Hair color guide
The level scale, from 1 to 10
Colorists describe depth on a scale from 1 (black) to 10 (lightest blonde). Knowing your starting level tells you how big a change really is: each level of lift is more time, more care and sometimes another visit.
- 1Black
- 2Darkest brown
- 3Dark brown
- 4Medium brown
- 5Light brown
- 6Dark blonde
- 7Medium blonde
- 8Light blonde
- 9Very light blonde
- 10Lightest blonde
Swatches are approximate and screen-dependent. Your stylist reads your level in daylight at the consultation.
Techniques, lift and upkeep
How far each service lightens, how many visits it usually takes and how long it lasts between appointments.
| Technique | Lift | Visits | Refresh every | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gloss or toner | No lift, tone only | 1 | 6 to 8 weeks | Shine and refreshing faded tones |
| Root color | Up to 1 level | 1 | 4 to 6 weeks | Gray coverage at the part |
| Foil highlights | 2 to 4 levels | 1 to 2 | 6 to 10 weeks | Bright, even blonde |
| Balayage | 2 to 4 levels | 1 to 2 | 12 to 16 weeks | Soft, lived-in grow-out |
| Platinum or icy blonde | 5 levels or more | 2 to 4 | 4 to 6 weeks | High-contrast change, planned slowly |
| Color correction | Varies | 2 or more | Planned per visit | Uneven or box-dyed hair |
Read the balayage or foils article for help choosing between the two most popular options.
Not sure where your hair sits on the scale? Book a free consultation
Make an appointmentHair care that keeps working at home
Color and cut look their best the day you leave. What happens over the next six weeks depends on your shampoo, your conditioner and the heat you use, so every appointment ends with a short, honest plan built around what you already own.
When something genuinely needs replacing, we keep a small shelf of color-safe, weather-proof basics. No hard sell and no twelve-step routines.
