Decoding the numbers of hair dyes – what does the dye number mean and how to choose

Millions of women in all countries of the world are constantly faced with the problem of a difficult choice of hair dye. The range of products is truly huge, and there is no need to talk about the future shade. On the box – one color, on the hair it turns out completely different. And after all, few people know that it is possible to determine the future shade simply by the numbers on the box …

The content of the article:

What the Numbers in Hair Dye Numbers Mean – Useful Color Shade Number Tables

When choosing paint, each woman is guided by her own criteria. For one, the decisive factor is brand awareness, for the other – the price criterion, for the third – the originality and attractiveness of the packaging or the presence of a balm in the kit.

But as for the choice of the shade itself – in this everyone is guided by the photo on the package. As a last resort, the name.

And rarely will anyone pay attention to the small numbers that are printed next to the beautiful (like “chocolate smoothie”) name of the shade. Although it is these numbers that give us a complete picture of the presented shade.

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So, what you did not know, and what should be remembered …

What do the numbers on the box say?

On the main part of the shades presented by various brands, the tones are denoted by 2-3 numbers. For example, “5.00 Dark Blonde”.

• Under the 1st digit the depth of the main color is meant (approx. – usually from 1 to 10).
• Under the 2nd digit – the main tone of coloring (approx. – the number comes after a point or fraction).
• Under the 3rd digit – additional shade (approx. – 30-50% of the main shade).

When marking with only one or two numbers it is assumed that there are no shades in the composition, and the tone is extremely clear.

Deciphering the depth of the main color:

• one – refers to black.
• 2 – to dark dark chestnut.
• 3 – to dark chestnut.
• 4 – to chestnut.
• 5 – to light chestnut.
• 6 – to dark blond.
• 7 – to light brown.
• eight – to light blond.
• 9 – to very light blond.
• 10 – to light light blond (that is, light blond).

Individual manufacturers may also add 11th or 12th tone – these are already super-lightening hair dyes.

Next, we decipher the number of the main shade:

• Under the number 0 a number of natural tones are assumed.
• Under the number 1: there is a blue-violet pigment (approx. – ash row).
• Under the number 2: there is a green pigment (approx. – matte row).
• Under the number 3: yellow-orange pigment is present (approx. – golden row).
• Number 4: there is a copper pigment (approx. – red row).
• Under the number 5: there is a red-violet pigment (approx. – mahogany row).
• Under the number 6: there is a blue-violet pigment (approx. – violet row).
• Under the number 7: there is a reddish-brown pigment (approx. – natural base).

It should be remembered that 1st and 2nd shades are referred to as cold, others – to warm.

We decipher the 3rd number on the box – an additional shade

If this number is present, it means that your paint contains additional shade, the amount of which relative to the main color is 1 to 2 (sometimes there are other proportions).

• Under the number 1 – an ashy shade.
• Under the number 2 – purple tint.
• Under the number 3 – gold.
• Number 4 – copper.
• Under the number 5 – mahogany shade.
• Under the number 6 – red tint.
• Under the number 7 – coffee.

Individual manufacturers indicate the color using letters, not numbers (specifically Pallet).

They are deciphered as follows:

• Under the letter C you will find an ash color.
• Under PL – platinum.
• Under A – super lightening.
• Under N – natural color.
• Under E – beige.
• Under M – matte.
• Under W – Brown color.
• Under R – Red.
• Under G – gold.
• Under K – copper.
• Under I – intense color.
• And under F, V – Violet.

Has a gradation and color fastness level… He, too, is usually indicated on the box (only elsewhere).

For instance…

• Under the number “0” encrypted paints with a low level of durability – paint “for a while” with a short effect. That is, tinted shampoos and mousses, sprays, etc.
• Number “1” talks about a tint product without ammonia and peroxide in the composition. These products refresh dyed hair and add shine.
• Number “2” will tell about the semi-permanentness of the paint, as well as the presence of peroxide and, sometimes, ammonia in the composition. Durability – up to 3 months.
• Number “3” – these are the most persistent paints that radically change the main color.

On a note:

1. “0” before a digit (for example, “2.02”): the presence of natural or warm pigment.
2. The greater the “0” (for example, “2.005”), the more naturalness in the shade.
3. “0” after the number (for example, “2.30”): saturation and brightness of the color.
4. Two identical numbers after the dot (for example, “5.22”): the concentration of the pigment. That is, the enhancement of the complementary hue.
5. The greater the “0” after the point, the better the shade will cover the gray hair.

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Examples of decryptions of the hair color palette – how to choose your number correctly?

To assimilate the information obtained above, we will analyze them with specific examples.

• Shade “8.13”presented as light blond beige (paint “Loreal Excellence”). The number “8” speaks of a light-blond scale, the number “1” – about the presence of an ashy shade, the number “3” – about the presence of golden color (it is 2 times less than ashy here).
• Shade “10.02”presented as light light blond delicate. The number “10” indicates such a depth of tone as “light blond”, the number “0” indicates the presence of natural pigment, and the number “2” is a matte pigment. That is, the color will end up being very cold, and without red / yellow tints.
• Shade “10.66”, called Polar (approx. – Estel Love Nuance palette). The number “10” indicates a light-light-blond scale, and two “sixes” indicate the concentration of the violet pigment. That is, the blond will turn out with a purple tint.
• Shade “WN3”, referred to as “golden coffee” (approx. – Palette cream paint). In this case, the letter “W” indicates a brown color, with the letter “N” the manufacturer indicated its naturalness (approx. – similar to zero after the dot with conventional digital coding), and the number “3” indicates the presence of a golden hue. That is, the color will end up being warm – natural brown.
• Shade “6.03” or Dark Blonde… With the number “6” we are shown a “dark blond” base, “0” indicates the naturalness of the future shade, and with the number “3” the manufacturer adds a warm golden nuance.
• Shade “1.0” or “Black”… This option is without auxiliary nuances – there are no additional shades here. A “0” indicates exceptional naturalness of the color. That is, in the end, the color turns out to be a pure deep black.

Of course, in addition to the designations in the numbers indicated on the factory packaging, you should also take into account the characteristics of your hair. Be sure to take into account the fact of preliminary coloring, highlighting or simply lightening.

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