Level 6 Hair Color

Atiyaomar · October 8, 2021, 8:41am

Level 6 hair color is another term for light brown hair. It is quite common inbox dyes. This deep brown can also have unwanted red/coppery tones, but these can be neutralized with a green/blue corrector or a color neutralizing deposit product.

Hair color shades

Using this tool and colorimetry, colorists can determine the height of tone level for each hair color. For this, the color cards are useful, which use the following numerical scales.

Number 1: Black
Number 2, 3, 4: Dark brown
Number 5: Light Brown
Number 6: Dark Blonde
Number 7: Blonde
Number 8: Light Blonde
Number 9: Very Light Blonde
Number 10: Extra Light Blonde

Level and tone of hair dyes

The range of hair dyes is usually determined by numbers. Given the great offer that exists in the market, it is essential that both the colorist and the client are familiar with this nomenclature to understand both the level and the tone of each dye.

The level, for its part, means the degree of illumination of the color: the higher this number, the lighter the color. Here are the tier numbers for each color:

1 - ■■■■■

2 - Very dark brown

3 - Dark brown

4 - Medium brown

5 - Light brown

6 - Dark blonde

7 - Medium blonde

8 - Light blonde

9 - Very light blonde

10 - Extra Light Blonde, Platinum

On the other hand, the tone of the dye refers to the hue, which can be warm, cold, or neutral. In the same way, it is determined by numbers:

1 - Neutral (for all skin tones)

2 - Ash (for cool skin tones)

3 - Matte (for cool skin tones)

4 - Gold (for warm skin tones)

5 - Red (for warm skin tones)

6 - Mahogany (for cool skin tones)

7 - Violet (for cool skin tones)

8 - Brown (for all skin tones)

9 - Blue (for cool skin tones)

In commercial hair dyes, we will generally find both the tone and the color level specified on the packaging; if, for example, we see two numbers (like the number 20), 2 corresponds to the level and 0 to the tone.

In the case of three numbers (such as 537), the first also corresponds to the level and the last two are the tone, with the exception of those two-digit numbers (10, 11, or 12) which, in those cases, the first two numbers are the level and the second is the pitch.

On the other hand, if we see four numbers on the packaging, the first two correspond to the level and the last two to the tone.

Knowledge of the color wheel and its possible combinations, as well as the study of color theory and the determination of the tone height according to the charts, are essential for professional hair coloring.

What is colorimetry?

Colorimetry is the quantitative determination of the depth of color; in other words, it is a science that measures color according to specific numerical values. In this way, the colorimetry will determine, in the case of hair dyeing, the dye, saturation, and intensity of each color through a measurable scale.

Stylists apply colorimetry based on two fundamental theoretical tools: the chromatic circle and color theory, which allow them not only to accurately measure the color to be applied according to the client’s needs but also establish those laws of harmony and combinations that must be taken into account for a proper result.

It is, in short, the art of mixing colors according to the results we seek.

What is a Chromatic circle?

As we discussed, the correct application of colorimetry is done through the chromatic circle, which is a circular representation of the colors according to their tone or hue.
Although there are several types of the color wheel according to the color model used, in the case of colorimetry applied to hair dyes, the traditional color model is used, which allows a wide range of its primary colors to be obtained: yellow, blue, and red.
In this sense, in this circle, we find these primary colors and their derivations: the secondary colors (orange, violet, and green) and the tertiary colors (yellowish-orange, reddish-orange, reddish violet, bluish violet, bluish-green and yellowish-green).
Other well-known color circles are those that correspond to the subtractive model (generally used in printing presses) and the natural color circle (generally used for projections, web, and screens).
In the chromatic circle, we can locate the complementary colors, which are those that are in an opposite position within this space. For example, the complementary color of yellow is violet, the complementary color of red is green, and so on.
The study and knowledge of the chromatic circle allow not only to know what are the necessary combinations to obtain a certain color but also to understand the characteristics of these when combined and have a better knowledge about which are the complementary colors according to color theory.

Laws of colorimetry

In addition to the theoretical foundations that we have discussed, in order to obtain an excellent result when applying a hair dye, knowledge of the four laws of colorimetry is essential.

First law of calorimetry:

The first law, for its part, establishes that cold colors (violet, blue and green) dominate over warm colors (red, orange, and yellow).

The neutral color, in this case, would be coffee. In this way, if blue and yellow tints are to be combined in equal amounts, the result will be a color with a greater tendency towards blue.

Second law of colorimetry

On the other hand, the second law of colorimetry establishes that, when combining opposite colors of the chromatic circle, they will be neutralized.

