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 44 Color Gels Lacquers shades, 31 have an exact equivalent in SoColor Pre-Bonded, 8 close and 5 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
1NN	Midnight	1N	Black Neutral	Exact
Level 2
2ABn	Cool Ebony	2N	Natural Black	Approximate
Level 3
3NW	Cocoa Bean	3N	Darkest Brown Neutral	Exact
3NN	Espresso	3N	Darkest Brown Neutral	Exact
3RO	Mahogany	3BR	Darkest Brown Brown Red	Close
Level 4
4NN	Double Espresso	4N	Dark Brown Neutral	Exact
4NA	Forest	4A	Dark Brown Ash	Exact
4ABn	Dark Roast	4A	Dark Brown Ash	Exact
4WG	Sun Tea	504W	Dark Brown Warm (Extra Coverage)	Approximate
4CB	Clove	504W	Dark Brown Warm (Extra Coverage)	Approximate
4RV	Cabernet	4RB	Dark Brown Red Brown	Close
Level 5
5NN	Cafe Mocha	5N	Medium Brown Neutral	Exact
5NW	Walnut	5N	Medium Brown Neutral	Exact
5NA	Smoke	5A	Medium Brown Ash	Exact
5GB	Twilight	5G	Medium Brown Gold	Exact
5NG	Caramel	5G	Medium Brown Gold	Exact
5RO	Manzanita	505R	Medium Brown Red (Extra Coverage)	Exact
5RV	Sangria	505R	Medium Brown Red (Extra Coverage)	Exact
5RR	Paprika	505R	Medium Brown Red (Extra Coverage)	Exact
Level 6
6NN	Chocolate Mousse	6N	Light Brown Neutral	Exact
6NW	Moroccan Sand	6N	Light Brown Neutral	Exact
6NA	Granite	6A	Light Brown Ash	Exact
6ABn	Brown Smoke	6A	Light Brown Ash	Exact
6GB	Ivy	6W	Light Brown Warm	Close
6NG	St. Tropez	6W	Light Brown Warm	Close
6WG	Mango	6W	Light Brown Warm	Approximate
6CB	Amber Glaze	6W	Light Brown Warm	Approximate
6RR	Blaze	6RB	Light Brown Red Brown	Close
6RO	Bonfire	6RB	Light Brown Red Brown	Close
Level 7
7NN	Cocoa Powder	7N	Dark Blonde Neutral	Exact
7NW	Mirage	7N	Dark Blonde Neutral	Exact
7NA	Pewter	7A	Dark Blonde Ash	Exact
7GB	Butterscotch	7G	Dark Blonde Gold	Exact
7NG	Saffron	7G	Dark Blonde Gold	Exact
7RR	Flame	507R	Dark Blonde Red (Extra Coverage)	Exact
Level 8
8NN	Creme Brulee	8N	Medium Blonde Neutral	Exact
8N	Cafe au Lait	8N	Medium Blonde Neutral	Exact
8NA	Volcanic	8A	Medium Blonde Ash	Exact
8NG	Safari	8W	Medium Blonde Warm	Close
8WG	Golden Apricot	8CC	Medium Blonde Copper Copper	Close
Level 9
9N	Mist	9N	Light Blonde Neutral	Exact
9NA	Sky	9A	Light Blonde Ash	Exact
9GB	Butter Cream	9G	Light Blonde Gold	Exact
Level 10
10N	Snow Queen	10N	Extra Light Blonde Neutral	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 44 Color Gels Lacquers shades, 31 exact, 8 close and 5 approximate in this chart with SoColor Pre-Bonded. For example, Color Gels Lacquers's 6NN maps to SoColor Pre-Bonded's 6N. Natural reflects cross over best; copper ones need more adjustment.

Color Gels Lacquers writes the reflect with a double-letter family after the level (5NW = natural warm, NN = natural natural, NA = natural ash); 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 44 Color Gels Lacquers shades, 31 have an exact equivalent in SoColor Pre-Bonded, 8 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?

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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.