Shade Guides

The Schwarzkopf colour guides are professional shade charts and reference tools used to help stylists and consumers choose, compare and plan hair colours from Schwarzkopf’s extensive hair‑colour portfolios. These guides visually display available shades in a structured way — typically grouped by depth (lightness/darkness), tone (warm, cool, neutral) and sometimes by colour family (e.g., naturals, reds, chocolates, pastels) — so it’s easier to see how different colours relate and mix together before selecting or formulating a dye.

Part of this collection are printed or fold‑out charts like the Schwarzkopf Professional Igora Vibrance Colour Chart, which shows the full gamut of demi‑permanent IGORA VIBRANCE shades grouped into logical colour worlds; the Schwarzkopf Professional Igora Royal Deluxe Shade Guide, offering a comprehensive view of permanent IGORA ROYAL shades including naturals, cendrés, beiges and fashion ranges; and the Schwarzkopf Igora Zero AMM Shade Guide for their ammonia‑free colour line. There are also guides for blonde‑specialist lines (e.g., Schwarzkopf BlondMe Toning Hair Color Chart and Schwarzkopf BLONDME Toning Shade Guide) to assist with toning and neutralisation.

These colour guides are essential tools in salon consultations, enabling stylists to visualise results, explain options to clients and plan colour formulas with confidence. They help match existing hair levels to desired outcomes and can also highlight undertones or complementary tones that influence the final result.

Start by matching the client’s current hair level and tone using the shade chart, identifying the closest swatch to their natural or existing colour. Then, select the desired target shade from the guide, taking note of depth (lightness/darkness) and tone (warm, cool, neutral) to ensure the final result aligns with expectations. For colour formulation, use the guide to determine which shades can be mixed to achieve intermediate tones or correct undertones. During consultation, hold the guide next to the hair to visually show clients the potential results and discuss options like highlights, lowlights, or toners. Finally, refer to the chart during the colouring process to verify accuracy and consistency, ensuring the selected formula matches the chosen shade.

These guides are primarily for reference and planning, not for direct application to hair.