That is, blue neutralizes very orange tones, just as yellow neutralizes violet and red do so with green. This law is very important for the correct application of both shades and tone neutralizers.

Third law of colorimetry

For its part, the third law establishes that a dye cannot be lightened with another dye; thus, it is not possible to lower the color level if a dark tone is applied first and then a light tone. If the stylist wants to obtain this result, it is necessary to apply a bleaching product to the hair first.

Fourth law of colorimetry

Finally, the fourth law tells us that it is possible to apply a cold tone to a warm tone, while we cannot apply a warm tone to a cold tone. This is because cool tones neutralize warm ones.

By knowing these laws of colorimetry, stylists can better determine which color to use based on the client’s expected result.

Hair color according to skin tone:

On the other hand, keep in mind that choosing the ideal color will depend on both the skin tone and the shape of the face.
Dark tones are ideal for a slimmer face, but they harden the features, while light tones not only add volume but also brighten the face and soften the features.

Similarly, chestnut tones are ideal, as they favor almost all types of features and skin color thanks to their versatility.

For fair skin, normally the ideal hair color will be located towards the blonde or even dark or reddish. On the other hand, for those more tanned skin, reddish or mahogany tones can work, while for brown skin and dark hair tone is perfectly suited.

Tips for applying hair dye

On the other hand, it is extremely important that the colorist performs a preliminary analysis before applying the dye.

It is also essential that it is known which dyes the client has applied on previous occasions, as well as making sure that they do not suffer any type of allergy or reaction to the ingredients of the product.

Finally, it is not advisable to mix dyes from different brands or apply the dye to dirty hair. Be aware of these potential mistakes when applying hair dye.

Main mistakes when applying a dye

In another vein, in addition to knowledge of the theory of colorimetry and its tools, it is essential that every stylist has the necessary amount of dye at the time of application to avoid bad results; the amount of dye required will be determined by both the volume of the client’s hair and its porosity.
Also, altering the formula is not recommended - stylists should follow the instructions on the packaging for each brand when preparing the dye.

Discolorations

Another important aspect to consider in colorimetry is bleaching, which is a process in which both natural and artificial pigments found in the hair fiber are extracted.

This process is carried out with the idea of achieving a better result in hair coloring and is essential in the process of coloring hair.

The peroxide descrematizado is the essential product for bleaching and care must be taken in its implementation.

It is advisable not to use products higher than 40 volumes to avoid damaging the client’s hair and, in turn, it is important to constantly monitor the time in which the product is applied.

The exposure time is variable and will depend on the volume of the product, but it is important to take into account that the bleach acts with greater intensity during the first 25 minutes.

After bleaching with the product, it is advisable to dye with a lower peroxide, generally 20 volumes for more or less dark tones and 30 volumes for very light tones. It is important to consider that dyeing dark hair involves two processes with peroxide: first the bleaching and, later, the dye.

Gray coverage

A frequent request from clients in beauty salons concerns how to cover gray hair. Although the appearance of gray hair is linked to aging and is inevitable, stylists have found a way to cover them.
First of all, it is recommended to apply 30-volume peroxide to the entire hair, apply direct heat, wait a few minutes and, without rinsing, apply the dye. However, it is important to take into account the type of hair that can be subjected to this technique.
The coverage of gray hair will depend in turn on the amount of the same in the client’s hair: the more gray hair, the more amount of the natural tone will need to be added during hair coloring; on the contrary, the less gray, the less of the natural tone is needed.

Some hair dye colors and their care

Next, we will see some of the most difficult colors to achieve and how they are cared for.

Brown or chocolate hair: how to achieve it

The chocolate tone, in addition to being an important trend in recent years, is one of the most requested in beauty salons. Given its versatility, it is a shade that adapts very well to almost any type of face and skin color.
To achieve this tone, it will depend on the client’s base hair color and the chocolate color tone to be obtained. For example, if your hair is dyed black or naturally very dark, the ideal is to do a stripping technique that removes pigments from other colors.

In this case, permanent coloring is more suitable because it has a greater capacity to lighten the hair since its formula with ammonia alters the natural pigments of the hair and manages to lighten it up to two tones.

On the other hand, if the base hair is a light shade, there will be no major drawbacks. The semi-permanent coloring option is great for testing color. In this range, you can find shades such as almond or “milk” chocolate, ideal for lighter skin tones.
To maintain chocolate-colored hair, it is important to use a sulfate-free shampoo and apply, at least once a week, a mask with color pigments to refresh the tone and give it a dose of shine.

