One of the most important skills a colourist can develop is the ability to select the right shade for each client. With the Prorituals colour range, you have a comprehensive palette at your fingertips — here’s how to make the most of it.
Understanding the Shade Numbering System
Like most professional colour systems, Prorituals uses a numbering system to identify depth and tone:
- The first number indicates depth (1 = black, 10 = lightest blonde).
- The number(s) after the decimal indicate the primary and secondary tone (e.g., .1 = ash, .3 = gold, .5 = mahogany, .6 = red, .7 = brunette/brown).
For example, 7.1 is a medium ash blonde, and 5.6 is a light red-brown.
Selecting Shades by Hair Type
Fine or Damaged Hair
Fine hair lifts and processes faster, so choose a shade one level darker than your target result. Use 20 Vol developer and monitor processing time closely. Avoid heavy warm tones that can look brassy on fine hair.
Coarse or Resistant Hair
Resistant hair — particularly grey or very dark natural hair — needs extra penetration. Use 20–30 Vol developer and consider pre-softening before application. Warm shades tend to work beautifully on coarse hair textures.
Previously Coloured Hair
Always assess the existing colour before selecting a new shade. If the hair has warm underlying pigment from previous lightening, choose a shade with a cool or neutral tone to counteract brassiness. Ash and pearl tones are your best friends here.
Correcting Unwanted Tones
Use the colour wheel to neutralise unwanted tones:
- Brassy/orange tones – neutralise with blue-based ash shades
- Yellow tones – neutralise with violet or pearl shades
- Red tones – neutralise with green-based shades
Popular Prorituals Shades for Common Client Requests
- Natural brunette refresh – 5.0 or 6.0 with 20 Vol
- Warm golden blonde – 8.3 or 9.3 with 30 Vol
- Cool ash blonde – 8.1 or 9.1 with 30 Vol
- Rich red – 6.6 or 7.6 with 20 Vol
- Grey coverage – match to natural depth with 20 Vol, add a warm tone for longevity
Always Do a Strand Test
Before committing to a full application, perform a strand test — especially when working with a new client or a shade you haven’t used before. This gives you a reliable preview of the result and processing time.
Shop the Prorituals Colour Range
Browse the full Prorituals shade range at Bold Beauty and find everything you need to deliver stunning, consistent colour results for your clients.
