How do you mix developer and color for gray hair?

Author: Deja Nikolaus Sr.  |  Last update: Tuesday, December 30, 2025

It varies with the brand but the recommended mixing ratio of dye to Developer is 1-to-1, 1-to1. 5, or 1-to-2 if you need extra lightening. I've been using Volume 20 1-to-1 for the Zotos Professional hair color because I can achieve the exact hair color match to my hair.

How to mix hair color and developer for grey hair?

I mixed 1 part color to 2 parts 30 vol developer, you can also use 20 vol if you feel more comfortable. I started at my part and then worked in small sections until I saturated my roots with color. I left my color in for 30 min, if you use 20 vol you can leave the color in for 45 min for max gray coverage.

What percentage developer for grey hair?

20 Volume Developer: This is the most common choice for covering grey hair. It provides a little lift and is effective for achieving a more intense color. It's suitable for most grey coverage situations. 30 Volume Developer: This is used for more significant lift (usually one to two levels).

How to mix hair color and developer?

1:2 Hair dye to developer ratio

A 1:2 ratio means for every part dye, you add two parts developer. However, keep in mind that the more developer you add, the less pigment you get.

What is the ratio of developer to color for gray hair?

The typical ratio is 1 part hair color to 1.5 or 2 parts developer for effective gray coverage.

Beware of Semi-permanent Colors On Gray Hair || SparklingSilvers

How much color do you mix with developer?

The general rule is to use one part of hair dye and two parts of developer (or 1:2) while mixing hair color. That means, if you have 2 oz of hair color, you should use 4 oz of a developer.

How to measure hair color and developer without a scale?

For those without a scale, plastic measuring cups can measure the required amounts of hair color and developer. Ensure you scrape out every bit from the cups to avoid inaccuracies in your mixture.

What does it mean mix 1 part with 2 parts?

1 part to 2 parts means that for every 1 part of an ingredient added, 2 parts of another are added. Making oatmeal is typically a 1 part to 2 parts recipe. 1 part oatmeal, 2 parts milk, stir, and microwave. That means for every 1 measure of oatmeal, 2 identical measures of milk are added.

What's the difference between 10 and 20 developer for hair color?

Select a 10-volume developer to lift your hair by 1 shade. Volume 10 developer is the gentlest option and is best for minor hair color changes like brown to black. Choose a 20-volume developer to lift hair by 2 shades and help cover greys. Go for a 30-volume developer to lift your hair 3-4 shades.

What developer is best for stubborn grey hair?

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.

What is the 50 50 50 rule for gray hair?

The mean age of senile graying for Caucasians (whites) is mid-30s; for Asians of the late 30's; and for Africans of mid-40s. There is a practical declaration which states that at the age of 50, 50% of the population has 50% gray hair (rule of thumb) [4] . The gray of age varies according to race and ethnicity. ...

Why won't my gray hair hold color?

Pigment loss occurs naturally in hair as we age. Along with the changes in pigmentation, grey hairs can also undergo structural changes Grey hair is often also coarser. The outer cuticle layer of greys can be more tightly packed and layered, making them resistant to colour absorption.

Should I use 10 or 20 volume developer for gray hair?

Always Use a 20 Volume Developer

Gray hair tends to be resistant and typically takes longer to grab hold of the hair. Since there is no pigment, there is no need to lift. You just need to open the cuticle enough to deposit the color.

What is the best way to color gray hair?

If you have a lot of grey or are going for full coverage, a permanent dye is likely your best bet – it's long-lasting and offers a more pure color. If you're not fully grey, try a temporary or demi-permanent color. It'll create a more natural blend and avoid as harsh a line between the grey and the dyed hair.

How to mix hair color and developer from Sally's?

Using a non-metallic bowl, mix 2 oz. of ion Color Brilliance with 2 oz. of ion Sensitive Scalp Creme Developer. Mixing ratio 1:1. Mixing ratio for High Lift shades is 1:2. Use a tint brush to apply the mixture to dry unwashed hair.

How do you measure 1 to 2 parts?

Whenever you're faced with a recipe that uses parts, begin by determining your basic measurement—your "1 part"—then divide or multiply the other ingredients to maintain the ratio. For example, 1 part can be one full jigger: pour two jiggers for 2 parts, and one-half jigger for 1/2 part.

What does "2 parts developer" mean?

1:1 means equal parts of each 1 ounce to one ounce say. If it's 1:2 u put 1 part dye to 2 parts developer so 2x the amount of developer what ever amount u use.

How to calculate mixing ratio?

How to calculate mixing ratio?
  1. Sum all the components quantity: a+b+c = total.
  2. Divide the amount of each of them by the total: a/total, b/total, and c/total. Let's say you got 0.33, 0.25, and 0.42.
  3. Multiply each result by 100 and express it as follows: 33/100, 25/100, and 42/100. Those are your mixing ratio.

What happens if you put too much developer in hair dye?

What happens if you put too much developer in hair dye? Too much developer added to a hair color formula will dilute the artificial dye molecules, and add too much oxygen to the formula. This will typically display a sheer end result that does not have the depth you may have anticipated.

What would happen if I put 20 volume developer on my hair?

20 volume hair developer

It won't lighten your hair much, but it will help the hair dye to better penetrate the hair shaft and result in longer-lasting, more vibrant color. 20 volume developer is also a good option if you're looking to cover up some gray hair.

Should I use 10 or 20 developer to darken hair?

10 Volume Developers

These developers are also called no lift developers because they only provide moderate lift to your cuticles, i.e., lift by 1 level. This developer is perfect for when you are going to color your hair a darker color than the natural shade.

What developer is best for gray hair?

Use 20 Vol developer for most grey hair coverage situations.

How much is 2 oz of developer in cups?

To convert 2 ounces to cups, you can simply use 1/4 cup as a substitute. To get the number of cups from fluid ounces, you divide the number of ounces by 8. So 2 ounces divided by 8 equals 1/4 cup.

How to make permanent hair dye at home for grey hair?

Process:
  1. Allow the henna hair dye powder to soak in a cup of water for 8 hours or overnight.
  2. Boil the black tea leaves with water in the morning and steep for a few minutes. ...
  3. Pour the cooled tea into the henna paste that has been left to soak.

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