What Level is My Hair?

If you’ve been in a salon chair or browsed on the GDY website, you’ve probably heard something about “levels” in relation to your hair! But what exactly are we talking about, and why does it matter? Knowing the level of your hair is key information when it comes to transforming your hair color and getting results you’ll love. Have no fear! Team GDY is here.

What are the different levels of hair?

Hair levels are like a secret code for your hair, ranging from 1 (deepest black) to 10 (lightest blonde). Knowing your level helps you unlock the perfect formula to achieve your dream hair color.

Natural Levels vs Lightened Levels 

Now, this is where things can get a little tricky. The same hair level may appear very different depending on your natural color and whether the hair has been lightened. For example, a natural level 7 can appear as mousy brown, whereas a lightened level 7 can appear orange. This is because hair has an underlying pigment at every level that becomes exposed with bleach. If you’ve ever splashed bleach on a black T-shirt (yikes!) and watched it turn a funky orange color, the effect is essentially the same.

Need a visual? We’ve got you! Check out the charts below.

Pro Hair Stylist Hack: Pre-Toning 

Pre-toning can play an important role in obtaining your desired color. For example, if you lighten your hair to a level 8 and it appears very yellow, applying a color like Sky High will not fully mask those underlying pigments. The result will be teal instead of soft blue, because blue and yellow make green. You have two options in this case: 1) lighten the hair to a level 9 or 10 so that the yellow undertones are not as prevalent or 2) pre-tone.

You can apply GDY’s DYEposit in Platinum for levels 9 and 10. After shampooing out the lightener, apply DYEposit and allow to process for 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly before applying your favorite GDY shade. Note that pre-toning is most important for cool shades (purple, blue and cool pinks) and generally not as necessary for warm shades (red, oranges, yellows and warm pinks).

But I have natural red hair! What should I do? 

We haven’t forgotten about you! Levels of hair depend on lightness or darkness, not color. As such, natural red heads are typically between a level 7 and 8. Looking to switch to a cool tone, like blue or purple? Lighten your hair first, pre-tone, and then apply your desired semi-perm.

Why do I need to lighten my hair?

For the most vibrant and long-lasting results from semi-permanent color, bleaching your hair is essential. Our GDY Lightening Kit creates the perfect canvas for your desired color while increasing hair porosity for better results. It functions by opening the hair cuticle and allowing the pigment in our semi-perm to adhere more effectively for a richer, longer-lasting shade.

What if my hair doesn't lift to a level 10?

For lighter, more pastel tones, it is important to aim for a level 9 or 10. However, if your hair lifts to a level 7 or 8, you still have plenty of options! We recommend shades from our OG or Darker Daze collections. These include Live Laugh Love, All In This Together, Make it Happen, Move Mountains, Blue Ruin, Dream Big, Riot, Toxicity, Rock Lobster, and Ex-Girl.

Both the OG and Darker Daze collections contain a higher pigment load compared to other collections, such as our Lighter Daze pastels. This means they can provide vibrant color even if your hair doesn't reach a level 10.

Had your heart set on pastel pink, but didn’t lift to a level 10? You may just need another round of bleach! Wait at least 24 hours, then perform a test strand with more bleach to see if your hair can handle another round. If the hair becomes stretchy or cotton-like, do not proceed.

If your test strand looks good and your hair can handle another round of lightening, go for it! If your hair cannot handle another round, consider pre-toning or trying a darker semi-perm shade.

And just like that…you're an expert on levels! Now you know what each level looks like, and what to look for when you lighten your own hair. Now it's time to grab yourself a Lightening Kit and start your vivid hair journey.