Shades EQ toner guide

Toning level 7 orange to neutral

Updated October 13, 2026 · 3 min read · ✓ Reviewed by a licensed colorist

Short answer

Level 7 lifts to an orange underlying pigment, and blue cancels orange. For a natural, not ashy, result, one example starting formula is 07NA Pewter 1 oz + 07N Mirage 1 oz with 2 oz Shades EQ Processing Solution, processed 20 minutes at room temperature on dry hair. 07N’s brown-to-tan background helps keep the result soft and natural. Strand test first.

Why level 7 looks orange

At level 7 the underlying pigment is orange, and its corrective tone is blue. Neutral means cancelling the orange without pushing past it into cool or smoky. One way to do that is to pair a blue-based cancelling shade with a Natural (N) shade that adds a brown-to-tan foundation.

Two example starting formulas

Both are intended for a lightened level 7 canvas showing orange. They are not interchangeable: each corrects the orange differently. Strand test, then adjust the formula to how the hair responds.

Option 1

Natural

07NAPewter1 oz
07NMirage1 oz

+ Processing Solution 2 oz20 min

NA’s blue-violet base cancels orange; N’s brown-to-tan background helps keep it natural instead of ashy.

Option 2

Matte

07MDriftwood1 oz
07NMirage1 oz

+ Processing Solution 2 oz20 min

Matte’s blue-green base cancels orange and red with a soft matte finish. The blue-green reflect changes the correction, so expect a different result from Option 1.

How to apply

Strand test first. Check the result on a strand and adjust the formula to how the hair responds.
Mix 1:1 with Processing Solution. Any 000 Crystal Clear counts toward the color side: 1 oz shade + 1 oz Clear needs 2 oz Processing Solution.
Look at each zone. Assess roots, mids and ends separately. Their levels and warmth depend on previous color, application, porosity and scalp heat. If they differ a lot, give each zone its own formula and choose the application order for those zones.
Process the full 20 minutes at room temperature on dry hair.

NA has a black-to-gray background. On very porous hair it can grab and leave strands darker than intended, so consider applying porous ends last.

Common questions

I want cool, not neutral. What should I use?

Use a stronger blue base, such as 07T Steel (silver/blue, smoky) or 07VB Violet Star (strong blue-violet, made for corrective toning).

Can I swap 07M for 07NA in Option 1?

Not as a like-for-like swap. M adds a blue-green reflect, which changes the correction, so 07M + 07N and 07NA + 07N give different results. Strand test whichever you choose.

Sources

Checked against Redken US materials, October 2026.