Tuesday Tip: Diluting Neutral shades with XL-Cream

The first swatch you see in the photo is virgin salt and pepper light brown hair.

The center swatch has been colored with 4N (Light Neutral Brown) and 20-volume developer.

The third swatch has been colored with equal parts of 4N (Light Neutral Brown) and 20-volume developer. Both swatches were timed for 35 minutes.

Diluting Neutral shades with XL-Cream

Adding XL-Cream to any formula allows you to create lighter and more translucent final results.

  • 3 parts color and 1 part XL-Cream creates a shade approximately 1 level lighter.
  • Equal parts of XL-Cream and color creates a shades approximately 2 levels lighter.

Use the 3 to 1 ratio when your client’s color is just a little too dark and you want to transition to a lighter shade. Add a few highlights to the top to blend the new color with the old.

Let me know if you have questions I can answer by demonstrating on swatches.

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