Color SHOCK professional colour is mixed with developer at a 1:2 ratio — one part colour to two parts developer (e.g. 60 g of colour + 120 ml of developer). The developer strength is chosen by goal, the mixture is prepared in a non-metallic bowl and used immediately. This article walks through the whole mixing process step by step: the exact ratio, quantities by hair length, the essential tools and the most common mistakes that spoil the result before the colour even touches the hair.
The standard Color SHOCK ratio is 1:2: one part colour, two parts developer. For example: 30 g of colour + 60 ml of developer, 60 g + 120 ml, 90 g + 180 ml. Always measure with scales or a measuring cylinder — mixing 'by eye' shifts the pigment-to-activator balance: a mixture that is too thin weakens the colour and grey coverage, one that is too thick spreads unevenly.
The 1:2 ratio applies to every shade in the palette, including the high-lift 12 series and the MEN line — only the developer strength and processing time differ.
| Hair length | Colour | Developer (1:2) |
|---|---|---|
| Short (chin length) | 30 g | 60 ml |
| Medium (shoulder length) | 40–50 g | 80–100 ml |
| Long | 60 g | 120 ml |
| Very long or dense | 90 g | 180 ml |
One 180 ml Color SHOCK tube covers about three medium-length applications on average — check your own salon numbers in the price calculator.
For a detailed guide to each concentration and choosing by hair condition, see the article on choosing the developer concentration.
In everyday practice the most common job is not a first-time colour but a regrowth touch-up. For 2–3 cm of regrowth, ~30 g of colour is usually enough (~90 g of mixture with developer), so there is no need to mix a full 'long hair' portion. If the lengths are refreshed during the same visit, it is convenient to work in two stages: fresh mixture goes on the regrowth, and the remaining part onto the lengths for the final 10–15 minutes, so the lengths do not oversaturate with pigment and darken with every visit.
Color SHOCK shades can be intermixed — this is how intermediate tones are created and the tone direction is corrected. The key rules: the developer amount is calculated from the total amount of colour (e.g. 20 g + 40 g of colour = 120 ml of developer at 1:2); when covering grey, a fashion shade is mixed with a natural (.0) tone of the same depth so there is enough covering power; write the recipe down on the client card — grams, shades, developer and timing — so you can repeat the result exactly at the next visit.
A correctly mixed mixture has a smooth, creamy texture: it does not drip from the brush but spreads easily through the strand. A mixture that is too thin runs onto the skin and covers unevenly; one that is too thick does not coat the hair completely. If the consistency is off even though you kept to 1:2, check the scales and whether the developer has been open for a long time — once it loses activity, it changes the texture of the mixture as well.
Oxidation starts the moment colour meets developer — the mixture is most active for the first ~30 minutes, so it is prepared right before application. Leftover mixture cannot be kept for next time — it will no longer work. The unsqueezed part of the tube stays usable: close it tightly and store in a cool place. Another advantage of the 180 ml tube — you squeeze out only as much as the specific application needs.
Five things determine a predictable result: the 1:2 ratio, scales, a non-metallic bowl, a fresh mixture and a developer chosen for the goal. You will find the full developer line (1.5%–9%, 1000 ml) in the product catalogue.
1:2 — one part colour and two parts developer. For example, 60 g of colour + 120 ml of developer.
Most often 20 vol (6%) — it covers grey reliably tone-on-tone. Without lift, 3% covers grey as well.
Yes, shades can be intermixed; developer is added at 1:2 based on the total amount of colour.
The mixture is prepared right before application and used immediately — the first ~30 minutes are the most active. Leftovers cannot be kept for the next appointment.
Hairstylist, image designer, lecturer
A creator who sees the beauty industry through a wider lens — over 30 years of experience in salon work, training and professional apparel design.
Read full bio →A beginner needs a base palette of natural (.0) and ash (.1) tones plus a developer set (10/20/30 vol). Why the 180 ml pack suits practice.
Read more →TipsA precise calculation: the dye cost of one coloring with Color SHOCK 180 ml is about €2.63 — roughly 76% less than a standard 60 ml pack.
Read more →The numbers speak for themselves. Try Color SHOCK 180 ml dyes and feel the difference in Your work — from the very first application.
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