To find out this you firstly need to identify your NATURAL LEVEL. Your natural hair colour determines the level of lightness you can lift your hair to. To be sure of your natural level simply compare your untreated hair with the Natural Shades shown in the DCM Colour Chart or pictured on this website.

The following numbers refer to the complete range of Natural Levels:

1/0        Black

2/0        Very Dark Brown

3/0        Dark Brown

4/0        Medium Brown

5/0        Light Brown

6/0        Dark Blonde

7/0        Medium Blonde

8/0        Light Blonde

9/0        Very Light Blonde

10/0      Lightened Natural Blonde

11/0      Extra Lightened Blonde

So, first be sure of your natural level and you’re well on your way to choosing your desired colour.

The next part of the hair colour numbering system to be familiar with is the number references for HAIR COLOUR TONES, which are grouped in sections on the DCM Colour Chart or on this website  as follows:

/0          Natural (as above)

/2          Ash Tones

/3          Gold Tones

/4          Mahogany Tones

/5          Red/Orange Tones

/6          Copper Tones

/7          Beige Tones

/8          Violet/Pearl Tones

So, for example, if you are looking to create a Medium Golden Blonde you choose DCM 7/3, because Natural Tone Level 7 is Medium Blonde and the Colour Tone /3 is Gold.

Once you have decided on your choice of hair colour, the Natural Tone  (the number on the left of the /) will show you whether your existing hair needs to be lightened or darkened. For example, if your Natural Tone is 5/0 and your colour choice is 7/3, this means you will be lifting your Natural Tone two levels from Level 5 to Level 7.  This is achieved by choosing the correct strength of DCM Developer (all hair colour needs to be mixed with a Developer to work).

Every DCM Colour gives 100% grey coverage, so there’s never a necessity to add a Natural Tone to any other colour if you don’t want to.

All DCM Colours are intermixable, so you can easily create your own personal choices.

There are 4 strengths of DCM Developer known as 10 Volume, 20 Volume, 30 Volume and 40 Volume. These contain 3%, 6%, 9% and 12% of hydrogen peroxide respectively, which is the active ingredient.  Choose your DCM Developer based on the following requirements:

10 Volume         For same tone-on-tone colour or to simply deposit colour

20 Volume         To lighten one level and for grey coverage

30 Volume         To lighten two to three levels

40 Volume         To lighten up to five levels with high-lift colours

It is essential that prior to colouring you perform a skin test either on yourself or another person’s hair you will be treating. The test should be conducted as follows:

 

Mix 5ml of DCM Colour with 5ml of DCM Developer. Apply the mixture to a one square centimetre area on the inner fold of the elbow. Leave the mixture to dry without covering it for 45 minutes, then cover with a sticking plaster and do not wash for 48 hours. Once 48 hours have passed without swelling, itching or irritation, it’s possible to proceed with colour application to the hair.

Always wear suitable latex gloves when mixing and applying colour and developer.

Always ensure the hair is dry before applying colour.

The process of “neutralising” eliminates unwanted gold, red or ash tones. Take a few minutes to study and understand the Colour Star (click on link below).

View Colour Star

Colours opposite each other on the Colour Star are called complimentary colours. Every colour has a complimentary colour and adding one to the other produces a neutral result.

You would use 75% of your chosen Natural Shade and add 25% of the /2 Ash Tone of the same level. An example would be 37.5ml of DCM 5/0 mixed with 12.5ml of DCM 5/2 plus 50ml of DCM Developer.

Always try to measure accurately to ensure great results every time.

All DCM Colours with the exception of the high-lifts are mix ed in a ratio of 1:1 with DCM Developer.

For example you would mix 25ml of DCM Colour with 25ml of DCM Developer.

DCM High-Lift Colours are mixed in a ratio of 1:2 with DCM Developer.

For example you would mix 25ml of DCM Colour with 50ml of DCM Developer.

First pour the measured-out developer into a mixing bowl, then add the measured-out colour. It’s very important to thoroughly mix both together to create a completely smooth mixture ready to apply to the hair.

Colour processing times vary depending on whether the hair has been colour-treated before or not. Just follow this simple method:

Application on virgin (never before coloured) hair

Mix DCM colour 1:1 with your chosen developer strength. First apply to the lengths and ends of the hair and process for 15 minutes. Then apply to the roots, lengths and ends and process for 30 minutes.

Re-Touch application

Mix DCM colour 1:1 with your chosen developer strength. First apply to the re-growth area and process for 30 minutes. Then dampen the hair with luke-warm water and emulsify the colour throughout to create a more uniform result and leave for a further five minutes.

High-Lift tone application

Mix DCM colour 1:2 with 40 Volume developer. First apply to the lengths and ends of the hair and process for 20 minutes. Then apply to the roots, lengths and ends and process for 45 minutes.

High-Lift re-growth application

Mix DCM colour 1:2 with your chosen developer strength. First apply to the re-growth area and process for 45-55 minutes. Then dampen the hair with luke-warm water and emulsify the colour throughout to create a more uniform result and leave for a further five minutes.

Once the processing time has completed, emulsify the hair with luke-warm water, massage through for a couple of minutes and then rinse off the processed colour.

It is highly recommended that you carefully wash the hair with DCM After Colour Shampoo.

Then apply DCM Coloured Hair Mask which has an acid pH balance and restores a natural chemical balance to the hair and scalp.