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by Saumya Rawat on Apr 18, 2023
Hair color can be confusing. With so many shades and hues to choose from, it's hard to know where to start. One way to make sense of it all is by understanding hair color levels and asking yourself “What level is my hair color.” In this blog post, we'll demystify hair color levels and provide tips on how to identify your own hair base level.
What Are Hair Color Levels?
Hair color levels refer to the depth and darkness of your hair color. They range from the lightest blonde (level 10) to the darkest black (level 1), with several shades of brown in between.
To better understand hair color levels, it helps to look at a hair color chart. A hair color chart displays all the possible shades within each level, from the lightest to the darkest. By looking at the chart, you can get a better sense of where your hair falls on the spectrum.
Identifying Your Hair Color Level
The easiest way to identify your hair color level is by looking at your natural hair color. This is the color your hair is without any dyes or treatments.
If your hair is dark brown or black, you're probably a level 1 to 4. If your hair is medium brown, you're likely a level 5 or 6. If your hair is a darker blonde or light brown, you're probably a level 7 or 8. And, if you have light blonde hair, you're likely a level 9 or 10.
It's important to note that everyone's hair is unique, and there may be slight variations within each level. Additionally, factors such as lighting and the health of your hair can affect how your hair color appears.
Pigments And Color Levels
Understanding hair color levels is not only about the darkness of your hair, but also the underlying pigments. Hair color is made up of two primary pigments: dark (eumelanin) and light (phaeomelanin).
In addition to levels, hair color charts also display the underlying pigments within each shade. For example, a level 7 blonde may have a gold or yellow undertone, while a level 9 blonde may have a more neutral or cool undertone.
When selecting a hair color, it's important to consider both the level and the underlying pigments. The wrong undertone can result in an unflattering color or an unexpected result.
In Conclusion
Understanding hair color levels is an important step in selecting the right hair color for you. By identifying your own level and the underlying pigments, you can make informed decisions about your hair color. Remember, everyone's hair is unique, so it's important to consult with a professional if you're unsure about which shade to choose.
So, what level is your hair color? Use a hair color chart to find out and experiment with different shades and hues to find your perfect match.
FAQs
To understand this in a real-world application, the darkest hair color (black) is a 1 and light blonde is a 10. Brown-colored locks range from level 2 to level 5 (dark brown to light brown) and level 6 and upwards cover the blonder shades. Some charts even go up to level 12, which is considered ultra-blonde.
How do I know what level my hair color is? ›
How to Find Your Current Hair Level
- Choose a section of your hair that is farthest from the crown of your head and hold it up and out, separating it from the rest of your hair. ...
- Take a close look at the shade of hair and match it to our hair color chart.
Ever wonder what the numbers and letters on hair color boxes stand for? Tone is indicated by the letter, while level is indicated by the number. Fun fact: every natural hair color is some combination of black, brown, yellow, and red. The yellow and red pigments in your hair are responsible for underlying tone.
What is the difference between Level 3 and Level 4 hair color? ›
Level 3 is a smidge lighter than level 2 with a dark brown that's more similar to dark chocolate. It's brown even from a distance but dark enough that significant lightening will have to be done to get it to show bold colors. Level 4 is brown. This is the common and chocolatey “true brown”.
What is the difference between Level 1 and Level 2 hair color? ›
Semi-permanent hair colors commonly won't show on level 1 hair by any stretch of the imagination, as the base is excessively dim for any shade to be noticeable. From that level, the hair will slowly get lighter as they level up, with level 2 being the darkest brown, 3 and 4 being darker to medium brown tones.
What does level 7 hair look like? ›
If you were lucky enough to be born as a natural 7.0, your technical colour description is Medium Blonde. Chances are you consider your hair to be any shade from fair to light brown, dirty blonde, mousy and other equally unflattering descriptions – but in reality, you've won the hair shade lottery!
How do I know what shade to dye my hair? ›
A great rule is to stick to within two shades of your natural hair, in terms of light or dark, as your hair shade usually matches your complexion. Go too dark and your natural skin colour will probably be washed out, and vice-versa.
What is the rule in hair coloring? ›
It's All About The Base
Going darker or lighter than your natural hair color offers an immediate update to your hair style. The first "Golden Rule" of color choice is to stay within two levels of your natural or base color. This applies to both lighter and darker shades.
What does n mean in a hair color chart? ›
Natural tones (N) are neutral in color, which means they contain a balance of warm and cool tones. They are best for covering gray hair. PRO-TIP: N is best for covering gray hair and giving a natural-looking result. Since gray hairs have lost their natural pigment, they soak up dyes more readily.
How do I figure out my hair color? ›
Start by parting the back of your hair down the center. Then, cover up any dyed sections of hair so that you're able to focus on evaluating your scalp. Have a friend match the color against our color chart to figure out the color closest to your own. For best results, make sure you're in bright, natural lighting.
First, using the guides, I figure out my natural hair color is a level 6 (Dark Blonde) with no grays.
What does a level 8 hair color look like? ›
Think of it as the Goldilocks of hair colors – not too light, but not too dark. It's just right. This hue sits comfortably in the middle of the blonde spectrum, making it perfect for folks who crave change but don't want to venture too far into light or dark.
How do I tell what level my hair is? ›
The easiest way to identify your hair color level is by looking at your natural hair color. This is the color your hair is without any dyes or treatments. If your hair is dark brown or black, you're probably a level 1 to 4. If your hair is medium brown, you're likely a level 5 or 6.
How to read hair color code? ›
A hair color number has a maximum of four digits, a maximum of 2 before the decimal point, and a maximum of 2 numbers after the decimal point. E.g., 3, 6.8, 8.34, 10.21 refers to different hair color numbers. Let's look at the code 8.34 as an example. The number (8) before the point is indicative of the level of color.
Do I have dark blonde or light brown hair? ›
Hair undertones also play a role in distinguishing between light brown hair and dark blonde hair. A natural dark blonde hair color will have underlying golden or yellow pigments and may lighten in the sun. In comparison, light brown hair colors tend to be richer and have more of a reddish or bronzy undertone.
What does a Level 8 hair color look like? ›
Think of it as the Goldilocks of hair colors – not too light, but not too dark. It's just right. This hue sits comfortably in the middle of the blonde spectrum, making it perfect for folks who crave change but don't want to venture too far into light or dark.
What is a Level 1 hair color? ›
The level system is made up of 10 numbers which help determine the depth level of your natural hair. 1 is black, 5 is light brown, 6 is dark blonde, 7 is blonde and 10 is the lightest blonde.
How do you classify hair color? ›
The scale uses the following designations: A (very light blond), B to E (light blond), F to L (blond), M to O (dark blond), P to T (light brown to brown), U to Y (dark brown to black) and Roman numerals I to IV (red) and V to VI (red blond).
What is the hair dye number scale? ›
The higher the first number, the brighter the tone of the hair. (e.g., 1-black, 10- lightest blonde). Generally, it refers to 1 black, 5 light brown, 6 dark blond, 7 blond and 10 lightest blondes in the rating. This universal numbering system is used by all professional hairdressing brands.
