Convert Wella Professionals Illumina Color to Paul Mitchell The Color

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

Of the 33 Illumina Color shades, 22 have an exact equivalent in The Color, 11 approximate. The level (1-10) is universal; what varies is the reflect.

Find the equivalent for each Wella Professionals Illumina Color shade in Paul Mitchell The Color. 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	The Color	Name	Match
Level 4
4/	Medium Brown	4N	Medium Brown	Exact
Level 5
5/	Light Brown	5N	Light Brown	Exact
5/02	Light Brown Natural Matte	5A	Light Ash Brown	Exact
5/81	Light Brown Pearl Ash	5A	Light Ash Brown	Exact
5/35	Light Brown Gold Mahogany	5C	Light Copper Brown	Approximate
5/37	Light Brown Gold Brown	5C	Light Copper Brown	Approximate
5/43	Light Brown Red Gold	5RO	Light Red Brown	Exact
5/7	Light Brown	5A	Light Ash Brown	Approximate
Level 6
6/	Dark Blonde	6N	Dark Blonde	Exact
6/16	Dark Ash Violet Blonde	6A	Dark Ash Blonde	Exact
6/19	Dark Ash Cendre Blonde	6A	Dark Ash Blonde	Exact
Level 7
7/	Medium Blonde	7N	Medium Blonde	Exact
7/81	Medium Blonde Pearl Ash	7A	Medium Ash Blonde	Exact
7/31	Medium Gold Matte Blonde	7G	Medium Golden Blonde	Exact
7/35	Medium Gold Mahogany Blonde	7G	Medium Golden Blonde	Exact
7/43	Medium Red Gold Blonde	7C	Medium Copper Blonde	Approximate
7/7	Medium Brown Blonde	7A	Medium Ash Blonde	Approximate
Level 8
8/	Light Blonde	8N	Light Blonde	Exact
8/1	Light Ash Blonde	8A	Light Ash Blonde	Exact
8/13	Light Ash Gold Blonde	8A	Light Ash Blonde	Exact
8/69	Light Violet Cendre Blonde	8A	Light Ash Blonde	Approximate
8/36	Light Gold Violet Blonde	8G	Light Golden Blonde	Exact
8/37	Light Blonde Gold Brown	8G	Light Golden Blonde	Exact
8/38	Light Gold Pearl Blonde	8G	Light Golden Blonde	Exact
Level 9
9/	Very Light Blonde	9N	Very Light Blonde	Exact
9/19	Very Light Ash Cendre Blonde	9A	Very Light Ash Blonde	Exact
9/59	Very Light Mahogany Cendre Blonde	9A	Very Light Ash Blonde	Exact
9/60	Very Light Violet Natural Blonde	9A	Very Light Ash Blonde	Approximate
9/03	Very Light Natural Gold Blonde	9N	Very Light Blonde	Approximate
Level 10
10/	Lightest Blonde	10N	Lightest Blonde	Exact
10/1	Lightest Ash Blonde	10N	Lightest Blonde	Approximate
10/69	Lightest Violet Cendre Blonde	10N	Lightest Blonde	Approximate
10/81	Lightest Blonde Pearl Ash	10N	Lightest Blonde	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, 22 exact and 11 approximate in this chart with The Color. For example, Illumina Color's 6/ maps to The Color's 6N. Natural reflects cross over best; matte ones need more adjustment.

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

View reverse: Paul Mitchell The Color to Wella Professionals Illumina Color

We answer your questions

Questions about Illumina Color and The Color

Common questions when converting between these brands

How many Illumina Color shades have an exact equivalent in The Color?

Of the 33 Illumina Color shades, 22 have an exact equivalent in The Color, 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.

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 Paul Mitchell The Color

Other popular conversions

Questions about Illumina Color and The Color

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.