Unlock the Secrets of Hair Color Theory

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Understanding the Law of Color
   • Primary Colors
   • Secondary Colors
   • Tertiary Colors
   • Complementary Colors
3. The Level System and Underlying Pigment
4. The Structure of the Hair
   • The Cuticle
   • The Cortex
   • The Medulla
5. Hair Texture
   • Fine Hair
   • Medium Hair
   • Coarse Hair
6. Hair Density
7. Porosity of the Hair
   • High Porosity
   • Medium Porosity
   • Low Porosity
8. Formulating Hair Color
   • Types of Dyes
   • Direct Dyes vs Indirect Dyes
   • The Role of Developer
9. Kenra Color's Five Steps to Formulation
10. Conclusion

Understanding Hair Color Fundamentals

Hair color is an essential aspect of the hairstyling industry. As a stylist, it is crucial to grasp the fundamentals of hair color to become an experienced colorist. This article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of various hair color concepts, including the law of color, the level system, underlying pigment, hair structure, texture, density, porosity, and hair color formulation.

Introduction

Hair color is not exclusive to any particular brand; it is a universal concept that applies to all color brands. To comprehend the intricacies of coloring hair, an understanding of the law of color is imperative. The color wheel serves as a valuable tool in comprehending the nature of colors and how they interact with each other.

Understanding the Law of Color

The law of color begins with primary colors: red, blue, and yellow. These colors exist independently and cannot be created by combining other colors. When mixed, the primary colors yield shades of brown or neutrality.

Moving on to secondary colors, they are formed by mixing two primary colors together. For instance, red and yellow create orange, red and blue form violet, and blue and yellow result in green.

Tertiary colors, on the other hand, are achieved by mixing a primary color with a secondary color in equal proportions. This combination broadens the color palette and offers more possibilities in hair coloring.

Complementary colors are formed by selecting two colors that reside opposite each other on the color wheel. Complementary colors not only complement each other but also neutralize each other. Understanding complementary colors is essential for formulating hair colors that eliminate unwanted tones.

The Level System and Underlying Pigment

In hair color terminology, the level system refers to the measurement of lightness or darkness in hair. It ranges from level 1, the darkest brown or black, to level 10, the lightest pale blonde. Kenra Color employs a level system from 1 to 10, excluding level 2 due to its indistinguishability to the human eye.

Underlying pigment refers to the natural hair pigment that is present in everyone's hair. It becomes visually prominent when the hair undergoes color lifting. For example, when lifting a natural level 6 hair to level 8, gold tones may be exposed. In such cases, referencing the color wheel becomes crucial. Knowing that violet cancels out gold, a violet-based color can be used to achieve a beautiful blonde result.

The Structure of the Hair

Hair is divided into three distinct layers: the cuticle, the cortex, and the medulla. The cuticle is the outermost layer responsible for opening and closing to accept substances like moisture and hair color. The cortex, located beneath the cuticle, is where most chemical processes take place. The medulla, present mostly in coarse hair structures, is not present in everyone's hair.

Hair Texture

Hair texture categorizes hair into three main types: fine, medium, and coarse. Fine hair is the thinnest and most delicate, while medium hair is the most common type. Coarse hair, on the other hand, is thicker in diameter and more resistant to damage. Understanding hair texture is crucial for selecting appropriate color formulas.

Hair Density

Hair density refers to the number of hairs on the scalp and how closely they are packed together. It can vary from high density, where there is an abundance of hair strands, to low density, where there are fewer strands. Hair density plays a significant role in formulating hair colors to achieve the desired result.

Porosity of the Hair

Hair porosity refers to the hair's ability to absorb and retain substances like moisture and hair color. It can be divided into three categories: high porosity, medium porosity, and low porosity. High porosity hair readily accepts hair color but tends to fade quickly. Low porosity hair, on the other hand, may be resistant to hair color, requiring a longer processing time.

Formulating Hair Color

Formulating hair color requires an understanding of different types of dyes and the role of developers. Direct dyes are larger molecules that do not require a developer and reside on the cuticle layer of the hair. Indirect dyes, on the other hand, are smaller molecules that require a developer and penetrate the cortex layer. Using the appropriate developer for a specific brand of hair color ensures optimal performance and integrity of the color.

Kenra Color's Five Steps to Formulation

Kenra Color offers a five-step approach to hair color formulation, making the process even more accessible and efficient. These steps provide a systematic method for achieving desired results and ensure consistency in color application.

Conclusion

Understanding the fundamentals of hair color is essential for any professional colorist. From comprehending the color wheel and the level system to considering hair texture, density, and porosity, each aspect contributes to successful hair color formulas. Kenra Color's comprehensive approach to color formulation further enhances the process, allowing stylists to create beautiful and personalized hair colors with ease.

Highlights:

• Hair color fundamentals are crucial for becoming an experienced colorist.
• The color wheel helps understand color interaction and complementary colors.
• The level system measures the lightness or darkness of hair.
• Underlying pigment plays a significant role in hair color formulation.
• Hair structure, texture, density, and porosity affect color application.
• Different types of dyes and developers are used in hair coloring.
• Kenra Color offers a systematic approach to hair color formulation.

FAQ:

Q: How does the color wheel assist in hair color formulation? A: The color wheel helps colorists understand color interaction, complementary colors, and how to neutralize unwanted tones.

Q: What is the level system in hair color? A: The level system measures the lightness or darkness of hair, ranging from level 1 (darkest) to level 10 (lightest).

Q: Why is understanding underlying pigment important in hair coloring? A: Underlying pigment influences the outcome of hair color when lifting or depositing color. It helps colorists formulate the right shade to achieve desired results.

Q: Why is considering hair texture and density important in hair color formulation? A: Hair texture and density affect how color formulas are absorbed and behave on the hair. They help colorists choose appropriate formulas for optimal results.

Q: What are the different types of dyes used in hair coloring? A: There are direct dyes, which do not require a developer, and indirect dyes, which require a developer. Direct dyes reside on the cuticle layer, while indirect dyes penetrate the cortex layer of the hair.

Q: How does Kenra Color simplify hair color formulation? A: Kenra Color offers a five-step approach to formulation, providing structure and guidance for achieving desired results consistently.