CHS Color Theory & Application 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What underlying pigment is typically exposed when hair at a natural level 4 (medium brown) is lightened to level 6?
- Yellow
- Pale gold
- Red-orange
- Orange (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Orange
Level 4 hair reveals orange underlying pigment when lifted to approximately level 6 during the lightening process.
Question 2: Which statement best describes the difference between semi-permanent and demi-permanent hair color?
- Semi-permanent uses peroxide; demi-permanent does not
- Demi-permanent uses a low-volume developer; semi-permanent typically does not use peroxide (Correct answer)
- Semi-permanent provides full gray coverage; demi-permanent does not
- Demi-permanent lasts longer than permanent color
Correct answer: Demi-permanent uses a low-volume developer; semi-permanent typically does not use peroxide
Demi-permanent color uses a low-volume (5–10) developer to partially penetrate the cortex, while semi-permanent deposits color without peroxide and fades gradually.
Question 3: A colorist wants to darken a client's hair by two levels using a permanent formula. What should she consider about the natural underlying pigment?
- It will be revealed by the new color
- It does not affect the result when going darker (Correct answer)
- It may show through lighter formulas but is masked when filling
- It must be pre-lightened first
Correct answer: It does not affect the result when going darker
When applying permanent color darker, the underlying pigment is covered and does not significantly affect the final result.
Question 4: Which mixing ratio is standard for most powder lighteners used with 20 volume developer?
- 1:1
- 1:2 (Correct answer)
- 2:1
- 1:3
Correct answer: 1:2
Most powder lighteners are mixed at a 1:2 ratio (one part lightener to two parts developer) for proper consistency.
Question 5: What is 'foiling' designed to accomplish in a highlight service?
- Protect the scalp from bleach heat
- Isolate color-treated sections from untreated hair (Correct answer)
- Speed up the lightening process with radiant heat
- Apply toner evenly throughout the hair
Correct answer: Isolate color-treated sections from untreated hair
Foiling isolates highlighted sections from the rest of the hair, preventing unwanted color bleeding and allowing precise placement.
Question 6: A client's hair has been colored dark brown (level 3) for years. She now wants platinum blonde. What must the stylist explain?
- One single bleach application will achieve the goal safely
- Multiple lightening sessions are likely needed to avoid severe damage (Correct answer)
- A high-lift tint alone will achieve platinum from level 3
- No pre-lightening is required if a 40 volume developer is used
Correct answer: Multiple lightening sessions are likely needed to avoid severe damage
Going from dark permanent color to platinum typically requires multiple controlled lightening sessions to avoid severe breakage and maintain hair integrity.
Question 7: Which term describes a color formula that contains no ammonia and deposits tone without lightening the natural base?
- High-lift color
- Oxidative tint
- Deposit-only color (Correct answer)
- Bleach bath
Correct answer: Deposit-only color
Deposit-only color formulas contain no ammonia and only add tone and depth without lifting the natural hair color.
CHS Color Theory & Application 3
What underlying pigment is typically exposed when hair at a natural level 4 (medium brown) is lightened to level 6?