What do the letters mean on hair color boxes?

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The number-letter combinations refer to the levels and tones of the specific hair colors. The number is measured on a scale from 1-10 (1 being black, 10 being lightest blonde). The letter refers to the tone and base pigment of the color. For instance, 7V would mean a level 7 shade of violet.



Subsequently, one may also ask, what do the numbers and letters on hair color boxes mean?

A hair color's technical name is a letter-number combination that denotes its level and tone. For example, a warm dark blonde would be defined as 7W. Before taking your pick of hair colors, though, you need to ID your skin's undertones. Most people fall into one of three categories: warm, cool, and neutral.

Furthermore, what does 4ar mean in hair color? L'Oreal Paris Excellence Triple Protection Permanent Hair Color - 4AR Dark Chocolate Brown - 1 Kit.

Also know, what do the letters stand for in hair color?

The letters indicate the underlying tones—for example, Amalfi (in the uppermost left handcorner) is a “Neutral Gold Violet” blonde. C stands for copper, A is ash, R is red, and M is mahogany. Warm tones neutralize cool tones and vice versa.

What is a Level 6 hair color?

Level 6 is another term for light brown hair. It is quite common in box dyes. Level 6 hair can also refer to the brighter shades of medium red hair. Most medium auburn shades are Level 5 or Level 6.

30 Related Question Answers Found

What does Ash mean in hair color?

What is an Ash Hair Colour? Ash refers to a Hair Colours pigment, or a Hair Colours character, rather than how Light or Dark the shade is. Ash Hair Colours are Cool shades with predominately Blue pigment and hints of Greens that create a Hair Colour that looks smokey and silvery.

When should you use an ash hair color?

When To Use Ash Hair Colors
  1. The main use of ash colors is when you want to eliminate gold or red tones in your hair color.
  2. Another use for ash colors is if you have natural gold or red tones in your hair.
  3. If you have more than 1 color in your hair.
  4. Using ash when covering up highlights will soften the overall look.

What is a level 7 hair color?

Level 7 is a term used for dark blonde hair, but it can also refer to some bright or light auburns/reds. It is common to find Level 7 shades in hair dye. Level 7 hair can be flattering on people whose natural hair color is from Level 4 to Level 10.

What is a Level 5 in hair color?

Level 5. Level 5 is a term for medium brown but can also refer to the medium-dark red shades. It is one of the most common natural colors in the world, but also commonly shows up in box dyes. Level 5 hair can be flattering on anyone with a natural hair color from Level 2 to Level 7.

What color should I dye my hair?

As far as coloring, you're either a summer or a winter. As a general rule, avoid golden or red shades with warm undertones in your hair. They'll clash with your skin, hair, and eyes. Instead, if you have light hair, you'll look best in platinum, icy blonde shades, or champagne hues as well as light, cool brown shades.

How do you fix orange hair?

Using a medium ash blonde hair dye is another good way to tone down the orange in your hair to a cool light brown shade. Using an ash blonde dye on dark orange hair will neutralize the orange while not lightening your hair too much, leaving you with a nice light brown shade.

Can you dye wet hair?

CAN YOU DYE YOUR HAIR IF IT'S WET? The short answer: yes! That being said, your hair is at its most fragile state when wet, so dyeing wet strands can result in damaged hair and breakage. For a drastic hair color change, you'll want to stick with dyeing your strands while they're dry.

What app can change your haircolor?

Modiface Hair Color App

Should I use 20 or 30 vol developer?

The 30 volume developer also works like 20 volume, but it will lighten the hair's original color by two to three and is more efficient when the desired color is no more than two levels lighter than the original color. It will lift your hair four shades and is suitable for blondes, especially high-lift colors.

How many levels can I lift my hair?

If you stay within three levels of lift every session, you will get to your goal color and STILL have healthy hair on your head. Say your a level 1, you must settle for a level 4 medium brown for your first session. A level 7, medium blonde at your second and finally a level 10 "lightest" blonde at your third.

How do I know what developer to use?

Adds a shade or tint to hair of the same lightness level.
  1. 20 volume developer (6% peroxide) Offers lifting by 1-2 levels. The most common force of developer.
  2. 30 volume developer (9% peroxide) Lightens up to 3 levels.
  3. 40 volume developer (12% peroxide) Serves only for lightening.

Can I mix two hair colors from the same brand?

The answer is YES. You absolutely can do that. Sometimes, you may want to be between two different levels of color, which you cannot see in any boxed kit. So mixing two or more hair dye colors will make sense.

What do the numbers mean in Wella color?

All numbers indicate level and tone. Level is how much lift the color has. The higher the number, the lighter the color. 2 - Black.

What does C mean in hair color?

1) Level of Color
The higher the first number is, the brighter tone is (ie. 1=black, 10=very light blonde). Here, the letter C placed in front of the number indicates that it is a color with high coverage even on gray hair. Glamot tip! If you hesitate between two tones, always choose rather the lighter shade.

What is the hardest color to remove from hair?

Red is the hardest color to keep lustrous and the hardest color to remove,” she adds.

What is the difference between a toner and hair color?

Toners work without chemistry, so they do not contain a developer. The color does not penetrate the hair structure – it just coats the exterior of the hair. A toner can't achieve a dramatic change of color, and it also won't cover grays. Toner is mainly used to refresh color and provide shine.