Home / Hair Color Chart
The colorspectrum
Every shade, from jet black to icy silver. Hover over a square (or tap it on your phone) to see the color's name and the base you need underneath to get there. Amy does it all at The Fringe: balayage, highlights, vivid fashion colors and color corrections. Bring the shade you love to your consultation.
The level scale
Colorists measure hair from level 1 (black) to level 10 (lightest blonde). The "base" on each swatch is the level your hair needs to be at, naturally or after lightening, before that shade goes on.
Naturals & Browns
Deposit-friendly shades. Going darker works on almost any base; going lighter than your natural level needs lift.
Blondes
Every blonde starts with lightening. The lighter and cooler the blonde, the paler the yellow you need underneath.
Reds & Coppers
Reds love warmth. Deep reds deposit over darker hair; bright reds and coppers need some lift underneath.
Pinks & Roses
Pinks are sheer. They need clean, light yellow underneath or they turn coral.
Purples
Violet sits opposite yellow on the color wheel, so purples are forgiving, but pastels still need pale yellow.
Blues & Greens
Blue plus any leftover yellow equals green, so blues need a very clean, pale base.
Silvers & Greys
Grey is the hardest color to get: even dark smoky greys need the palest blonde underneath.
How bases work
Color adds, it doesn't erase
Hair color is see-through. Whatever is already in your hair mixes with the new shade, so the lighter the color you want, the lighter your base has to be.
- DarkerGoing darker or richer is easy: it deposits over almost any base.
- LighterGoing lighter means lifting first. As hair lightens it passes through red, orange, gold and yellow.
- PastelPastels, platinum and silver need the palest yellow (level 10), or the leftover warmth shows through.
- ToneOpposites cancel: violet cancels yellow, blue cancels orange, green cancels red.
FAQ
Color questions
What does "base level" mean in hair color?
It's how light or dark the hair is before color goes on, on a scale from 1 (black) to 10 (lightest blonde). Each shade needs a certain base level to show up true.
What level do I need for pastel or silver hair?
Pastels, platinum and silver all need hair lightened to about level 10, the palest yellow. Any leftover gold or orange will tint the final color.
Can I go from dark brown to blonde in one appointment?
Sometimes, but big jumps in level often take more than one session to keep the hair healthy. A consultation is the best way to find out.
Why does blue hair turn green?
Blue over leftover yellow makes green. Blues need a very pale, clean base so there's little yellow underneath.
This chart is a general guide. Results depend on your hair's history, porosity and any color already in it. Ready for a change? Amy does color as well as cuts, so your shade and your shape get planned together. Call or text to book a color consultation.
Book yourcolor
Call or text (954) 632-0433