What does it mean if hair color is labeled as "ash"?

When hair color is labeled as "ash," it indicates that the color contains cool, grayish undertones. These undertones serve a specific purpose in hair coloring, which is to neutralize any unwanted warm tones, such as yellow or orange. This is particularly important for clients who want to achieve a more subdued, muted look rather than the bright, warm highlights often associated with golden tones.

The presence of ash in hair dye is essential for creating a balanced, cooler color outcome. For example, if someone has previously colored their hair with warm tones and wishes to correct or alter that appearance, using an ash-based color can help eliminate those warm hues, resulting in a more desirable shade.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately capture the essence of ash hair color. For instance, warm, golden undertones are characteristic of different shades, not ash. Additionally, noting that ash is purely a temporary color or that it is a non-oxidative color does not hold true; many ash colors are permanent or semi-permanent and involve chemical processes.