When you're thinking of changing your or someone else’s hair color, it's essential to understand the codes and meanings associated with hair dyes. The colors shown on the packaging or in catalogs might not perfectly match your hair. To achieve the desired color, it's better to rely on hair dye codes rather than just the visuals. Having some basic knowledge about how these codes work can help you navigate the options available at the hair salon.
Pictures of hair colors may appear different based on hair type and background color. Therefore, it's crucial to pick the right shade of hair color. Hair dye codes are often concealed in intricate combinations of numbers. Professional hairdressers typically use numbers or combinations of numbers and letters to label the hair dyes they offer.
So, let’s take a look at the meanings of hair dye numbers.
Color Level
The initial number you see on the hair dye tube represents the color level, indicating how light or dark the color is. This number determines the primary shade of the color, essentially the base level you aim to achieve. These first digits in hair dye codes range from 1 to 10, with each number signifying a specific degree of lightness or darkness. The higher the initial number, the lighter the hair tone will be.
Typically, this numbering system corresponds to 1 for black, 5 for light brown, 6 for dark brown, 7 for blonde, and 10 for the lightest blondes. This standardized numbering system is used by all professional hairdressing brands, but keep in mind that each brand may have its own unique numbering system.
Color Shades
When selecting a hair color, it's crucial to choose the right shade for the desired outcome. Achieving a beautiful and harmonious color that complements your overall appearance involves considering the second and third numbers following the decimal point on the color chart.
The first number after the decimal point signifies the primary hue, the dominant color within the shade. This hue becomes more evident after the hair is dyed and influences whether the resulting color will have warm or cool undertones. Often, the hair dye code's name provides insights into the primary color; for instance, "platinum ash blonde" suggests a higher-level blonde with ashy tones and a blue base.
Understanding the numbering system is essential. For example, for Color Codes:
- /1 indicates Ash
- /5 implies Golden
- /77 stands for Copper
Color Reflects
The third number after the decimal point in the hair dye code indicates the secondary tone, which represents color reflections. The descriptions of secondary colors and reflection numbers are the same. You can achieve the desired color and reflections by understanding hair dye codes. Color reflections become less noticeable as the hair color settles after the dyeing process.
Letters
Some brands have letters to describe their colors. For example:
- /N – Natural
- /A – Ash
- /V – Violet
- /R – Red
- /B – Brown
- /G – Gold
- /C – Copper
- /M - Mocha
- /W - Warm
Here are a couple of examples for better clarity:
- 3/RV = Dark Brown Red Violet
- 9/AV = Very Light Blonde Ash Violet
Examples For Better Understanding
When you see repeated numbers before the slash (like 11/) it indicates a highly intense hair color with excellent coverage for gray hair.
If the duplicate numbers come after the slash (as in /11), it signals an intense color shade.
A single number without a slash (for example, 1) means the color is neutral. A neutral shade acts as a balancing complementary tone, ensuring an overall neutral result and uniform coverage on hair without pigment.
If there's a zero after the slash (/0), it signifies a natural tone. This combination includes a complementary tone with a subtle warm hue for a natural look.
For a more detailed look, you can visit our catalog and see the color yourself.
What color should you choose?
While this question differs from person to person, from base color to preferences, you should know some basics for your first experience. Typically, when using a permanent hair dye, it's important to be aware of the depth shade of your existing hair color. Once you know this, aim to pick a color that is either 1 or 2 shades lighter or darker. For instance, if your hair is a very dark brown (ranked as a 2 on the depth scale), you can opt for a dye labeled as number 1 or go as light as number 4. This helps ensure a suitable and balanced color outcome.