What Is a Hair Colour Chart Book?
A Hair Colour Chart Book is the professional reference that stylists use to match, mix, and recommend hair dye. It contains every shade a brand offers, organized by a systematic code of letters and numbers. The chart not only displays the final colour but also provides vital information on undertones, level, and formulation.
How to Read the Letters and Numbers
Most major brands—L’Oréal Majirel, Wella, Keune, and others—use a similar alphanumeric system. Understanding this system helps you navigate any chart book with confidence.
Letter Codes
- A – Ash (cool, violet‑blue undertones)
- B – Bronze (warm, reddish‑gold undertones)
- C – Copper (intense orange‑red undertones)
- D – Dark (deep, often neutral bases)
- E – Emerald (greenish undertones, rare in most lines)
- F – Frost (light, pastel, or highlighted tones)
- G – Gold (warm, sunny undertones)
- H – Hazel (soft, muted blends)
Number Codes
- 1–2 – Very dark, almost black shades
- 3–4 – Dark brown
- 5–6 – Medium brown
- 7–8 – Light brown to dark blonde
- 9–10 – Blonde, with 10 being the lightest
- 11–12 – Very light blonde or platinum
When a code reads 7A, it means a level‑7 (light brown) shade with an ash undertone. A code like 3C indicates a level‑3 (dark brown) colour with copper highlights.
L’Oréal Majirel and Highlights Shade Card
L’Oréal’s Majirel line is renowned for its rich, long‑lasting pigments. The Majirel Highlights Shade Card follows the same alphanumeric pattern but adds a “H” suffix for highlighted tones. For example, 5AH is a medium‑brown ash shade designed for foil highlights. The chart also shows how to blend the base colour with the highlight to achieve seamless transitions.
Keune Colour System
Keune’s 2023 colour range, promoted under hashtags like #keunecolor and #keunenamerica, introduces a refreshed visual guide. The Keune chart emphasizes the following:
- Clear separation of permanent, demi‑permanent, and pastel collections.
- Side‑by‑side swatches for direct comparison of cool vs. warm versions.
