Hair Color Basics and Formulations

Vocabulary flashcards covering hair color fundamentals including level, tone, target, underlying pigments by level, and color correction/toner rules.

Level

How light or dark the hair is, measured on a scale where 1 is black and 10 is platinum blonde.

Tone

The visible warmth or coolness in the hair.

Target

The specific level + tone you want to create.

Underlying Pigment: Levels 1–2

Red.

Underlying Pigment: Levels 3–4

Red / red-orange.

Underlying Pigment: Levels 5–6

Orange.

Underlying Pigment: Levels 7–8

Orange / yellow.

Underlying Pigment: Levels 9–10

Yellow / pale yellow.

Toner

A formulation chosen after looking at the hair following lifting to counteract unwanted tones.

Neutralizing Yellow

Violet (used when the hair is too yellow after lifting).

Neutralizing Orange

Blue (used when the hair is too orange after lifting).

Neutralizing Red

Green (used when the hair is too red after lifting).