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Quizzes > Lifestyle & Hobbies

Hair Color Theory Test: Levels, Tones, and Formulation

Quick, free cosmetology color theory quiz. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Alexandra SlaterUpdated Aug 27, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for hair color theory quiz on a coral background

This hair color theory test helps you practice levels, tones, formulation, the hair color scale 1-10, and correction basics with quick, scenario-based questions. Then keep learning with our color theory quiz, try a focused hair color test, or review how to lift and deposit haircolor.

Which of the following is a primary color on the hair color wheel?
Orange
Brown
Red
Green
Primary colors on the hair color wheel are red, yellow, and blue, which cannot be created by mixing other colors. They serve as the foundation for all secondary and tertiary shades. Understanding primary colors is essential for formulating color and correcting shades .
What secondary color do you get by mixing red and yellow hair color pigments?
Purple
Brown
Orange
Green
Mixing equal parts red and yellow pigments produces orange, a secondary color on the hair color wheel used to create warm tones. This concept helps stylists predict tonal outcomes when blending shades .
Which color neutralizes brassy orange tones in hair?
Blue
Purple
Green
Yellow
According to complementary color theory, blue sits opposite orange on the color wheel, making it effective for neutralizing unwanted brassy orange tones. Blue-based toners and shampoos are commonly used for this purpose .
On the hair color level system, what numerical level is medium brown?
2
6
4
8
The hair color level system ranges from 1 (black) to 10 (lightest blonde), and medium brown corresponds to level 4. This standardized scale helps professionals communicate depth accurately .
What is the primary function of ammonia in permanent hair color?
To neutralize unwanted tones
To deposit only without lift
To lift and open the hair cuticle
To add shine to hair
Ammonia raises the pH of the hair, causing the cuticle to swell and open so that the color molecules can penetrate the cortex, allowing for permanent color change .
Which developer volume is typically used to lift hair by one level?
40-volume
20-volume
10-volume
30-volume
A 10-volume developer contains about 3% hydrogen peroxide and is designed to lift hair roughly one level while depositing color gently. It's often used for deposit-only services or minimal lift .
What pH range do most permanent hair dyes operate at?
6 - 7
4 - 5
9 - 10
8 - 9
Permanent hair dyes typically have an alkaline pH between 9 and 10 to effectively open the hair cuticle and allow color molecules to penetrate the cortex. Lower pH formulas are used in semi?permanent or demi?permanent products .
Which natural pigment is responsible for brown to black hair shades?
Lycopene
Pheomelanin
Eumelanin
Carotene
Eumelanin is the natural pigment that gives hair its brown to black hues. The amount and distribution of eumelanin determine the depth of darker hair colors .
What pigment does pheomelanin produce in hair?
Red
Yellow
Brown
Black
Pheomelanin is responsible for red and yellow hues in hair. Higher concentrations of pheomelanin result in redder tones, common in ginger or strawberry blonde hair .
Warm tones in hair color are characterized by which hue?
Gold
Violet
Silver
Ash
Gold is considered a warm tone because it sits on the warm side of the color wheel and imparts yellow or golden undertones. Warm tones create a sunny, radiant effect in hair .
Which developer volume is most commonly recommended for 100% gray coverage?
30-volume
40-volume
10-volume
20-volume
A 20-volume developer (6% peroxide) provides enough lift to open the cuticle and achieve full gray coverage while still depositing the new pigment evenly .
Which color neutralizes unwanted red undertones in hair?
Violet
Green
Orange
Blue
Green is opposite red on the color wheel, making it ideal to neutralize unwanted red or brassy undertones with green-based toners or fillers .
Before a full color service, a strand test does NOT check for which of the following?
Allergic reaction
Porosity
Processing time
Elasticity
A strand test evaluates porosity, elasticity, color result, and processing time on a small section of hair. Allergic reactions require a separate patch test on skin, not a strand test .
What is referred to as the "ring of fire" on a hair color wheel?
The sequence of warm hues around red and yellow
The pastel shades on the wheel
The cool tones from blue to violet
The neutral grays in the center
The "ring of fire" describes the ring of warm hues - reds, oranges, and yellows - on the outer edge of the color wheel. This area is key when formulating warm and neutralizing tones .
In a hair color mix, what role does the developer play?
Provides hydrogen peroxide to oxidize dyes
Acts as a conditioning agent only
Neutralizes unwanted tones
Adds ammonia to open the cuticle
The developer contains hydrogen peroxide, which oxidizes the dye precursors and natural melanin in the hair, allowing new color molecules to form and deposit permanently .
What is a soap cap used for in hair coloring?
Blending regrowth and refreshing color
Toning bleached hair
Neutralizing brassy tones
Lightening hair several levels
A soap cap is a mixture of shampoo and hair color applied to blend regrowth and refresh the overall shade without a full reapplication. It gently deposits pigment while cleansing .
In a double-process color application, what is the first step?
Applying semi-permanent color
Lightening the hair to the desired level
Toning the hair
Neutralizing underlying tones
Double-processing involves first lightening the hair (bleaching) to the desired level and then applying a toner or color to achieve the final shade .
Which filler pigment is often used when going from dark brown to copper tones?
Red filler
Violet filler
Green filler
Blue filler
When lifting dark brown hair to copper, you must replace the missing red/orange pigments with a red filler to prevent a muddy or green result and ensure rich copper tones .
What underlying pigment appears when lifting natural level 5 hair?
Brown
Orange
Yellow
Red
Natural level 5 hair, when lightened, shows an underlying orange pigment. Stylists must account for this orange base when choosing a toner or filler .
How does balayage differ from traditional foil highlighting?
It requires a longer processing time
It uses a cap method
It always uses lightener and toner together
It is freehand painting without foils
Balayage is a freehand painting technique that creates a softer, more natural grow-out by applying lightener directly to the hair without foils, unlike traditional foil highlights .
Which developer volume is typically used for a glaze (deposit-only) service?
30-volume
10-volume
20-volume
No developer
