Understanding the Excellence Hair Colour Chart: A Guide to Choosing Your Perfect Shade
When it comes to at‑home hair color, L’Oréal Paris Excellence offers one of the most comprehensive shade ranges on the market. The Excellence Hair Colour Chart is designed to help you match your natural tone, experiment with highlights, or go bold with a completely new hue. This article walks you through how to read the chart, select the right shade, and keep your color looking vibrant day after day.
How the Excellence Hair Colour Chart Is Organized
The chart groups shades into three main families: Natural Brown, Cool Blonde, and Rich Red. Each family is numbered from 1 to 10, with lower numbers indicating darker tones and higher numbers indicating lighter tones. Within each number, a letter (A, B, C, etc.) denotes subtle variations such as ash, gold, or copper undertones.
- 1A – 2A: Deep black and dark brown shades for intense, natural looks.
- 3A – 5A: Medium to light brown shades, including natural brown, caramel, and chocolate.
- 6A – 8A: Blonde family, ranging from warm honey to cool ash blonde.
- 9A – 10A: Very light blonde and platinum shades, best suited for those with very light natural hair.
- Red Series (4R, 5R, 6R): Vibrant copper, auburn, and ruby tones that add a pop of color without full‑on red.
Reading the Chart: Tips for Accurate Shade Matching
- Start with Your Natural Color: Locate the shade that most closely resembles your current hair color. This provides a baseline for selecting a shade that will blend naturally.
- Consider Undertones: If your skin has cool undertones, look for ash or violet‑based colors (e.g., 6A Ash Blonde). Warm‑skinned individuals may prefer golden or copper tones (e.g., 6A Gold Blonde).
- Use the “Lift” Principle: The chart indicates how many levels a shade can lift your natural color. For example, a 4A Natural Brown can lift up to three levels, making it a good choice for dark brown hair that needs a lighter look.
- Check the “No Ammonia” Options: L’Or
