We measure how light hair colour is by using a level number system from 1-10. Underlying pigment is the natural color in your hair that remains even after lightening. It influences the final tone you see.

Special Notes on Levels

• LEVEL 2
  Dark brown hair contains a lot of red underlying pigments. As it lightens, these pigments transition to red/orange, orange, then gold, and finally pale yellow.
• LEVEL 5
  Light brown hair contains mostly orange/red underlying pigments and transitions to orange, gold, yellow, and pale yellow as it lightens.
• LEVEL 7
  Medium blonde contains orange underlying pigment and transitions from gold, yellow, to pale yellow as it lightens.
• LEVEL 8
  Blonde contains gold underlying pigment and has a short travel from yellow to pale yellow as it lightens.

*Natural Level 1 hair is extremely rare and is usually achieved through colouring. No warmth is reflected, even under the sun. Natural Level 2 appears black but reflects slight warmth under strong light.

**Natural Level 8 hair is uncommon and generally the lightest occurring in adults.

This chart shows the distance each level travels to pale yellow.

Considerations When Lightening Hair

Natural Level:
Darker hair contains more pigments and has the farthest to travel from red to the palest yellow.

Warmth:
When natural hair appears warm, it indicates higher levels of pheomelanin (underlying pigment), which means it requires higher peroxide and/or more time to lighten compared to hair with cooler tones.
Example: a natural warm level 6 will take a higher volume and/or more time to lighten than a natural cool level 6.

Hair Texture:
The cuticle acts as a barrier against lightener and color. Fine hair processes more quickly due to a thinner cuticle, whereas coarse hair, with a thicker cuticle, may be more resistant.

The Basic 4 Section Colour Application