California Barber Written ExamHair Care ServicesHard
A client has a level 5 (light brown) hair and desires to achieve a vibrant, true red tone. To ensure the red color appears correctly and doesn't lean towards orange or muddy, what underlying pigment should the barber consider neutralizing before applying the red color?
- ABlue
- BOrange
- CGreen
- DYellow
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Orange
When lifting natural hair to a level 5, the underlying pigment that is exposed is typically orange. To ensure a true red and prevent it from appearing too orange or brassy, the barber should neutralize this underlying orange pigment, often using a blue-based toner, before applying the desired red.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Blue is a primary color and neutralizes orange, but it's not the underlying pigment exposed at level 5. It's the neutralizing color.
- C. Green neutralizes red, which is not the goal here.
- D. Yellow is typically exposed at higher lift levels (8-10) and is neutralized by violet.
Underlying Pigment (Level 5)
The dominant pigment visible in natural hair when it is lifted to a Level 5 (light brown), which is typically orange.
- Understanding underlying pigments is crucial for color correction.
- Orange is neutralized by blue.
- Ensures true-to-tone color results.
Memory trick: Orange is Odd at Level 5.