Q&A for How to Choose Developer for Hair Color

Return to Full Article

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How much developer do I mix with hair dye?
    Laura Martin
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    This depends on the type of color and the brand. For most permanent colors, you mix color and developer in a ratio of 1:1.
  • Question
    What is the best developer to use with bleach?
    Laura Martin
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    You should use the same brand as the bleach for the best consistency. It's also a good idea to use a low-volume developer, such as 10 or 20, for the least brassy shade and to minimize damage.
  • Question
    What volume developer should I use to lighten my hair?
    Laura Martin
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    If you are mixing it with permanent color, you'll need to use 30 (for 1 level of lift) or 40 (for 2-3 levels of lift). If you are mixing it with bleach, any volume will lighten your hair.
  • Question
    How long do you leave 20-volume developer on?
    Laura Martin
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    If you have mixed it with permanent color, the processing time is usually 30 minutes. If you are lightening the hair or covering gray, it may take 45 minutes or more.
  • Question
    Can you go from black to platinum blonde in one day?
    Karen Leight
    Karen Leight
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Karen Leight is a Professional Hair Stylist and the Owner of Karen Renee Hair, a private salon suite inside the Salon Republic Hollywood in Los Angeles, California. With over 12 years of experience, Karen is a licensed cosmetologist specializing in hair color, balayage technique, and women’s and men’s precision haircuts.
    Karen Leight
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    Not really. The process should be slow and you have to understand that some people simply can't achieve a platinum blonde. Talk to a professional and ask they to guide you through the process and through what is achievable for your specific hair.
  • Question
    Can you get your hair bleached in one day?
    Karen Leight
    Karen Leight
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Karen Leight is a Professional Hair Stylist and the Owner of Karen Renee Hair, a private salon suite inside the Salon Republic Hollywood in Los Angeles, California. With over 12 years of experience, Karen is a licensed cosmetologist specializing in hair color, balayage technique, and women’s and men’s precision haircuts.
    Karen Leight
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    Technically, you can, but I don't recommend it. If you have dark hair and want to keep it healthy, you should bleach it with a professional gradually, over the course of a few days or weeks.
  • Question
    How do I choose the right hair color developer?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Before you choose your developer, think about what color you are and what color you want to be. For instance, a volume 10 developer has minimal lift and is perfect for depositing a color close to your own. Volume 20 is good for covering gray hairs. Volume 30 can change you from a sandy blonde to a bright blonde, but not from dark brunette to platinum blonde. Each increment of 10 will change the level of your hair one level.
  • Question
    If I use a 30 developer and bright red henna, how will it turn out?
    MrCrowe
    MrCrowe
    Community Answer
    Henna is an herbal hair dye, and it cannot always be determined what the end result of dyeing your hair will be. Please, keep in mind that trying to highlight henna with chemicals may leave your hair greenish or may not even work at all. Pure henna should be put on bare hair - no oils, conditioner, no mixing with developer, etc. It would be better if you tried bleaching your hair first and dyeing your hair a certain color two weeks after the first process. It would minimize the risk of ending up with slightly green hair, and for sure the color's gonna be more vivid.
  • Question
    Can I leave my hair color on too long?
    Batty_babi_
    Batty_babi_
    Community Answer
    It depends on the type of hair dye. Manic Panic, Arctic Fox, and Ion, along with other demi/semi-permanent dyes can stay on quite awhile. However, leaving it on for extended periods typically has little to no effect. If the dye has bleach, do not leave it on for longer than recommended or it can damage your hair and scalp.
  • Question
    My hair is black, and I want to dye some sections hot pink. Will it work with a 20 volume developer mixed with hair dye?
    GeGeGeLL
    GeGeGeLL
    Community Answer
    If your hair is darker, you might want to use 30 or 40 volume developer. The hot pink will not take very well to your hair if it hasn't been bleached much lighter beforehand. Be cautious, the stronger the developer, the more likely it is that your hair will have some damage.
  • Question
    How do I tone my hair with color after bleaching highlights?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Once you know which type and color toner to use, toning your hair is straightforward. Mix your toner with a developer in a 1:2 ratio and use an applicator brush to apply the mixture to your hair, focusing on areas with unwanted undertones.
  • Question
    I have Joico Scarlet Red hair dye for a root touch-up; should I use a 10 volume developer mixed in equal parts?
    Angellah Wanjiku
    Angellah Wanjiku
    Community Answer
    You should use a 20 volume (6%) developer mixed in an equal 1:1 ratio. This volume is designed to provide 1-2 levels of lift, which is necessary for vibrant red shades and to ensure proper gray coverage. Process the color for 35-45 minutes at room temperature.
  • Question
    What volume of developer should I use for my baby fine hair if I want to keep my medium ash brown color and add volume?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Use a 20-volume developer to lift your hair by 2 shades and help cover greys. A 30-volume developer can lift hair 3-4 shades, but only use it on thick or coarse hair as it may be too harsh for fine hair. Avoid a 40-volume developer to prevent damage.
  • Question
    Can I use developer to lighten my previously dyed hair?
    joss
    joss
    Community Answer
