Hair Color Levels Guide: What Is My Perfect Shade?

Discover the hair color levels system, and trustful hair extensions company, and learn how to achieve your ideal shades.

Knowing your hair color levels is essential to achieve the right shade. This guide covers everything including understanding your natural hair level and choosing the best extension or dye for a perfect transformation.
In this guide, you will find expert tips to help you make the right choice that will help you keep your hair stunning.

1. What are the hair color levels?

On a scale between level 1 (darkest black) and level 10 (lightest blonde), hair is classified depending on its lightness or darkness. The hair color levels help hairstylists, colorists, and clients choose suitable hair dyes or extensions.

Every level shows the hair’s lightest or darkest shade that has some natural pigments. While lower levels have an increased concentration of pigments making them darker, the higher levels have a lower concentration of pigments, making them lighter. It is essential for those who are attempting to change their color to understand this principle which tells them whether or not they need to bleach hair.

From brown through several shades, you get to black and later platinum blonde. From dark to light, there are 10 different shades and each is known as undertones. In addition, each level contains the features and characteristics of hair alongside the color which also changes with the light angle.

1.1. Dark hair shades (Levels 1-3)

There are three shades of the darkest hair color levels, including darkest black, black, and darkest brown. To be specific:

• Level 1 hair color – Darkest black: This level is the deepest and darkest black without even a hint of brown undertone. In addition, this type of hair does not reflect light. This hair color gives out ‘call black’ or ‘raven black’ vibes. Those with this kind of natural hair color have the highest levels of eumelanin or in other words, people with this type of hair have the highest concentration of eumelanin.
• Level 2 hair color – Black: This hair shade is dark black but not as much pure black, and has warm hints of gold and sunshine in muted conditions. East Asians, Africans, and Middle Eastern folks often sport this style.
• Level 3 hair color – Darkest brown: Some might see this hair type as black while others term it as pure brown color. But in some cases, people would like to call this shade soft black and brown because of the light it gets. Pure dark brown is how it should be described.

1.2. Medium brown shades (Levels 4-6)

There are three hair color levels in medium brown shades part including dark brown, medium brown, and medium light brown. To be specific:

• Level 4 hair color – Dark brown: This dark chocolate Level 4 shade of brown sits beautifully between dark and medium brown. It possesses a neutral warmth that allows it to blend effortlessly as a base for highlights or balayage.
• Level 5 hair color – Medium brown: This color also termed “natural brown” goes well with dark and light skin types. It works superbly as an underlying brown base for neutral, warm, or even cool dark hair shades.
• Level 6 brown hair color – Medium light brown: This level’s honey brown gamut is ideal for warm blonde or caramel, light brown transitions. Best suited for the sun-kissed brunes, the shade works well for all skin types.

1.3. Blonde shades (Levels 7-10)

There are four hair color levels in blonde shades part including lightest brown, dark blonde, and medium blonde, lightest blonde. To be specific:

• Level 7 hair color – Lightest brown: This bronde nuance between brown and blonde is liked by many. This shade is common among lightened brunettes and is often adorned with golden hues.
• Level 8 hair color – Dark blonde: This warm level 8 blonde has a golden or beige undertone, making it a reputable base for ash blonde, or honey blonde highlights. This hair color suits all complexions and pairs well with many colors.
• Level 9 blonde hair color: Medium blonde: This was created in light blonde and its bright creamy appearance is what sets it apart from the rest. It has golden and silver undertones which makes it look fantastic in champagne or pearl blonde shades.
• Level 10 hair color: Lightest blonde: The lightest shade of blonde is often called platinum or icy blonde. At this level, there is very little pigment remaining and the hair is almost always bleached. This is especially challenging for people who have dark hair from the start.

2. How to define hair color levels?

It’s always good to have a rough estimate of the shade of color you’re after before heading for the appointment at the salon. Here are some methods to determine which hair color levels are. Furthermore, if you did dye your hair to lighten the color, you will be unable to do so with another dye.

1. Step 1: Select a small section of hair: Pick out a make out of hair away from the bunch of hair you want to analyze. This method is best suited when the color check is done in natural light since hair color can be overly dark and light when indoors illuminated with artificial lighting.
2. Step 2: Take a photo for reference: If your hair length is long enough, push the hair that frames your face upwards while ensuring the light is around you. If that does not work, then you can take a photograph of your hairstyle instead. If you have a hair color chart or hair strands, then you can compare it to the sample picture you took.
3. Step 3: Match your hair to the right level: Compare the hair color against the different color shades charts by using the level system of hair coloring. It is important to know the range of hair levels before measuring accurately. How light or deep your hair is defines hair levels, making it easier to define what color transformation you are trying to achieve.

3. How to get your perfect hair shade?

To find the perfect hair color levels for you, you need to know your level of natural hair color, decide how you would like to change your shade and determine the maintenance needed to keep it looking great. The two common methods for achieving your desired hair color are either to dye the hair or use hair extensions.

3.1. Dyeing your hair

After defining your hair color levels, follow these four steps below to get your perfect hair dye without much effort:

1. Step 1: Determine your natural hair level: Dyeing is the most common method for altering hair color, whether that be with subtle tones or bold hues. Hair needs to be up to the proper level (1 – darkest black to 10 – lightest blonde) before dyeing, so this is important to know in advance of the dyeing process for optimal results.
2. Step 2: Choose the right type of hair dye: Permanent, semi-permanent, demi-permanent, or temporary hair dyes are available to choose from. Permanent dyes seep into the hair shaft for long-lasting color, while semi-permanent and demi-permanent dyes gradually wash away after several shampoos. If you’re hesitant to commit to a color, temporary dyes can experiment without long-term effects.
3. Step 3: Decide whether you need bleaching: The undertones matter as much if not more, than the color itself when striving for a balanced overall look. Golden, caramel, or copper shades complement warmer skin tones, while platinum, ashy, or cool-toned browns best flatter cooler skin tones. Having a neutral skin smooth allows you to wear both warm and cool hair colors.
4. Step 4: Select the right undertone: Stability depends on choosing the correct undertone after reaching your perfect hair tone. Shampoos without sulfates together with color-protecting products and reduced heat application help prolong the lifespan as well as prevent fading of the color vibrancy in the hair. The duration between refreshes depends on whether you use permanent or semi-permanent hair dye products.

3.2. Hair extensions

Hair extensions are ideal for trying out hair colors without committing to permanent dye. There are extensions to make you look long, thick, or highlighted, or to make you a bold color streak.

1. Step 1: Choose the right type of hair extensions: Depending on how long you intend to keep the extensions, there are various types to select from. Clip-in extensions can be used as temporary ones, tape-in extensions as semi-permanent and so weave (sew-in) extensions if you have thick, coarse hair. Other extension types include hair toppers, hair wigs, and bulk hair.
2. Step 2: Color matching your extensions: The most important part is choosing the right color for the extension. If you want to add lightening effects, pick extensions that are lighter than your hair color levels one to two shades. They should match the mid-lengths and ends of your hair, instead of the roots.
3. Step 3: Choosing a company: It is important when you choose the hair extensions to make sure that they are from a reputable company. For example, Vin Hair is a renowned seller in their hair extension sale. When you select Vin Hair, you will not fail to get quality hair extensions made from raw human hair that can be styled easily. They have a lot of extensions for the bulk hair, wigs, weft hair, and clip-ins.

Conclusion

A perfect hair color requires knowledge of your hair color levels together with method selection along with proper maintenance to ensure your desired result. If you want to take it easy, you can choose to use hair extensions from reputable suppliers like Vin Hair.