ABCH 6N Haircolor Comparison

Here's a short video on how the 6N comparison was carried out. Reminder, you can get the 10 11"x17" sheets of the comparison by sending in your $30.00 and $5.00 for postage and handling.

Here are the 6N comparisons compiled by the American Board of Certified Haircolorists. If you would like the 10 11"x17" color copies of these comparisons, send $30.00 and $5.00 for postage and handling to ABCH. This will include a 10-minute DVD showing how this comparison was conducted.

Note: The haircolors are in random order. They are not in order of ranking. There has been no attempt made to grade the formulas; the reader will draw their own conclusion based on the information presented.

* Bottle Color was mixed in applicator bottle then poured in bowl.

The generic peroxide used was Alva peroxide at .10 per ounce. Alva peroxide is available at many Over the counter Beauty supplies. There were small differences between the colors and consistency in two lines when brand peroxides were used.

Mixing ratio was based on the instructions included in the tube or bottle packaging. Those haircolors received without instructions required calling the sender to determine the mixing ratio.

The pH of the raw product and mixed product were taken with a low grade pH meter. The pH meter was cleaned of all haircolor residue and returned to neutral pH after each use.

Color out of the tube had no bearing on the color results. Most colors were opaque with a few having a translucent quality. The translucent tubes of color were also suitable for use in a bottle application.

The mixing time was measured starting after the haircolor and peroxide was placed in a bowl, The entire time it took to make the haircolor a smooth workable consistency without lumps.

The consistency was measured on a scale of 1 to 5. A 3 was average consistency; 4 and 5 could be used with a bottle application. A consistency of 2 was on the heavy side and a 1 was unworkable and much too stiff.

Darkness from light to dark was measured from a 1 which was the darkest to 9 which was the lightest. This is only a light to dark scale based on the 6N color in the line.

The country of origin was the country where the color was manufactured. In all instances where it was not listed and required investigation.

The cost of the color was derived by mixiing the colors with generic cream peroxide at .10 per ounce. When brand peroxides are used, the cost per ounce was calculated based on the quart or liter size. The price per ounce mixed was the determining factor, rather than only the cost of the color. This is because some of the colors were mixed with 1:2 or 1:1.5 mixtures which would lower the per ounce cost subttantially

There were only 7 manufacturers who elected to send in haircolors to be tested. They are: Ion haircolor,(Sally) both liquid and cream, Kadus, Chromastics, Wella Color Charm, Artego and Campagina De Colour. The remaining colors were sent in by individuals who were interested in how their haircolors fared, or they were purchased by the office. Over $250.00 in haircolor was purchased for the comparson.. In fairness to the manufacturers who did not send in their colors, it was not a well-published fact the comparisons were being conducted. Therefore, it could very well be they were unaware of the comparison being conducted rather than not wanting to be part of it.

The price per ounce ranged from $1.99 per ounce, with Goldwell leading the pack. The $1.99 price per ounce was with generic peroxide The price increases to $2.33 with brand peroxide. The lowest price per ounce was .39 per ounce with TuK private label brand. This price requires that you purchase 100 tubes per color. The least expensive purchasing for only one unit was Wella Color Charm tube color at $.45. Wella color charm liquid and Artego both at $.57. Artego was the least expensive professional brand. The average price per mixed ounce of all the colors is $1.24.