
- Apply and Process: Follow the product’s instructions for application and processing time.
The color chart shows complementary tones, making precise neutralization possible. According to industry experts, “accurate neutralization is the cornerstone of professional hair coloring.”
Now let’s look at specific examples from Revlonissimo Colorsmetique™ to see how decimals and letters combine.
What Do Shades Like 6.41 and 7.44 Mean? Decoding Revlonissimo Colorsmetique™ Examples
Examining specific shades from professional lines like Revlonissimo Colorsmetique™ helps solidify understanding of how numbers and letters work together. The second decimal number represents the secondary tone; for example, color 6.41 from Revlonissimo Colorsmetique™ has a dark blonde base, coppery tone, and ashy hue. A color with two decimals, like shade 7.44 from Revlonissimo Colorsmetique™ Coppers, represents a higher intensity in that particular tone, meaning a strong coppery result. The Revlonissimo Colorsmetique™ chart can also include letters like 6SN, indicating specific performance or formulation features. What does shade 6.41 mean in Revlon hair color? It signifies a dark blonde (6) with a primary copper tone (.4) and a secondary ash tone (.1).
Finally, it’s essential to remember that natural hair pigments play a role in the final outcome.
Why Do Final Hair Color Results Depend on Natural Pigments? (Conclusion)
Achieving the perfect hair color isn’t solely about the product chosen; it’s a complex interaction with the hair’s natural pigment. Understanding this interplay is key to predicting and achieving results that match the color chart. Final color results combine chosen shade pigments with natural pigments present in the hair, meaning the same shade applied to different hair types can yield varied outcomes. This is why a professional consultation is vital. Why does hair color look different from the chart on my hair? It’s because the color you apply mixes with the existing pigment in your hair, influencing the final shade. Mastering the Revlon Professional color guide, understanding depth, tones, and how they interact with natural pigments, is fundamental for any skilled hair colorist.
FAQ
Q: What is the difference between 5.1 and 5.3 in Revlon hair color?
A: 5.1 is light brown with cool ash tone; 5.3 is light brown with warm gold tone. The decimal indicates the primary tone: .1 for ash, .3 for gold.
Q: How do I read a three-digit decimal like 6.41?
A: Depth is 6 (dark blonde), first decimal .4 indicates copper primary tone, second decimal .1 indicates ash secondary tone.
Q: What does IB mean in Revlon Professional?
A: IB stands for Intense Blonde, used for high lift blonde colors.
Q: Can I use the Revlon color chart to correct brassy tones?
A: Yes, choose a cool ash tone (e.g., 7.1 for yellow brass) because complementary tones neutralize unwanted warmth.
Q: Are there hair colors beyond level 10?
A: Some charts extend to level 12, which is considered ultra-blonde.
Q: What does the decimal .5 indicate in hair color?
A: Decimal .5 represents mahogany, a neutral brown-red tone that always combines with other tones.
