Convert Wella Professionals Illumina Color to Redken Color Gels Lacquers

Q: How many Illumina Color shades have an exact equivalent in Color Gels Lacquers?

Of the 43 Illumina Color shades, 34 have an exact equivalent in Color Gels Lacquers, 9 approximate. The level (1-10) is universal; what varies is the reflect.

Find the equivalent for each Wella Professionals Illumina Color shade in Redken Color Gels Lacquers. 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	Color Gels Lacquers	Name	Match
Level 4
4/	Medium Brown	4NN	Coffee Grounds	Exact
Level 5
5/	Light Brown	5NN	Cafe Mocha	Exact
5/02	Light Brown Natural Matte	5AB	Twilight	Exact
5/81	Light Brown Pearl Ash	5AB	Twilight	Exact
5/35	Light Brown Gold Mahogany	5GB	Truffle	Exact
5/43	Light Brown Red Gold	5RB	Manzanita	Exact
5/7	Light Brown	5AB	Twilight	Approximate
Level 6
6/	Dark Blonde	6NN	Chocolate Mousse	Exact
6/16	Dark Ash Violet Blonde	6ABn	Brown Smoke	Exact
6/19	Dark Ash Cendre Blonde	6ABn	Brown Smoke	Exact
6/37	Dark Blonde Gold Brown	6NG	St. Tropez	Exact
6/76	Dark Brown Violet Blonde	6GN	Moss	Exact
Level 7
7/	Medium Blonde	7NN	Cocoa Powder	Exact
7/81	Medium Blonde Pearl Ash	7AB	Moonstone	Exact
7/31	Medium Gold Ash Blonde	7GB	Butterscotch	Exact
7/35	Medium Gold Mahogany Blonde	7GB	Butterscotch	Exact
7/42	Medium Blonde Red Matte	7RO	Marigold	Exact
7/43	Medium Red Gold Blonde	7RO	Marigold	Exact
7/7	Medium Brown Blonde	7AB	Moonstone	Approximate
7/75	Medium Blonde Brown Mahogany	7AB	Moonstone	Approximate
Level 8
8/	Light Blonde	8NN	Creme Brulee	Exact
8/05	Light Natural Mahogany Blonde	8VRo	Rose Quartz	Approximate
8/1	Light Ash Blonde	8AB	Stardust	Exact
8/13	Light Ash Gold Blonde	8AB	Stardust	Exact
8/69	Light Violet Cendre Blonde	8VRo	Rose Quartz	Exact
8/36	Light Gold Violet Blonde	8NG	Sunflower	Exact
8/37	Light Blonde Gold Brown	8NG	Sunflower	Exact
8/38	Light Gold Pearl Blonde	8NG	Sunflower	Exact
Level 9
9/	Very Light Blonde	9N	Cafe au Lait	Exact
9/19	Very Light Ash Cendre Blonde	9NA	Mist	Exact
9/59	Very Light Mahogany Cendre Blonde	9VRo	Rosé	Approximate
9/60	Very Light Violet Natural Blonde	9VRo	Rosé	Exact
9/03	Very Light Natural Gold Blonde	9GB	Butter Cream	Exact
9/37	Very Light Blonde Gold Brown	9GB	Butter Cream	Exact
9/43	Very Light Red Gold Blonde	9N	Cafe au Lait	Approximate
Level 10
10/	Lightest Blonde	10N	Creme Latte	Exact
10/05	Lightest Natural Mahogany Blonde	10N	Creme Latte	Approximate
10/1	Lightest Ash Blonde	10NA	Snow Queen	Exact
10/69	Lightest Violet Cendre Blonde	10NA	Snow Queen	Approximate
10/81	Lightest Blonde Pearl Ash	10NA	Snow Queen	Exact
10/93	Lightest Cendre Gold Blonde	10NA	Snow Queen	Approximate
10/36	Lightest Gold Violet Blonde	10NG	Honey	Exact
10/38	Lightest Gold Pearl Blonde	10NG	Honey	Exact

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 43 Illumina Color shades, 34 exact and 9 approximate in this chart with Color Gels Lacquers. For example, Illumina Color's 6/ maps to Color Gels Lacquers's 6NN. Natural reflects cross over best; mahogany ones need more adjustment.

Illumina Color writes the reflect with a slash (7/81 = pearl blonde); Color Gels Lacquers uses 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). The level (1-10) stays the same; what changes when converting is how the reflect is written.

View reverse: Redken Color Gels Lacquers to Wella Professionals Illumina Color

We answer your questions

Questions about Illumina Color and Color Gels Lacquers

Common questions when converting between these brands

How many Illumina Color shades have an exact equivalent in Color Gels Lacquers?

Of the 43 Illumina Color shades, 34 have an exact equivalent in Color Gels Lacquers, 9 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 Wella Professionals Illumina Color to Redken Color Gels Lacquers

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Questions about Illumina Color and Color Gels Lacquers

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.