Green hair

Dyeing hair in less common colors such as green, purple, blue, or the like requires special attention. First, the colorist must analyze the natural color of your client’s hair, as its darkness will determine if it is necessary to bleach the hair previously.
In the case of green, natural blonde hair is ideal for applying the dye directly and obtaining good results.

However, if your hair is dark, colored, or color, the base tone will influence the result of the coloring; generally, in these cases, it is necessary to apply bleaching before in the desired area. In that sense, after applying a previous bleaching process, the stylist can apply the green tint.

To maintain this hair color, it is ideal to follow some recommendations, such as avoiding applying direct heat, avoiding frequent washing, using dry shampoo, and even avoiding chlorinated pools. Likewise, retouching is essential to keep the dye fresh.

Purple hair

Violet hair is another trend that has emerged in recent years. Many celebrities have chosen to apply it not completely throughout their hair but as highlights and even apply a kind of balayage with this color.
However, as with the rest of hair dyes, it is important to first define the intensity of violet color desired by the client and take into account the base hair color, whether it is natural or dyed.
To achieve the violet color, you will need to apply bleach and, of course, violet dye, 20 and 10 volume peroxide, and moisturizer. However, it is ideal that this type of coloration is applied by a professional in colorimetry to avoid unwanted results.
The logic for obtaining violet hair is the same: that is, the client’s base hair color must be taken into account to determine whether or not to use bleaching or other alternate processes.
After dyeing your hair this color, it is important to always wash it with cold water, use conditioners that moisturize the hair and, of course, avoid very strong soaps. Similarly, it is recommended not to wash your hair for at least two days after applying the dye.
If you have a beauty salon, you should bear in mind that offering a professional and comprehensive service is key to sustaining your business over time and ensuring its profitability. Apply this knowledge to enhance your results and objectives as a company in the period you want.

What are the color levels and how do I find my ideal shade?

It all starts with the table where the hair color levels are located. We can figure it out for you: the first number refers to the base color and indicates how light or dark the color is.

Level 1: black

Level 2: the second darkest black

Level 3: brown/black

Level 4: dark brown

Level 5: light brown

Level 6: dark blonde

Level 7: dark blonde

Level 8: medium blonde

Level 9: light blonde

Level 10: white / platinum.

If you are a client, ask your stylist if they already use Style My Hair Pro to explore all possible options together.

How coloring levels and tones are used together?

After choosing your color base, your stylist will check the second level of your hair color with the shade number:

.1 is blue, .2 is purple, .3 is gold, .4 is copper, .5 is mahogany, .6 is red, .7 is matte, .8 is mocha.

If your hair color is level 5 with a shade of .1, you have light brown hair with cool undertones, while a level 8 hair color with a shade of .6, the hair is a medium blonde with reddish tones.

This coloring level chart also allows your colorist to neutralize the color. Therefore, to prevent a blonde tint from being too warm, more shades could be added. 2 - purple or .1 - a blue that counteracts the yellow or orange tones.

What is “hair color” for stylists?

While we see simple coloring, professional stylists see much more. They are capable of translating a multitude of hues into a recipe of color levels.

In addition to the color numbers, the terminology used to describe the different elements of the dye can be confusing, so here is a mini-dictionary to help you understand professional jargon:

Base color: It is the color that is applied all over the scalp (or just the roots) before the stylist gets creative with applying other colors on top. Two or even four different colors add more dimension to the final result.

Coverage: This refers to how well the dye covers gray or whiter hair.

Lowlights/highlights: Lowlights are a type of highlights that are used to create depth, they are darker colors than the base tone used; while the highlights are lighter than the base tone and bring light to the hair.

Tone: Stylists divide tones into warm and cool. Warm hues feature red or orange hues, while cool hues contain blue, purple, or green hues. So brunette hair color, for example, can be cool (ash brown) or warm (mahogany).

How to find the ideal color level for your hair?

It is important to speak in terms of color level, as color names can be subjective and usually differ by brand, while the hair color level table is universal.
To find out the color level of your hair, you can consult the tone level table or, to be completely sure, visit a professional colorist.

Their experience will ensure that you find the exact level and from here you can choose your perfect hair color.

Knowing your hair tone will help you figure out which colors work best for you!

Generally, the dyes that we find on the market contain a numerical code consisting of one to three digits. It is used to indicate the base tone of the formula, as well as the primary and secondary reflections that it acquires on the hair.
Interpreting hair colorimetry is easier than it sounds. It will help you not to make mistakes in the choice of hair colors and obtain precisely the tone you want, especially if you are going to do the coloring on your own. We give you the key!

