Convert Redken Color Gels Lacquers to Matrix SoColor Pre-Bonded

Q: How many Color Gels Lacquers shades have an exact equivalent in SoColor Pre-Bonded?

Of the 69 Color Gels Lacquers shades, 45 have an exact equivalent in SoColor Pre-Bonded, 13 close and 11 approximate. The level (1-10) is universal; what varies is the reflect.

Find the equivalent for each Redken Color Gels Lacquers shade in Matrix SoColor Pre-Bonded. Complete chart with levels, reflects, and match confidence.

Remember that equivalences are approximate. Each brand has proprietary pigments and bases that produce slightly different results. We always recommend doing a strand test when switching brands.

Color Gels Lacquers	Name	SoColor Pre-Bonded	Name	Match
Level 1
1NW	Midnight	1N	Black Neutral	Exact
Level 2
2ABn	Cool Ebony	2N	Natural Black	Approximate
2NW	Chocolate	2N	Natural Black	Exact
Level 3
3NN	Black Coffee	3N	Darkest Brown Neutral	Exact
3N	Espresso	3N	Darkest Brown Neutral	Exact
3NW	Cocoa Bean	3N	Darkest Brown Neutral	Exact
3RB	Mahogany	3RR	Darkest Brown Red Red	Close
Level 4
4GN	Forest	4A	Dark Brown Ash	Approximate
4ABn	Dark Roast	4A	Dark Brown Ash	Exact
4NA	Storm Cloud	4A	Dark Brown Ash	Exact
4NN	Coffee Grounds	4N	Dark Brown Neutral	Exact
4N	Chicory	4N	Dark Brown Neutral	Exact
4NW	Maple	4N	Dark Brown Neutral	Exact
4NG	Pecan	504W	Dark Brown Warm (Extra Coverage)	Close
4WG	Sun Tea	504W	Dark Brown Warm (Extra Coverage)	Approximate
4CB	Clove	504W	Dark Brown Warm (Extra Coverage)	Approximate
4RR	Lava	4RB	Dark Brown Red Brown	Close
4RV	Cabernet	4RB	Dark Brown Red Brown	Close
4VRo	Violet Rose	4VA	Dark Brown Violet Ash	Close
Level 5
5AB	Twilight	5A	Medium Brown Ash	Exact
5NA	Smoke	5A	Medium Brown Ash	Exact
5NN	Cafe Mocha	5N	Medium Brown Neutral	Exact
5N	Walnut	5N	Medium Brown Neutral	Exact
5GB	Truffle	5G	Medium Brown Gold	Exact
5NW	Macchiato	5N	Medium Brown Neutral	Exact
5NG	Caramel	5G	Medium Brown Gold	Exact
5CB	Brownstone	5CG	Medium Brown Copper Gold	Close
5RB	Manzanita	505R	Medium Brown Red (Extra Coverage)	Exact
5RO	Paprika	505R	Medium Brown Red (Extra Coverage)	Exact
5RV	Sangria	505R	Medium Brown Red (Extra Coverage)	Exact
Level 6
6GN	Moss	6A	Light Brown Ash	Approximate
6ABn	Brown Smoke	6A	Light Brown Ash	Exact
6NA	Granite	6A	Light Brown Ash	Exact
6NN	Chocolate Mousse	6N	Light Brown Neutral	Exact
6N	Moroccan Sand	6N	Light Brown Neutral	Exact
6NW	Brandy	6N	Light Brown Neutral	Exact
6NG	St. Tropez	6W	Light Brown Warm	Close
6WG	Mango	6W	Light Brown Warm	Approximate
6CB	Amber Glaze	6W	Light Brown Warm	Approximate
6RO	Bonfire	6RB	Light Brown Red Brown	Close
6RR	Blaze	6RB	Light Brown Red Brown	Close
6VRo	Mauve Rose	6VA	Light Brown Violet Ash	Close
Level 7
7AB	Moonstone	7A	Dark Blonde Ash	Exact
7NA	Pewter	7A	Dark Blonde Ash	Exact
7NN	Cocoa Powder	7N	Dark Blonde Neutral	Exact
7N	Mirage	7N	Dark Blonde Neutral	Exact
7GB	Butterscotch	7G	Dark Blonde Gold	Exact
7NW	Milk Tea	7N	Dark Blonde Neutral	Exact
7NG	Saffron	7G	Dark Blonde Gold	Exact
7RO	Marigold	507R	Dark Blonde Red (Extra Coverage)	Exact
7RR	Flame	507R	Dark Blonde Red (Extra Coverage)	Exact
Level 8
8GN	Ivy	8A	Medium Blonde Ash	Approximate
8AB	Stardust	8A	Medium Blonde Ash	Exact
8NA	Volcanic	8A	Medium Blonde Ash	Exact
8NN	Creme Brulee	8N	Medium Blonde Neutral	Exact
8N	Mojave	8N	Medium Blonde Neutral	Exact
8NW	Safari	8N	Medium Blonde Neutral	Exact
8NG	Sunflower	8W	Medium Blonde Warm	Close
8WG	Golden Apricot	8CC	Medium Blonde Copper Copper	Close
8VRo	Rose Quartz	8A	Medium Blonde Ash	Approximate
Level 9
9NA	Mist	9A	Light Blonde Ash	Exact
9N	Cafe au Lait	9N	Light Blonde Neutral	Exact
9GB	Butter Cream	9G	Light Blonde Gold	Exact
9NW	Cream Soda	9N	Light Blonde Neutral	Exact
9VRo	Rosé	9A	Light Blonde Ash	Approximate
Level 10
10NA	Snow Queen	10AV	Extra Light Blonde Ash Violet	Close
10N	Creme Latte	10N	Extra Light Blonde Neutral	Exact
10NW	Macadamia Nut	10N	Extra Light Blonde Neutral	Exact
10NG	Honey	10N	Extra Light Blonde Neutral	Approximate

