To mix gel hair color, you typically combine equal parts of the color (Bottle 1) and developer (Bottle 2) in a non-metallic bowl, ensuring a consistent 1:1 ratio for a smooth, lump-free gel, then apply to hair following product instructions. Always read your specific kit's directions first, wear gloves, and use a brush or applicator bottle for precise mixing and application.
60ml MIXING AND PROCESSING Mix Color Gels Oils in a 1:1 ratio with 10, 20, 30 or 40 volume Pro-oxide Cream Developer. Color Gels Oils Clear is a non-pigmented shade that can be used to lift natural hair. It can be mixed with other Color Gels Oils shades to dilute their tonal deposit and customize your results.
Developer to Color Ratio: Getting the Mix Right
The standard mixing ratio is usually 1:1 or 1:2 depending on the product instructions: 1:1 Ratio: This means you mix equal parts of hair color cream and developer. It is typically used for depositing color without lightening the hair.
20 volume is the highest level of developer that should be used on the scalp with bleach as the scalp produces more heat and increases the power of the developer. 30vol developer is ideal for lifting 3 levels using permanent hair color depending on the texture and natural depth of the hair.
Adding too much developer to your hair dye mixture can dilute the color, leaving you with lighter, less vibrant results. The excess developer prevents the hair dye from depositing enough pigment onto your strands, causing the color to fade quickly.
What is semi-permanent color? A semi-permanent color contains no ammonia and deposits only. It does not require mixing with a developer and lasts anywhere from 4 – 12 shampoos. This type of color is used to blend gray or enhance natural color and it's safe for immediate use after a relaxer or perm service.
Higher volumes of developer are used for darker and thicker hair types, while lower volumes are recommended for lighter or more delicate hair. Using a higher volume than recommended for thin or fine hair can lead to severe damage, dryness, and breakage.
Follow these detailed steps for professional-quality results without stepping foot in a salon.
In hair color, a "1 part to 2 parts" (or 1:2) ratio means you mix one measure of hair color cream with double that amount of developer, ensuring the developer is always the larger quantity, which is common for lightening or high-lift colors to achieve more lift and vibrancy. So, if you use 1 ounce of color, you'd use 2 ounces of developer; if you use 1 tablespoon, you'd use 2 tablespoons.
What is the 123 Gel Method? This hair care method is as easy as 1, 2, 3! The 1-2-3 Gel Method effectively retains moisture in the hair by applying three different hair gels one after the other over a leave-in or moisturizing curl cream.
Start with a Small Amount: Begin by adding a small amount of coloring to your batter or icing. You can always add more later if you want a deeper color. 2. Mix Thoroughly: Use a spatula or mixer to mix the gel into your batter or icing until the color is evenly distributed.
Unlike powder-based or liquid dyes, gel-based hair colour offers: Mess-free application: No dripping or uneven coating. Even colour distribution: Smooth texture for full coverage. Better pigment adherence: Longer-lasting vibrancy.
After 30 minutes, apply the remaining gel to the lengths and ends of your hair and leave it on for another 10 minutes. Thoroughly wash your hair, keeping your head tilted back to avoid product contact with your eyes. Apply your usual shampoo or Color Safe shampoo and rinse until the water runs completely clear.
Color Gels Lacquers is mixed in a 1:1 ratio using Redken Pro-Oxide Cream Developers (10 - 40 vol.). 40 Volume – 45 minutes. Redken's Color Gels Lacquers features a gel-like consistency and spreadability which make it the perfect choice for techniques such as color melting!
WHICH DEVELOPER SHOULD I USE? Color Gels Lacquers 10 Minute is compatible with Pro-oxide Cream Developer! For best results, use 20 volume.
Don't Wash Your Hair Right Before
Washing your hair right before you dye it can strip your hair of its natural oils, making it more vulnerable to damage. It's better to dye your hair when it's slightly dirty, as this can help protect your hair and scalp from the chemicals in the dye.
Here are the rules for developer choice when going lighter using regular professional color: Use 10 Vol for tone down coloring and level-on-level coloring. Use 20 Vol if you are aiming for a 1-2 level lift (and if you have grey hair that needs covering). Use 30 Vol if you are aiming for a 2-3 level lift.
The hardest hair colors to remove are typically black and vivid reds, due to their dense pigment load and strong staining power, often requiring multiple bleaching sessions; while vivid blues and purples are also very difficult, especially cool-toned ones, because their small dye molecules deeply bond to porous hair, making them stubborn to lift.
But we don't recommend that you apply just developer to the hair. You will get an uncontrolled lift, without any re-coloration and you will end up damaging the hair. Always use developer combined with bleach or color or toner. Never by itself.
The standard developer for gray coverage is 20 Volume; however, 30 Volume and 40 Volume can also be used if the percentage of gray is low and additional lift is needed to achieve the desired result.
Either would work. A 30 developer just processes faster. At the salon I was able to bleach my cousins deep dark hair blonde using a 20 developer, it just takes longer you just have to make sure it doesn't dry out and it should be fine. 20 developer works slower so it's easier to get an evenly bleached.
What Is the Best Natural Hair Dye?
I prefer liquid hydrogen peroxide to cream developer. (It's cleaner and works better.) Concentrations are the same regardless.
A soft medium brown, warm blonde, or even golden caramel tone often blends grays more seamlessly and ages more gracefully.” Maccaro adds a tip for home-color rookies. “If you're new to color, choose a shade that's one level lighter than your natural color or your desired tone,” she instructs.