This shade suits colorists and color-comfortable clients working with pastel or fashion lavender tones on pre-lightened or naturally light blonde hair, and who don't mind a bold, purple-leaning result that stains skin and towels if handled carelessly. Because it fades on tone instead of turning brassy or muddy, it also works well for refreshing an existing pastel-purple color between more involved lightening appointments. It's a poor match for anyone hoping to add subtle color to dark or unlightened hair, since a deep base won't let the lavender pigment show through.

Color Intensity earns its place in a professional fashion-color line by skipping the mixing bowl: there's no developer or activator to measure out, so a colorist can go straight from tube to hair, or thin the pigment with Clear Mixer to hit a lighter lavender, without altering the underlying chemistry. That direct-dye approach also means the color fades the way it went on - gradually losing saturation over about 20 washes rather than oxidizing into a muddy or uneven shade partway through, which matters for a fashion color that clients often want topped up rather than fully redone.

Apply to clean, dry, pre-lightened hair, starting about a quarter-inch from the scalp and working through mid-lengths and ends. Full-strength color straight from the tube gives the deepest lavender, while blending with Clear Mixer in roughly 2:1, 1:1, or 1:2 ratios produces softer, more subtle tones. Let the color process for about 20 minutes without added heat, then rinse thoroughly with cool water until it runs clear, rinsing separately if more than one fashion shade was used in the same service. Wear gloves throughout, since the concentrated pigment stains skin and nails easily. Following with a sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo and conditioner helps extend vibrancy between salon visits.

Pros:

• Skips developer entirely, so processing is simpler than a permanent or demi-permanent fashion color
• Intermixable with same-line shades and Clear Mixer for custom depth and tone
• Fades gradually rather than breaking down into a brassy or patchy in-between color

Cons:

• Requires pre-lightened or naturally very light hair to show true lavender; on darker hair the effect is minimal
• Stains skin, nails, and fabric readily, making gloves and hairline protection necessary
• Base formula (mineral oil, ethoxylated alcohols) is a conventional cosmetic mix, not a naturally-derived one