Schwarzkopf Professional Hair Colour Guide
Schwarzkopf Hair Colour Explained: Find Your Perfect Igora Royal Shade
Confused by shade numbers? This plain-language guide shows how to read Schwarzkopf Igora Royal shade numbers, pick a depth and tone, and colour more safely — with shades sold at GIN Hair. Always follow the manufacturer's pack instructions.
Educational guide only. Check each product page for pack details, and always do an allergy alert test before colouring.
Browse Schwarzkopf Shades by Family
Five shade families cover the Igora Royal shades at GIN Hair. Pick one to jump to its buying guide.
Read This Before You Colour
Igora Royal Colour Chart: How Shade Numbers Work
A Schwarzkopf shade card looks complicated, but the number in each Igora Royal shade follows a simple pattern. Here is how to read it.
- The first number is the depth, or level. Lower is darker (1 is black) and higher is lighter. A comma, as in 9,5, marks a half level.
- The numbers after the dash show the tone — such as 4 beige, 6 chocolate, 7 copper, 8 red or 9 violet. The product name confirms it.
- Choose a shade close to your natural depth, then check which developer strength the manufacturer's pack recommends — for example 20 or 30 volume developer.
How to colour hair at home
- Do the allergy alert (patch) testDo a patch test 48 hours before every colouring, even for a shade you have used before. Stop if you notice itching, swelling or irritation.
- Choose shade and developerMatch depth and tone, then use the developer strength the manufacturer's pack recommends.
- Prepare the spaceWear gloves, ventilate the room, protect clothing and follow the mixing ratio the pack instructs.
- Apply and time itFollow the manufacturer's timing. Ratios and waiting times can vary by shade and developer.
- Rinse and careRinse well, then use a colour-safe shampoo and conditioner to help the shade last.
Schwarzkopf Buying Guide: Find Your Shade
Educational guideNatural Brown Hair Colour Shades
Want a shade close to your natural colour, or a richer, darker base? Start with natural black hair colour, dark brown or light brown in Igora Royal.
Quick tip: Cendre means ash, so 6-16 is the pick for an ash brown look, while 5-6 gives a chocolate brown.
Know your natural depth first
The first number is the depth: 1 is black, 5 is light brown. Most people with naturally dark hair sit around levels 3–4, but old colour and lighting can mislead, so a stylist can confirm.
schwarzkopf hair colour brownNatural series or tonal shade?
Shades ending in -0 or -00 such as 5-0 and 5-00 are natural-series. Tonal shades like 5-4 (beige) or 5-65 (chocolate gold) add a visible reflect.
natural brown hair colourDarker is easier than lighter
Colouring to the same level or darker is generally more predictable than lifting. To move from black to light brown, expect to need lightening.
hair colour on black hairThink twice about black
A deep shade like 1-0 Black deposits a lot of pigment, and getting out of it later usually needs professional lightening. Be sure before choosing it for a first coloured look.
natural black hair colourCheck the developer strength
The pack states which developer to use, such as 20 or 30 volume. Developers are sold separately, so confirm the strength before you order.
hair color developerMix exactly as the pack says
Hair colour mixing ratios and waiting times can differ by shade and developer. A strand test on hidden hair gives a preview of the result.
how to dye hair at homeBlonde, pearl and nude Igora Royal shades
Lighter shades take more planning: starting level, undertone and hair condition all matter.
- 6-0 Dark Blonde Natural
- 6-00 Dark Blonde Natural Extra
- 6-6 Dark Blonde Chocolate
- 6-65 Dark Blonde Chocolate Gold
- 7-00 Medium Blonde Natural Extra
- 7-4 Medium Blonde Beige
- 7-55 Medium Blonde Gold Extra
- 7-65 Medium Blonde Chocolate Gold
- 8-0 Light Blonde
- 9-1 Extra Light Ash Blonde
- 9-55 Extra Light Blonde Gold Extra
- 9,5-1 Pearl
- 9,5-49 Nude
Colour only lifts so far
On dark hair, a light blonde shade may not look like the pack because permanent colour with developer lifts a limited amount. Plan for pre-lightening with a stylist.
Ash, pearl, beige and gold
Names like 9-1 Ash and 9,5-1 Pearl point to cooler results, while beige and gold shades read warmer. Choose the tone that balances the warmth in your hair.
A comma means a half level
A shade like 9,5-1 uses a comma for a half level between 9 and 10. It is not a pack size, so read the full product name before adding to your basket.
Expect warmth on dark hair
Dark hair with strong red or orange undertones can look warmer after lightening. Many stylists suggest a cooler shade or a corrector to balance it.
Protect hair condition
Previously coloured, bleached or dry hair can react unpredictably. Do a strand test, and ask a stylist if your hair feels brittle or breaks easily.
Higher volume is harsher
Higher developer volumes lift more but are also harsher on hair and scalp. Follow the manufacturer's pack, wear gloves and keep the room ventilated.
Red, copper and violet Igora Royal shades
Vivid tones look best when you know how bright they will appear on your starting colour.