A glaze or gloss service is a deposit-only application that commonly uses a 10-volume developer to lightly open the cuticle for pigment without significant lift .
What is the primary purpose of a pH adjuster in a toner formula?
To close the cuticle and seal in color
To open the hair cuticle for deeper penetration
To lighten the hair by several levels
To strip previous color
A pH adjuster is added to toner formulas to lower the pH, which helps close the cuticle after processing, sealing in the new tones and enhancing shine .
Which cross-check is recommended immediately after a bleach service?
Cuticle alignment test
Patch test
Strand elasticity only
Elasticity test
An elasticity test checks the strength and resilience of processed hair, ensuring it has not become overly damaged or brittle after bleaching .
What tool can stylists use to visualize tone intensity and undertones before mixing color?
Shade stick or swatch book
Color depth gauge
pH strip
Hair porosity meter
Shade sticks or swatch books allow stylists to compare hair against standardized tone levels and undertones, aiding in accurate formulation .
What term refers to coloring hair in alternating lighter and darker strands for dimension?
Single process
Soap cap
Full deck highlights
Dimensional color
Dimensional color uses a mixture of highlights and lowlights to create depth and contrast in the hair, often producing a more natural, multi-faceted look .
How many levels can hair typically be lifted using a 40-volume developer?
5 levels
2 levels
4 levels
3 levels
A 40-volume developer (12% peroxide) can lift hair up to four levels in a single application, though it should be used with caution due to its strength .
An ash tone primarily deposits which kind of pigment?
Red
Blue-violet
Yellow
Green
Ash tones contain blue-violet pigments, which neutralize unwanted warm (yellow/orange) undertones, resulting in cooler hair colors .
Under natural level 3 hair, what is the dominant underlying pigment?
Orange
Brown
Red
Yellow
Natural level 3 hair exhibits a red underlying pigment when lifted, which must be neutralized or filled to achieve desired lighter shades without brassiness .
What is the main purpose of a demi-permanent hair color?
Neutralize dark pigments
Remove previous color
Deposit color without lift
Lighten hair by two levels
Demi-permanent color uses low-volume developer to deposit pigment without changing the hair's natural level, offering a less damaging option for tone changes .
How is melanin degraded during the bleaching process?
Hydrolysis
Oxidation
Reduction
Absorption
Bleaching oxidizes the melanin in hair, breaking down the pigment molecules so that lightener can remove natural color and lift the hair to a lighter level .
When is a filler applied in a color correction service?
Before lightening the hair
Only when using semi-permanent color
After lightening and before toning
During the shampoo process
A filler replaces missing or depleted pigments after bleaching and before toning or depositing new color, ensuring the final shade is even and vibrant .
For optimal gray coverage, the chosen color level should be:
One level lighter than natural
Same level as natural or darker
Two levels lighter than natural
Two levels darker than natural
To achieve 100% gray coverage, choose a permanent shade at the same level as the client's natural hair or one level darker to ensure sufficient pigment saturation .
In color theory, the term "residual pigment" refers to:
Overtone left by toner
Remaining underlying pigment after lifting
Cuticle sealant effect
Topcoat color deposit
Residual pigment is the underlying pigment that remains in the hair cortex after lightening. It dictates which toner or filler is needed for final shade correction .
What is the typical soap cap mixing ratio?
2 parts color to 1 part shampoo
1 part color to 2 parts shampoo
1 part color to 1 part shampoo
1 part color to 3 parts shampoo
A soap cap is often mixed at a 1:1 ratio of existing hair color and shampoo to lightly refresh color and blend regrowth without a full application .
The level system categorizes hair based on what characteristic?
Porosity
Texture
Tone
Depth or darkness of color
The hair level system numbers 1 - 10 correspond to the depth or darkness of hair color, helping stylists choose appropriate formulas for lift and deposit .
Which technique blends highlights at the root for a softer grow-out line?
Color melt
Cap highlighting
Foilayage
Block coloring
Color melt seamlessly blends darker root shades into lighter ends, softening the regrowth line and creating a melted transition between colors .
Which base level is considered most neutral with minimal underlying tone?
Level 6
Level 8
Level 4
Level 10
Level 6 neutral is often chosen as a balanced base with minimal warm or cool undertones, making it versatile for many formula adjustments .
What is the first step in correcting over-processed, brassy hair?
Apply toner immediately
Use a soap cap
Mix a high-lift color
Perform a bond-building treatment
Rebuilding hair bonds with a reconstruction or bond-building treatment restores strength before applying color, reducing further damage during toning or recoloring .
Permanent hair color molecules fully develop in the hair cortex through what process?
Osmodiation
Reduction
Diffusion
Oxidation after mixing
Permanent color precursors react with hydrogen peroxide through oxidation in the hair cortex to form large color molecules that become trapped inside, resulting in long-lasting color .
To create a pastel hair tone, what is the recommended ratio of dye to developer?
2:1 (two parts dye to one part developer)
3:1 (three parts dye to one part developer)
1:1 (equal parts)
1:2 (one part dye to two parts developer)
Pastel tones require diluting the color pigment, often mixing one part dye with two parts developer or conditioner to achieve a soft, pastel effect without over-depositing pigment .
In a level 2 hair correction, which filler color neutralizes the strong red undertone?
Green filler
Violet filler
Orange filler
Yellow filler
Level 2 hair exhibits a very strong red pigment, so a green filler (the complement of red) is used to neutralize and balance the undertone before depositing the final shade .
Which instrument uses light absorption to analyze hair color and predict color formulation?
Chromatograph
Colorimeter
Spectrophotometer
Densitometer
A spectrophotometer measures light wavelengths absorbed and reflected by hair to accurately determine natural levels and undertones, aiding in precise color formulation .
Oil-based bleach compared to regular bleach is generally:
Less damaging and gentler
More acidic
Stronger and faster
For deposit-only services
Oil-based bleaches mix lightener with oil to slow the bleaching action and reduce direct peroxide exposure, making them gentler on the hair while still lifting pigment .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand fundamental color theory hair concepts -

