California Cosmetology Written ExamHaircoloringHard
A colorist is preparing to lighten a client's level 5 natural brown hair. Consulting the underlying pigment (contributing pigment) chart, which color is the underlying pigment typically exposed at level 5 during decolorization?
- ARed
- BYellow-orange
- CPale yellow
- DRed-orange
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Red-orange
On the standard underlying pigment chart, level 5 exposes a red-orange contributing pigment during the lightening process; as lightening continues toward higher levels the pigment progresses through orange (level 6-7), yellow-orange (level 7-8), yellow (level 8-9), and pale yellow (level 10).
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Red alone corresponds to level 4, one level darker
- B. Yellow-orange corresponds to level 7-8, not level 5
- C. Pale yellow corresponds to level 10, the lightest stage
Underlying Pigment Chart
A reference chart showing the natural contributing pigment exposed at each level during decolorization.
- Level 1-2: Black/blue-black
- Level 3-4: Brown/red
- Level 5: Red-orange
- Level 9-10: Yellow to pale yellow
Memory trick: BRown-Red-ORange-Yellow-Pale: darkest to lightest as levels rise