WHAT DO THE NUMBERS IN HAIR COLOUR MEAN?
When it comes to changing the colour of your hair – knowing some basic information about how hair colour charts work can be fundamental in understanding the options presented to you in-salon.
THE L’ORÉAL PROFESSIONNEL COLOUR NUMBERING SYSTEM EXPLAINED
Your L’Oréal Professionnel colourist will use our international colour numbering system during your bespoke in-salon consultation to identify which depth and tones/reflects will best suit you and your hair. We have decoded the hair colour numbering system: one of the key tools which will help you better understand the complexity that goes into your hair colour service in-salon.
There are up to 4 figures in a hair colour number, up to 2 before the decimal point and up to 2 after the decimal point. For example, 3, 5.8, 6.13 and 10.21 are all L’Oréal Professionnel hair colour numbers.
UNDERSTANDING HAIR COLOUR CHARTS
WHAT IS A NATURAL BASE COLOUR?
The level system is made up of 10 numbers which help determine the depth level of your natural hair. 1 is black, 5 is light brown, 6 is dark blonde, 7 is blonde and 10 is the lightest blonde. Your L’Oréal Professionnel colourist will analyse your hair and assess your natural base colour in-salon.
WHAT IS A BASE COLOUR?
The first number which appears on the colour chart is the base colour. This number indicates the base level of the shade you would like to achieve. It shows how light or dark the colour is.
WHAT IS A TONE OR REFLECT OF COLOUR?
Next your colourist will look at the second and third numbers on the colour chart that appear after the period mark. These numbers indicate the primary and secondary reflects/tones that are present in the colour.
For example,.1 = Ash, .2 = Iridescent, .3 = Golden, .4 = Copper
This system also allows your colourist to neutralise the colour, so for example to avoid a blonde hair colour from becoming too warm; they could add more .2 (violet) or .1 (blue) to counteract the yellow or orange tones that appear naturally.
The outcome of your final target shade will also be influenced by several other factors that need to be assessed by your L’Oréal Professionnel colourist such as undercoat and distribution of pigment.
Whether you have a specific colour in mind or are in need of some inspiration, your L’Oréal Professionnel colourist can offer you a bespoke service to identify the best hair colour for you. Taking into consideration your natural hair colour, skin tone and eye colour they will create a personalised shade that can help emphasise and illuminate your features. Ask for a colour consultation at your nearest L’Oréal Professionnel salon today to receive your personalised and tailored colour.
Inspired? Discover what hair colours suit you with our virtual hair colour try-on tool.
FAQs
1) Level of Color
What do numbers mean in hair color? ›
Numbers to the right of the decimal point represent the primary and secondary tones seen in hair colour. The first number to the right of the decimal represent the primary reflect, while the second number represents the secondary reflect: Secondary tone.
What does 4.15 mean on hair dye? ›
The first number of a Hair Colour is how Light or Dark the Brown hair dye will be, for example brown shades range from 4, Dark Brown to 6, Light Brown. The second number is the reflect which can be Natural (. 0), Warm (. 3, .
How do you decode hair color numbering system? ›
Firstly, you should know that the hair color number is made of 3 numbers with a slash or period after the first number. The first number indicates color level and depth, while the second and third numbers indicate color tone.
What does 7.1 mean in hair color? ›
However, if you see that secondary number, it means that base 7 also includes a tone and this can dramatically change the colour result. So if you see 7.1, it means the shade is a mat ash (cold) tone. If you see 7.3, you have a gold tone so the final shade will be warm.
What is the best hair color for a 60 year old? ›
Silver, ashy, blond, and platinum are indeed the most popular hair color choices for women over 60. And with good reason! Instead of coloring to hide your grey hair, you can choose to embrace it. I've seen way too many women with poorly colored dark brown hair color that just doesn't look natural or flattering.
Which hair color is darker, 6 or 7? ›
The level system is made up of 10 numbers which help determine the depth level of your natural hair. 1 is black, 5 is light brown, 6 is dark blonde, 7 is blonde and 10 is the lightest blonde.
Is Level 4 or 5 hair color darker? ›
These levels are used to describe how dark or light your hair color is. Level 10 is lightest blond, level 9 is light blond, level 8 is medium blond, level 7 is dark blond, level 6 is light brown, level 5 is medium brown, level 4 is dark brown, level 3 is darkest brown, level 2 is black brown and level 1 is black.
What does level 10 hair color look like? ›
Level 1 is black and Level 10 is Light Blond. what Level Hair color to do you have? Level 1 is black and Level 10 is Light Blond.
What is hair color code? ›
The first digits in hair dye codes are between 1 and 10. Each of the ten color levels is appropriately named to indicate a particular degree of lightness or darkness. The higher the first number, the brighter the tone of the hair. (e.g., 1-black, 10- lightest blonde).
To determine your level, take a section of hair from the crown of your head and hold it out where you can see it, away from the rest of your hair. Then, compare it to our level chart, with level 1 being the darkest (black) and level 10 being the lightest (light blonde).
What number is medium brown hair? ›
UNDERSTANDING HAIR COLOR SHADE NAMES
It is a Medium Brown (Level 5)
What color cancels out brown hair? ›
Taking the next step in the laws of neutralization, you can conclude that a violet or blue violet color formula will cancel out the unwanted yellow or gold tones in your blonde hair color; blue will cancel out the unwanted orange or brassy tones in your brown hair color and green will cancel out the unwanted red tones ...
What color cancels out ash? ›
When formulating your shade, your colorist will likely use a copper or golden tone to counteract the ash.
What color cancels out orange? ›
The key to fixing orange hair is usually to neutralise the orange with its opposite colour – blue. Here are some tried and trusted tips we've curated to banish your orange strands at home.
Is number 2 or 4 hair darker? ›
These levels are used to describe how dark or light your hair color is. Level 10 is lightest blond, level 9 is light blond, level 8 is medium blond, level 7 is dark blond, level 6 is light brown, level 5 is medium brown, level 4 is dark brown, level 3 is darkest brown, level 2 is black brown and level 1 is black.
What color is 6.1 hair dye? ›
6.1 Dark Blonde Ash, 50 ml.
What is hair colors 2 vs 4? ›
Hair Color Levels 1 to 4
From that level, the hair will slowly get lighter as they level up, with level 2 being the darkest brown, 3 and 4 being darker to medium brown tones.
What color is 1B or 2 hair? ›
1B human hair is typically unprocessed, while 2 human hair extensions are usually processed. The strands found in 1B hair may include grays and lighter browns, while 2 color hair has usually been dyed to create a uniform color.
