Mixing hair colors can be an art form, requiring knowledge of both the base colors and the techniques used to achieve specific shades. Here’s a basic guide to mixing hair colors:
Understanding the Color Wheel
When mixing hair colors, it's helpful to understand the principles of color theory. Primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. When mixed together in various combinations, they create secondary colors like green, orange, and purple. For hair coloring purposes, the focus is often on neutralizing unwanted tones (like brassiness in blondes) or enhancing desired tones.
Common Hair Color Numbers and Their Meanings
Before we dive into mixing, here’s a quick recap of what the numbers mean:
- Levels (1-10): Represent the depth of the color, with 1 being the darkest (black) and 10 being the lightest (white or very light blonde).
- Modifiers: Indicate the undertone or shade variation. For instance, A stands for ash, C for copper, G for gold, etc.
Mixing Techniques
To mix colors, you generally combine two or more colors to achieve a desired effect. Here are some common scenarios:
Neutralizing Unwanted Tones
- Brassy Blondes: To reduce orange or yellow tones, add an ash-based color. For example, mixing a blonde base with an ash toner.
- Reddish Brown: To reduce red tones, add a beige or neutral tone.
Enhancing Desired Tones
- Highlighting: To create highlights, you may mix a lighter shade with a developer.
- Lowlighting: To add depth, mix a darker shade with the base color.
Creating Custom Shades
- Customized Browns: Mix different brown tones to achieve a unique shade. For instance, combining medium brown with copper for warmth.
- Pastel Colors: For pastel shades, mix a light base color with a small amount of the desired tone and more developer.
Example Mixtures
Here are some examples of how you might mix colors:
- To achieve a cool-toned dark blonde: Combine a level 5 base with a small amount of ash toner.
- To achieve a warm golden brown: Mix a level 4 base with a gold modifier.
- To neutralize brassy blonde: Use an ash blonde toner mixed with a level 6 or 7 base.
Tips for Mixing
- Test Strands: Always do a strand test before applying the color all over.
- Developer: Choose the right volume of developer (e.g., 10, 20, 30, or 40 volume) based on the desired lift and processing time.
- Proportion: Keep track of the proportions of each color component when mixing to ensure consistency.
Remember, professional experience and practice will help refine your skills in mixing and applying hair color. If you're new to this, it might be wise to consult with a professional or start with a small area before committing to a full head of color.