California Cosmetology Written ExamHaircoloringHard
A cosmetologist is lightening a client's level 3 natural brown hair. During processing, the hair passes through a series of predictable color stages. Which stage occurs immediately after the red-orange stage during the decolorization process?
- AYellow
- BOrange
- CPale yellow
- DRed
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Orange
The standard decolorization/lightening stages progress in order: black, brown, red-brown, red, red-orange, orange, yellow-orange, yellow, and pale yellow. Orange follows red-orange in this sequence as melanin is progressively broken down.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Yellow occurs later, after the orange and yellow-orange stages.
- C. Pale yellow is the final, lightest stage of decolorization.
- D. Red occurs earlier in the sequence, before red-orange.
Stages of Decolorization
The predictable sequence of color changes hair passes through as melanin is lightened during the bleaching process.
- Sequence: black > brown > red-brown > red > red-orange > orange > yellow-orange > yellow > pale yellow
- Reflects breakdown of eumelanin then pheomelanin
- Darker natural levels start further back in the sequence
Memory trick: Big Brown Rabbits Ran Right Over Your Yard (Black-Brown-Red-brown-Red-Red-orange-Orange-Yellow-orange-Yellow).