Convert Wella Professionals Illumina Color to Matrix SoColor Pre-Bonded

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

Of the 33 Illumina Color shades, 23 have an exact equivalent in SoColor Pre-Bonded, 5 close and 5 approximate. The level (1-10) is universal; what varies is the reflect.

Find the equivalent for each Wella Professionals Illumina Color 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.

Illumina Color	Name	SoColor Pre-Bonded	Name	Match
Level 4
4/	Medium Brown	4N	Dark Brown Neutral	Exact
Level 5
5/	Light Brown	5N	Medium Brown Neutral	Exact
5/02	Light Brown Natural Matte	5A	Medium Brown Ash	Exact
5/81	Light Brown Pearl Ash	5A	Medium Brown Ash	Exact
5/35	Light Brown Gold Mahogany	5G	Medium Brown Gold	Exact
5/37	Light Brown Gold Brown	5G	Medium Brown Gold	Exact
5/43	Light Brown Red Gold	505R	Medium Brown Red (Extra Coverage)	Exact
5/7	Light Brown	5A	Medium Brown Ash	Approximate
Level 6
6/	Dark Blonde	6N	Light Brown Neutral	Exact
6/16	Dark Ash Violet Blonde	6A	Light Brown Ash	Exact
6/19	Dark Ash Cendre Blonde	6A	Light Brown Ash	Exact
Level 7
7/	Medium Blonde	7N	Dark Blonde Neutral	Exact
7/81	Medium Blonde Pearl Ash	7A	Dark Blonde Ash	Exact
7/31	Medium Gold Matte Blonde	7G	Dark Blonde Gold	Exact
7/35	Medium Gold Mahogany Blonde	7G	Dark Blonde Gold	Exact
7/43	Medium Red Gold Blonde	507R	Dark Blonde Red (Extra Coverage)	Exact
7/7	Medium Brown Blonde	7A	Dark Blonde Ash	Approximate
Level 8
8/	Light Blonde	8N	Medium Blonde Neutral	Exact
8/1	Light Ash Blonde	8A	Medium Blonde Ash	Exact
8/13	Light Ash Gold Blonde	8A	Medium Blonde Ash	Exact
8/69	Light Violet Cendre Blonde	8A	Medium Blonde Ash	Approximate
8/36	Light Gold Violet Blonde	8W	Medium Blonde Warm	Close
8/37	Light Blonde Gold Brown	8W	Medium Blonde Warm	Close
8/38	Light Gold Pearl Blonde	8W	Medium Blonde Warm	Close
Level 9
9/	Very Light Blonde	9N	Light Blonde Neutral	Exact
9/19	Very Light Ash Cendre Blonde	9A	Light Blonde Ash	Exact
9/59	Very Light Mahogany Cendre Blonde	9A	Light Blonde Ash	Exact
9/60	Very Light Violet Natural Blonde	9A	Light Blonde Ash	Approximate
9/03	Very Light Natural Gold Blonde	9G	Light Blonde Gold	Exact
Level 10
10/	Lightest Blonde	10N	Extra Light Blonde Neutral	Exact
10/1	Lightest Ash Blonde	10AV	Extra Light Blonde Ash Violet	Close
10/69	Lightest Violet Cendre Blonde	10AV	Extra Light Blonde Ash Violet	Approximate
10/81	Lightest Blonde Pearl Ash	10AV	Extra Light Blonde Ash Violet	Close

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 33 Illumina Color shades, 23 exact, 5 close and 5 approximate in this chart with SoColor Pre-Bonded. For example, Illumina Color's 6/ maps to SoColor Pre-Bonded's 6N. Natural reflects cross over best; matte ones need more adjustment.

Illumina Color writes the reflect with a slash (7/81 = pearl blonde); SoColor Pre-Bonded uses a letter after the level, US scale one level higher than European (7N = dark blonde neutral, A = ash). The level (1-10) stays the same; what changes when converting is how the reflect is written.

View reverse: Matrix SoColor Pre-Bonded to Wella Professionals Illumina Color

We answer your questions

Questions about Illumina Color and SoColor Pre-Bonded

Common questions when converting between these brands

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

Of the 33 Illumina Color shades, 23 have an exact equivalent in SoColor Pre-Bonded, 5 close and 5 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.

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.

What if the exact shade doesn't exist in the other brand?

The tool shows you the closest available shade. If you need a very specific result, you can combine two shades from the target brand (for example, mixing a natural with an ash to get a soft ash). Blendsor calculates these mixes automatically.

Have more questions?

Email us at hello@blendsor.com

Take the next step

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

Analyzes dozens of variables and generates complete formulas with the brands in each salon. Free.

Convert Wella Professionals Illumina Color to Matrix SoColor Pre-Bonded

Other popular conversions

Questions about Illumina Color 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.