Can You Mix Different Brands Of Hair Color And Developer

Q: Can You Mix Different Brands Of Hair Color And Developer?

A: Yes. As long as the developer is intended for the type of hair color you are using (demi-permanent & semi-permanent versus permanent color) you can interchange brands if you need to do so.

Just remember that if one color is a warm color and the other is an ashy(cool) color, you’ll get a horrible muddy color. So if you’re mixing different brands, just check the undertones first. You don’t want to end up a hot muddy mess.

But unless you have a lot of experience working with hair dyes, I don’t recommend mixing brands. I’ll explain why in this article. 

However, you should keep in mind that any guarantees offered by the makers of the color formula you are using are likely to be invalidated unless you use the manufacturer’s developer as well.

The reason for the exclusivity between semi-/demi-permanent color and permanent color is that the non-permanent colors use a milder developer formula strictly to provide deposit of color only.

When a non-permanent color is used with a developer that is too strong, one of the negative outcomes is that the color mix can lighten the starting color and the color that is deposited doesn’t give the expected result. The resulting color can fade, quickly revealing that lightening and leave the hair looking unpleasant.

The ingredients need to be combined correctly, which requires experience and skill.

Well, mixing hair dye does too. While dying your hair doesn’t require complex equipment, it does require experience and practice to create a good result.

If you’re not an experienced hairstylist, mixing different brands of hair dye is like playing with fire. Or playing with the fate of your hair.

Why You Shouldn’t Mix Different Brands Of Hair Color And Developer?

Developers come in different volumes, from ten to forty. And different developers have different effects on your hair, so each brand of hair dye includes the correct type of developer for each color.

To achieve the best result, it’s very important to use the same brand of dye and developer. Mixing different brands of dye and developer isn’t recommended, because it may create a thinner mixture or incorrect dilution, and therefore unpredictable results. 

That’s why it’s very important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when mixing dye and developer, and use the recommended ratios.

Not only that, but the developer contains stabilizers, surfactants, thickening agents, water and solvents, and the exact ratios of all these ingredients may differ from brand to brand.

Remember what happened when I mixed brands of dye and developer? I ended up with patches with a different color.

This happened because I was using a semi-permanent dye, which normally comes with a gentler developer. Because I used a stronger developer than what was recommended, the color came out uneven.

So I learned from experience how important it is to use the same brand of dye and developer. If you mixed brands, you run the risk of some unpleasant surprises.

Can You Mix Two Different Developers?

No, it does not work like that. Whatever strength you use, the mix should always stay the same. People sometimes think they can put in more developer to achieve greater lift.

More Important Information About Using A Developer

Now that we know it’s always best to use the same brand of hair color and developer, let’s learn a few more secrets about this essential hair product. Have you ever hear of the terms 10 volume and 20 volume, or 6% and 9%?

What Developer Should You Use to Mix With The Dye?

• 10 volume developer is ideal when you don’t want to lighten your natural hair color when you dye it. For example, this developer is used with toners, because it helps the dye deposit color without opening the hair cuticle.
• 20 volume developer is commonly used with semi-permanent and permanent dyes.
• Box dye -the stuff you buy at a supermarket or cosmetics store- comes with 20 volume developer. This type of developer can have a lightening effect on hair, and make it one or two shades lighter or darker.
• 30 volume developer is used to lift color, and when it’s mixed with bleaching powder, can lighten hair up to seven shades.
• Volume 40 developer is used to lighten or bleach very dark hair.

It can lighten dark brown hair to a very light blond, but is also harsher on hair.

Personally, I don’t recommend 40 volume hair developer, as it can cause adverse effects and damage your hair.

Color Line Vs Different Developer Same Rose Gold Results or Not?

Hello Loves,

This is another Hair Color Tutorial to show if using a different brand developer other than that of the brand of the color used will make a difference.

I used Guy Tang My Identity Rose gold color in (9RG) and the Guy tang 6v demi permanent developer to do this demo.

Conclusion

Now you know two important points about developer:

For the best results, it’s always better to use the same brand of dye and developer.
When choosing a developer, it’s important to assess the needs of your hair and your goals.

Now it’s your turn to share: have you ever mixed brands of dye and developer? How did it turn out?