    It's best to avoid going fully blonde on your own, as it can damage your hair. Consider gradually lightening it to brown, especially if it's black. Visiting a salon is advisable.
  • Question
    How long should I leave 30 volume developer on naturally white/silver hair before applying Ion Radiant Orchid semi-permanent cream hair color? Do I wash out the developer before applying the Ion color?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You can leave the bleach on for 15-40 minutes. Check your hair every 5-10 minutes to see when your desired level of lightness is achieved and avoid over-processing.
  • Question
    I have black, thin hair and want to add purple streaks. What do I need to do?
    Bon!!!
    Bon!!!
    Community Answer
    If you really want the purple to stand out, first bleach the areas where you want the streaks and then add purple hair dye. Bleaching hair to be lighter can make colors more prominent.
  • Question
    How can I get my dark brown hair back to blonde without bleaching it?
    Leslie Pizana
    Leslie Pizana
    Community Answer
    You can't achieve blonde hair from dark brown without using bleach. To lighten your hair to a lighter brown, you can use products like Sun-In or spend more time in the sun. For blonde, a strong lightening product like bleach is necessary.
  • Question
    How should I use Igora Royal 20 volume developer when mixing it with hair dye?
    Angellah Wanjiku
    Angellah Wanjiku
    Community Answer
    Igora Royal developer is manufactured by Schwarzkopf Professional. For most Igora Royal permanent shades and white hair coverage, the standard mixing ratio is 1:1. You should apply the mixture to dry, unwashed hair using a non-metallic bowl and tint brush. The typical development time is 30-45 minutes, and for resistant grey hair, it is recommended to leave it on for the full 45 minutes. After processing, emulsify with warm water, rinse until clear, and follow with a color-safe shampoo and conditioner.
  • Question
    I have black hair with gray ends, and I am African American. What permanent black hair dye should I use for gray coverage?
    Angellah Wanjiku
    Angellah Wanjiku
    Community Answer
    You should look for a permanent dye specifically formulated for gray coverage. For example, consider products like Parma Black 2.5NNA - Soft True Black by Madison Reed.
  • Question
    What developer should I use to go from highlighted hair to a copper color?
    Barronvonrussell
    Barronvonrussell
    Community Answer
    If your desired copper shade is darker than your existing highlights, use a low-volume developer such as 5, 6, 8.5, 10, or 15 volume.
  • Question
    How can I lighten my brassy hair color to cover up the brassiness?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Use a purple or blue shampoo. These shampoos neutralize unwanted brassy tones, revealing a cooler blonde or light brown shade. Examine your current hair color and use a color wheel to find the opposite shade.
  • Question
    I have golden blonde hair with red tones and want to go beach blonde. Is very light ash blonde a good choice?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Very light ash blonde will likely make your hair appear brighter orange. To achieve a beach blonde look, you should consider using bleach.
  • Question
    I have dark brown thin hair. What number developer should I use?
    Barronvonrussell
    Barronvonrussell
    Community Answer
    The developer you use depends on your desired outcome. Are you looking to go lighter or darker, and is your hair already color-treated or virgin?
  • Question
    What professional hair color do you recommend: Redken, Matrix, or Paul Mitchell?
    Barronvonrussell
    Barronvonrussell
    Community Answer
    All salon-exclusive professional brands are great. Redken, Matrix, and Paul Mitchell are excellent choices. The difference will depend on how the color reacts with your hair and lifestyle.
  • Question
    What volume of developer should I use to maintain my current hair color?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    To maintain the same color level, use a 7 Vol. to 10 Vol. developer. For slightly lighter shades (1 to 2 levels), use 15 Vol. to 20 Vol. For 3 to 4 levels lighter, use 25 Vol. to 30 Vol.
  • Question
    What volume developer should I use to cover my gray hair?
    Barronvonrussell
    Barronvonrussell
    Community Answer
    The industry standard for gray coverage is a 20-volume developer. However, the color itself needs to contain ammonia or MEA to effectively cover gray hair.
  • Question
    Is the developer supposed to be included with store-bought hair color?
    Barronvonrussell
    Barronvonrussell
    Community Answer
    Check the manufacturer's information regarding the packaging contents. Not all hair color products require a developer.
  • Question
    What volume of peroxide should I use for retouching roots on silvery mixed dark hair for a red color? I used 30 volume 1:2 with red. Should I use 30 or 20 on roots first or last?
    Barronvonrussell
    Barronvonrussell
    Community Answer
    Without seeing your hair, it's tricky to suggest, but generally, when aiming for red on silvery-gray hair mixtures, use 20 volume peroxide with your desired red color and a little brown color (only on the silvery hair) to prevent it from turning pink as it fades.
  • Question
    How can I fix my orange highlights and make them blonde again?
    Barronvonrussell
    Barronvonrussell
    Community Answer
    Consult a hair color specialist for a corrective color procedure. If your hair feels damaged, it's best to start with a deep conditioning treatment. A professional may use low-volume lightener for highlights and apply a color close to your natural shade to neutralize the orange tones.
  • Question
    How can I dilute 12% developer?
    Angellah Wanjiku
    Angellah Wanjiku
    Community Answer
    You should dilute developer with water, avoiding conditioner which can affect performance. Always measure accurately, ideally using a kitchen scale or measuring cups, and follow the manufacturer's specific mixing ratio. Mix thoroughly until the consistency is creamy and consistent, then use the mixture immediately, as its effectiveness is short-lived.
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit

Return to Full Article