- 3-68 Dark Brown Chocolate Red
- 4-68 Medium Brown Chocolate Red
- 4-88 Medium Brown Red
- 4-99 Medium Brown Violet
- 5-57 Light Brown Gold Copper
- 5-99 Light Brown Violet
- 6-68 Dark Blonde Chocolate Red
- 6-88 Dark Extra Red Blonde
- 6-99 Dark Blonde Violet Extra (Asian Formula)
- 7-57 Medium Blonde Gold Copper (Asian Formula)
- 8-77 Light Blonde Copper Extra
- 9-98 Extra Light Blonde Violet Red
Double digits mean more intensity
Repeated tone numbers, such as 4-88 or 8-77, commonly signal a stronger red or copper reflect. They are usually bolder, so a strand test is worthwhile.
Your base decides the result
Red and copper tones show more on a light base than on very dark hair. The same shade can look subtle on level 3 hair and much bolder on level 6.
Violet for depth
Violet-toned browns such as 4-99 and 5-99 are chosen for cool, plum-like depth. The final look still varies with your starting colour.
Read 'Asian Formula' carefully
Shades 6-99 and 7-57 carry 'Asian Formula' in the product name. Read the product page and pack for what that means.
Reds tend to fade first
Red and copper pigments are commonly said to fade faster than neutral tones. A colour-care shampoo and fewer hot washes may help the shade last.
Protect skin and surfaces
Strong red and violet shades can stain skin, towels and surfaces. Wear gloves, protect clothing and wipe skin edges as the pack directs.
Igora Royal Absolutes shades
A separate shade family within Igora Royal, with several shades listed as Permanent Anti-Age Color Cremes.
- 4-60 Medium Brown Auburn Natural (Anti-Age)
- 5-50 Light Brown Gold Natural
- 5-60 Light Brown Chocolate Natural (Anti-Age)
- 5-60 Light Brown Auburn Natural (Anti-Age)
- 5-80 Light Brown Red Natural
- 6-60 Dark Blonde Chocolate Natural
- 6-70 Dark Auburn Blonde Copper Natural
- 6-80 Dark Blonde Red
- 7-450 Medium Blonde Beige Gold
- 7-50 Medium Blonde Gold
Check the name for 'Anti-Age'
Several Absolutes are listed as Permanent Anti-Age Color Cremes. Read the product page and pack for what each is designed for.
Grey coverage is not guaranteed
Coverage depends on how much grey you have, the shade and how you apply it. A stylist can advise on stubborn areas.
Read the tone digits
Tone digits work as in other Igora Royal shades: 5 gold, 6 chocolate, 7 copper and 8 red, with 450 pointing to beige gold.
Compare with standard Igora Royal
If the exact shade is not in Absolutes, a similar level and tone may sit in the standard range. Compare names and levels side by side.
Allergy alert test, every time
Do the allergy alert test 48 hours before colouring, even for a shade you have used before.
Check ingredients on the pack
Whether a shade is PPD-free or ammonia-free depends on the exact product and can change. Check the ingredient list on the pack and the manufacturer's information.
Fashion, Highlifts and corrector shades
Specialist items for highlights, toning and correcting, best for people with some colouring experience.
What the L-series is for
The L-series Fashion and Fashion Lights shades are listed for highlighting and lighter looks. Read each product page and pack for the right starting level and developer.
Concentrates go into a mix
0-11, 0-89 and 0-99 are concentrate shades added in small amounts to boost or neutralise a tone in a mix. Check the pack for how much to use.
Anti-yellow for brassiness
0-11 is sold as an Anti Yellow Concentrate to counter warm or yellow tones. Use the quantities on the pack, and do a strand test before applying all over.
Pastelfier is a specialist item
Check the product page and the manufacturer's information for exactly what Pastelfier does and how to use it. Pastel results depend on how light your hair is to begin with.
Highlifts need extra care
Highlifts such as 12-2 are used with stronger developer for more lightening. Stronger developer is harsher, so use only as the pack describes.
Know when to see a stylist
Highlights, corrections and big colour changes are easy to get wrong at home. If your hair is bleached, uneven or you want a large change, consult a stylist.
Schwarzkopf hair colour FAQ
Quick answers to common questions about choosing and using Igora Royal.
Schwarzkopf Hair Colour Essentials: What to Know Before You Buy
Schwarzkopf Igora Royal Hair Colour
Igora Royal is the Schwarzkopf permanent hair colour range from Schwarzkopf Professional, and it makes up most of the Schwarzkopf shades at GIN Hair. The range runs from natural browns to blondes, reds, violets, Absolutes and specialist Fashion shades.
How to Choose Schwarzkopf Hair Colour Shades
Start with your natural depth, then pick a tone. A hair colour shade card helps, and the product name lists the level and tone for every shade. If you are between two shades, ask a stylist or do a strand test.
Hair Colour Developer and Mixing Basics
Igora Royal shades are mixed with a hair colour developer, sold separately. The manufacturer's pack states the strength and mixing ratio to use — higher volumes lift more but are harsher, so never guess.
Hair Colour Safety
Do an allergy alert test 48 hours before, wear gloves, ventilate the room and follow the manufacturer's pack instructions. Ingredient questions such as PPD or ammonia depend on the exact product, so read the pack.
Schwarzkopf Professional Hair Colour in India
GIN Hair is a Mumbai-based store that lists Schwarzkopf Professional hair colour online at ginhair.com. Check each product page for the exact shade and pack details, and use this guide for education, not as a substitute for the pack or a stylist.
This guide is educational. Always follow the manufacturer's pack instructions, do an allergy alert test, and speak to a professional stylist if you are unsure.