In relation to hair color, what does the term "level" signify?

The term "level" in relation to hair color specifically refers to the depth or darkness of the color. Hair color is categorized on a scale, typically from 1 to 10, where level 1 represents the darkest black shade and level 10 represents the lightest blonde. This system helps professionals communicate about hair color more effectively, allowing for precise color matching and formulation.

Understanding levels is crucial in hair coloring, as it aids in identifying how much lighter or darker one might want to go on the scale. For instance, if a client desires a lighter hue but currently has a level 5 (medium brown), a stylist might consider options between level 6 (dark blonde) and level 7 (light blonde) depending on the client’s goals and hair health.

The vibrancy of the color, temperature of the shade, and duration of color retention refer to different aspects of hair color that do not define the level. Vibrancy relates to how vivid or muted a color might appear; temperature pertains to whether a color has warm (golden, red) or cool (ash, violet) undertones; and duration speaks to how long the color will last before fading.