The first digit is the base tone:

This corresponds to the main color, that is, the base tone. The international color scale establishes 10 levels, the first being the darkest and the tenth the lightest:

1. Black.

2. Very dark brown.

3. Dark brown.

4. Chestnut.

5. Light brown.

6. Dark blonde.

7. Medium blond.

8. Light blonde.

9. Extra light blonde.

10. Platinum blonde.

The second digit is the primary reflex:

Some dyes have a period after the first number, followed by two more figures. These represent the nuances towards which the color will change, that is, the reflections that will become visible when the light falls on the hair.

The second number, the one that appears immediately after the dot, indicates the main reflection of the tint. If it is zero, it means that it has no shades and the color is pure. From now on, this is what each one represents:

Hair colors ending in .1

They contain ash reflections, which means that they add a blue or grayish hue. This type of reflection prevents orange or yellowish tones from appearing after coloring (in colorimetry, blue is the opposite of orange and counteracts it).

Hair colors ending in .2

They contain iridescent, pearly, or pearly reflections. The first two provide a lilac or violet hue, while the third has a blue base.

They work in a similar way to the previous ones, although these are better as shades in blonde tones, in order to avoid very intense yellow reflections that leave an unnatural blonde coloration.

Hair colors ending in .3

They contain golden reflections with components of intense yellow or soft orange. You should avoid them if your hair tends to turn orange, but they are very useful when due to the action of copper in the chemicals in the pools, blonde hair turns greenish.

Hair colors ending in .4

They contain copper reflections with components of deep orange or soft red. These dyes are hard to remove and are counteracted by ash or green hues.

Hair colors ending in .5

They contain mahogany reflections with red tones and purple undertones.

Hair colors ending in .6

They contain red reflections, generally very intense. Like copper, they are very difficult to remove and can only be tinted with a green corrector (the opposite of red); even so, reflections may remain.

Hair colors ending in .7

They contain brown highlights in warm tones.

Hair colors ending in .8

They contain ash or bluish reflections. They are ideal to tone orange reflections.

Hair colors ending in .9

They contain brown and violet reflections.

The third digit is the secondary reflection:

The code for this last number is the same as for the base tone; if both numbers match, it means that the reflection is very strong (some brands use the term deep). Not all dyes include the third digit.

Based on the above, a tint numbered 6.34, for example, is equivalent to a dark coppery golden blonde. And a 5.23 is a light purplish-brown with subtle orange highlights, somewhat like a rosé chestnut

Frequently Asked Questions:

How many shades can hair be lightened?

There are some that can lighten the hair 6 tones and others up to 9 tones, so you must determine how many tones you want to lighten to choose the bleaching. If your goal is to go from shade 1 which is black to shade 9, you will need a 9- shade bleach.

How do I know what my hair color is?

To determine the natural tone of our hair, we must compare it with the international color scale that measures coloration in 10 levels, going from the darkest ( tone 1) to the lightest ( tone 10).

What are the levels of hair discoloration?

The levels or stages of discoloration are classified from 1 to 10, with 1 being the darkest stage and 10 the lightest. In the following image, you can check each stage

What hair color favors dark skin?

The brown skin is between brown and white, and therefore looks good with light and dark shades. We believe that the range of the brown tint is best for this Color of skin.

What color should I choose to lighten my hair?

Blond can also have its effect, but it is preferable in this case to opt for an ombré hair or a bronde, for a more natural result. On the other hand, avoid at all costs gray or ashy blondes, which will not marry your complexion.

What is the best brand of hair dye?

Here is our selection of the 5 best permanent hair colors, based on their coverage, hold, and composition.

The permanent color Olia by Garnier.
The Perfect Mousse by Schwarzkopf.
Les 3 Chênes permanent hair color .
La Casting Crème Gloss by L’Oréal Paris.
Korres argan oil coloring.

What is the most natural color?

Among the natural colorings of the Beliflor brand, the most qualitative are those from the Douss Color range which, enriched with plants, does not contain paraben, ammonia, or resorcinol, particularly harmful chemical ingredients, present in conventional colorings.

Is it bad to dye your hair?

It is never recommended to dye your hair too frequently, as chemicals are aggressive and, when used very frequently, can seriously damage the appearance and health of the hair.

How to properly cover white hair?

If you want to restore shine to your natural color or cover your gray hair, get as close as possible to your color by observing your roots or your eyebrows. Prefer colorings without ammonia which, even if they last less long, destroy the hairless when it is applied.

Conclusion

Thus, you should know that the shade of coloring is described by its level and by its reflections. The level is the unit of measurement used to illustrate the degree of color. Level 1 is the darkest and level 10 the lightest. Level 6 hair color refers to a light brown color. To determine the level of your natural color, refer to the Echosline color chart.