    Define primary, secondary, and tertiary pigments and how they interact when formulating and applying hair dye.

  2. Analyze complementary hues for tone balance -

    Recognize opposite colors on the color wheel to neutralize unwanted brassiness and achieve a harmonious hair color result.

  3. Apply undertone matching techniques -

    Select the best hair color for me quiz recommendation by aligning hair dye shades with different skin undertones for a flattering look.

  4. Identify corrective color strategies -

    Determine when to use warm versus cool pigments in a hair dye quiz scenario to fix uneven tones or revive faded color.

  5. Interpret hair color test results -

    Use insights from the hair color test to refine your future dye choices and plan successful color transformations.

  6. Choose personalized dye options -

    Evaluate and pick suitable shades from our what hair color should I dye my hair quiz to build confidence in your DIY coloring skills.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Primary vs Secondary Pigments -

    In color theory hair, red, yellow, and blue form the primary pigments, which mix to create secondary pigments (green, orange, violet). According to the International Journal of Cosmetic Science, remembering ROY G. BIV (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet) helps you visualize pigment relationships in your hair color test confidently.

  2. Complementary Hues for Neutralization -

    The color wheel is vital in your hair dye quiz: complementary hues sit opposite each other (blue - orange, red - green) and neutralize unwanted tones like brassiness. Industry experts at L'Oréal Professionnel recommend using a blue-based toner at level 8 to cancel orange undertones effectively - perfect practice for your hair dye quiz.

  3. Understanding Tone and Undertone -

    Tones (warm, cool, neutral) and undertones (golden, ash, red) determine the final look; warm hair colors have yellow or copper undertones, while cool tones lean toward ash or violet. A simple trick from Redken Education uses a "warm wig-to-undertone" match chart to ensure your best hair color for me quiz results are spot-on every time.

  4. Deciphering the Level System -

    The hair color level system (1 - 10) indicates darkness to lightness; each level shift roughly equals one shade of lift. As detailed by the Paul Mitchell School, you can estimate lift with this formula: Final level = Natural level + Number of levels lifted, making your what hair color should I dye my hair quiz responses more precise.

  5. Developer Volume's Influence -

    Developer volume (10, 20, 30, 40) controls peroxide concentration and lift strength - 10 volume deposits color, 20 lifts 1 - 2 levels, 30 lifts 2 - 3, and 40 lifts up to 4 levels. The British Journal of Cosmetic Science emphasizes choosing the right volume to safeguard hair integrity and master your hair dye quiz decisions confidently.

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