Page 5 - Beginner

Which colour to choose and whether it is achievable on the client’s hair?

Thanks to an international numbering system this is made very easy. Always begin by determining
the clients Natural Base Shade. Caucasian’s have a range of 9 different Natural Base Shades. Whereas
Black hair, Indian hair and Oriental hair only have a Natural Base Shade; of number 2 (off/black).

The range of Natural Base Shades are:

Caucasians Hair: 2 (Off Black). 3 (Dark Brown). 4 (Brown). 5 (Light Brown). 6 (Dark Blonde).
7 (Medium Blonde). 8 (Light Blonde). 9 (Very Light Blonde). 10 (Lightest Blonde).

Indian Hair: 2 (Off Black).
Oriental Hair: 2 (Off Black).
Black Hair: 2 (Off Black).

You will notice from the Natural Base Shades above there is no Natural Base Shade Number 1 this is
because no race has Black hair only off Black. However, Hair colour manufacturers are able to create
the colour Black

The international numbering system works as follows:

Numbers 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10. Are the Base Shades.

On the box or on the back of a tube of hair dye you will notice a number i.e. 6.1 or 6.26
The numbers after the dot represents tones and secondary tones.

0.1 Soft Ash 1 Ash 2 Mauve 3 Golden 4 Copper 5 Mahogany 6 Red.

The 6 represents the Base Shade.
The number that follows the dot is known as the tone
The number 1 is Ash.
Number 6.1 is now read as Dark Blonde with an Ash tone = Dark Ash Blonde.
Two numbers after the dot: The first being the tone and the second being a secondary tone.
6.26 is now read as Dark Reddish Mauve Blonde.