How to read the match: Exact = same level and same reflect · Close = same level, same reflect family · Approximate = same level in natural, or adjacent level with the same reflect. Hover each badge for that row's reason.

Of the 69 Color Gels Lacquers shades, 45 exact, 13 close and 11 approximate in this chart with SoColor Pre-Bonded. For example, Color Gels Lacquers's 8AB maps to SoColor Pre-Bonded's 8A. Natural reflects cross over best; iridescent ones need more adjustment.

Color Gels Lacquers writes the reflect with a letter family after the level: a single letter for the pure naturals (8N = Mojave, 6N = Moroccan Sand) and two letters for the rest (NN natural natural, NW natural warm, NA natural ash, GN green, AB ash blue, GB gold beige, NG gold, RO red orange); SoColor Pre-Bonded uses a letter after the level, US scale one level higher than European (7N = dark blonde neutral, A = ash). Both brands write the reflect in a similar way, so reading the code across is straightforward.

View reverse: Matrix SoColor Pre-Bonded to Redken Color Gels Lacquers

We answer your questions

Questions about Color Gels Lacquers and SoColor Pre-Bonded

Common questions when converting between these brands

How many Color Gels Lacquers shades have an exact equivalent in SoColor Pre-Bonded?

Of the 69 Color Gels Lacquers shades, 45 have an exact equivalent in SoColor Pre-Bonded, 13 close and 11 approximate. The level (1-10) is universal; what varies is the reflect.

Are brand equivalences exact?

No. Equivalences are approximate because each brand uses different pigments, bases, and concentrations. The level (1-10) is universal, but the reflect result may vary. We always recommend doing a strand test when switching brands.

Is the converter also in the app?

Yes. Inside Blendsor you'll find it in Learn → Brand converter and in the chat attach button (+). There the equivalent comes with its confidence level and a warning if the product type changes, and you can send it to the advisor to fine-tune it for your client's base, grays and porosity. Download the app.

Can I mix hair color from different brands?

It's not recommended. Each brand formulates its products with specific chemistry (pH, alkalizing agent, pigment system). Mixing brands can create unpredictable reactions and unwanted results. Always use color and developer from the same brand.

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Convert Redken Color Gels Lacquers to Matrix SoColor Pre-Bonded

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Questions about Color Gels Lacquers and SoColor Pre-Bonded

Charts give you the equivalent.Blendsor gives you the full formula for that hair: ratio, developer and timing.

Charts give you the equivalent.
Blendsor gives you the full formula for that hair: ratio, developer and timing.