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 33 Illumina Color shades, 26 have an exact equivalent in Color Gels Lacquers, 7 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	Double Espresso	Exact
Level 5
5/	Light Brown	5NN	Cafe Mocha	Exact
5/02	Light Brown Natural Matte	5NA	Smoke	Exact
5/81	Light Brown Pearl Ash	5NA	Smoke	Exact
5/35	Light Brown Gold Mahogany	5GB	Twilight	Exact
5/37	Light Brown Gold Brown	5GB	Twilight	Exact
5/43	Light Brown Red Gold	5RO	Manzanita	Exact
5/7	Light Brown	5NA	Smoke	Approximate
Level 6
6/	Dark Blonde	6NN	Chocolate Mousse	Exact
6/16	Dark Ash Violet Blonde	6NA	Granite	Exact
6/19	Dark Ash Cendre Blonde	6NA	Granite	Exact
Level 7
7/	Medium Blonde	7NN	Cocoa Powder	Exact
7/81	Medium Blonde Pearl Ash	7NA	Pewter	Exact
7/31	Medium Gold Matte Blonde	7GB	Butterscotch	Exact
7/35	Medium Gold Mahogany Blonde	7GB	Butterscotch	Exact
7/43	Medium Red Gold Blonde	7RR	Flame	Exact
7/7	Medium Brown Blonde	7NA	Pewter	Approximate
Level 8
8/	Light Blonde	8NN	Creme Brulee	Exact
8/1	Light Ash Blonde	8NA	Volcanic	Exact
8/13	Light Ash Gold Blonde	8NA	Volcanic	Exact
8/69	Light Violet Cendre Blonde	8NA	Volcanic	Approximate
8/36	Light Gold Violet Blonde	8NG	Safari	Exact
8/37	Light Blonde Gold Brown	8NG	Safari	Exact
8/38	Light Gold Pearl Blonde	8NG	Safari	Exact
Level 9
9/	Very Light Blonde	9N	Mist	Exact
9/19	Very Light Ash Cendre Blonde	9NA	Sky	Exact
9/59	Very Light Mahogany Cendre Blonde	9NA	Sky	Exact
9/60	Very Light Violet Natural Blonde	9NA	Sky	Approximate
9/03	Very Light Natural Gold Blonde	9GB	Butter Cream	Exact
Level 10
10/	Lightest Blonde	10N	Snow Queen	Exact
10/1	Lightest Ash Blonde	10N	Snow Queen	Approximate
10/69	Lightest Violet Cendre Blonde	10N	Snow Queen	Approximate
10/81	Lightest Blonde Pearl Ash	10N	Snow Queen	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 33 Illumina Color shades, 26 exact and 7 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; matte ones need more adjustment.

Illumina Color writes the reflect with a slash (7/81 = pearl blonde); Color Gels Lacquers uses a double-letter family after the level (5NW = natural warm, NN = natural natural, NA = natural ash). 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 33 Illumina Color shades, 26 have an exact equivalent in Color Gels Lacquers, 7 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

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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.