Hair Colour Numbering System | L'Oréal Professionnel UK (2024)

What do the numbers in hair colour mean?

When it comes to changing the colour of your hair – knowing some basic information about how hair colour charts work can be fundamental in understanding the options presented to you in-salon.

THE L’ORÉAL PROFESSIONNEL COLOUR NUMBERING SYSTEM EXPLAINED

Your L’Oréal Professionnel colourist will use our international colour numbering system during your bespoke in-salon consultation to identify which depth and tones/reflects will best suit you and your hair. We have decoded the hair colour numbering system: one of the key tools which will help you better understand the complexity that goes into your hair colour service in-salon.

There are up to 4 figures in a hair colour number, up to 2 before the decimal point and up to 2 after the decimal point.For example, 3, 5.8, 6.13 and 10.21 are all L’Oréal Professionnel hair colour numbers.

Hair Colour Numbering System | L'Oréal Professionnel UK (1)

Understanding Hair Colour Charts

WHAT IS A NATURAL BASE COLOUR?

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. Your L’Oréal Professionnel colourist will analyse your hair and assess your natural base colour in-salon.

WHAT IS A BASE COLOUR?

The first number which appears on the colour chart is the base colour. This number indicates the base level of the shade you would like to achieve. It shows how light or dark the colour is.

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WHAT IS A TONE OR REFLECT OF COLOUR?

Next your colourist will look at thesecond and third numberson the colour chart that appear after the period mark. These numbers indicate the primary and secondary reflects/tones that are present in the colour.

For example,.1 = Ash, .2 = Iridescent, .3 = Golden, .4 = Copper

This system also allows your colourist to neutralise the colour, so for example to avoid a blonde hair colour from becoming too warm; they could add more .2 (violet) or .1 (blue) to counteract the yellow or orange tones that appear naturally.

The outcome of your final target shade will also be influenced by several other factors that need to be assessed by your L’Oréal Professionnel colourist such as undercoat and distribution of pigment.

Whether you have a specific colour in mind or are in need of some inspiration, your L’Oréal Professionnel colourist can offer you a bespoke service to identify the best hair colour for you. Taking into consideration your natural hair colour, skin tone and eye colour they will create a personalised shade that can help emphasise and illuminate your features. Ask for a colour consultation at your nearest L’Oréal Professionnel salon today to receive your personalised and tailored colour.

Inspired? Discover what hair colours suit you with ourvirtual hair colour try-on tool.

Hair Colour Numbering System | L'Oréal Professionnel UK (2024)

FAQs

Hair Colour Numbering System | L'Oréal Professionnel UK? ›

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. Your L'Oréal Professionnel colourist will analyse your hair and assess your natural base colour in-salon.

What do the numbers mean on Loreal hair color? ›

It all starts with the hair colour numbering system: The first number is the base colour and indicates how light or dark the colour is. 1.0 is black, 5.0 is light brown, 6.0 is dark blonde, 7.0 is medium blonde and 10 is the lightest blonde.

How are hair colors numbered? ›

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.

What is Loreal number 1 hair color? ›

L'Oréal Paris Excellence Crème Permanent Hair Dye, Up to 100% Grey Hair Coverage, 1 Natural Darkest Black.

What are the hair levels Loreal? ›

Level 1 hair colour is black, level 2 hair colour is the second darkest black, 3 is brown/black, level 4 hair colour is dark brown, level 5 hair colour is light brown, level 6 hair colour is dark blond, level 7 hair colour is dark blond, level 8 hair colour is medium blond, 9 is light blond and 10 is white/platinum.

What color is Loreal number 3? ›

3 Dark Brown

What does Level 3 mean on Loreal hair color? ›

Level 1 hair colour is black, level 2 hair colour is the second darkest black, 3 is brown/black, level 4 hair colour is dark brown, level 5 hair colour is light brown, level 6 hair colour is dark blond, level 7 hair colour is dark blond, level 8 hair colour is medium blond, 9 is light blond and 10 is white/platinum.

What is the European level system of hair color? ›

Hairdressers use an international numbering system to describe the lightness of hair color in humans. The color levels go from 1 Black all the way up to 10 Extra Light Blonde. The most commonly occurring hair color in European hair is typically level 6 for France, and level 7 for North European countries.

How do you read hair color numbers and letters? ›

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 are the 4 classifications of hair color? ›

The four most common classifications are permanent, demi-permanent (sometimes called deposit only), semi-permanent, and temporary.

Which hair color is better Loreal or Clairol? ›

Best overall: L'Oréal Paris Excellence Créme Permanent Hair Color. Best semi-permanent hair dye: Clairol Natural Instincts. Best 10-minute application: Clairol Nice N' Easy Perfect 10 Hair Color. Best for root touch-up: Clairol Nice 'n Easy Root Touch-Up Kit.

Is Loreal Excellence better than Preference? ›

For multi-dimensional, salon-inspired results, we recommend using Preference. To cover resistant grays, we recommend using Excellence.

Which Loreal shade is best? ›

You can find your foundation color match by choosing a shade that aligns with both your skin tone and undertone. For example, if you have medium-deep skin with warm undertones, look at the warm shades in the medium-deep category—W7, W8, and W9—and choose the foundation shade that best matches your skin.

What are the colour levels in Loreal? ›

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.

What are the four divisions of Loreal? ›

Focus On Our 4 Divisions

L'Oréal's global flotilla of brands is organised as 4 complementary Divisions, with each one developing a specific vision of Beauty for its respective market: Professional Products Division, Consumer Products Division, L'Oréal Luxe and the Dermatological Beauty Division.

What is Loreal colour number 13? ›

Loreal Majirel Majilift 13 Shade- Lighest Brown is a great choice when you're looking to add flashes of gold to a dark base hair colour whether natural or tinted. Its formula has a very high degree of lift which means you don't need to pre-lighten and that it gives really intense results.

What does 4.15 mean on hair dye? ›

The first number of a Hair Colour is how Light or Dark the Brown hair dye will be, for example brown shades range from 4, Dark Brown to 6, Light Brown. The second number is the reflect which can be Natural (. 0), Warm (. 3, .

What does 6n hair color look like? ›

6n is technically light brown neutral tone. A medium brown would be either a level 5 or 4 depending on what you consider medium brown.

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