colour /

Image credits / Hair: Karine Jackson Assistants: Bobbie Mills and Rebecca Barnes Make-up: Elizabeth Rita

no ammonia /

Enjoy a clean-air salon without the invasive fumes of this conventional pH adjuster.

covers grey /

Achieve full grey coverage that melts into a perfect natural-looking finish.

organic & natural ingredients /

Carefully selected extracts and oils help protect and nourish hair and scalp throughout the colouring process.

low-tox /

High-performance formulations meticulously crafted using the cleanest ingredients possible.

vegan friendly /

Made without animal content and never tested on animals.

68 shades /

Fully intermixable gel colours for endless bespoke results.

the colour wheel /

Each OCS shade is plotted on the wheel to help you effectively formulate.


predominant underlying tones /

base 1 / blue
base 2 / blue/violet
base 3 / violet
base 4 / violet/red
base 5 / red
base 6 / red/orange
base 7 / orange
base 8 / orange/yellow
base 9 / yellow
base 10 / pale yellow


concentrates /

DB / Dark Blue / base 3
DXAH / Dark Extra Ash / base 4.5
V / Violet / base 5
R / Red / base 6
GR / Grey / base 6.5
LXAH / Light Extra Ash / base 6.5
LB / Light Blue / base 7
G / Gold / base 8
S / Silver / base 8

the system /

consult /

A thorough consultation is essential to understand your client’s needs, as well as assessing the health and condition of their hair. Factors such as hard water, medications, product buildup, and previous colour applications all play a crucial role in achieving the best results. Understanding the hair’s history provides the knowledge needed for a successful service.

read more

analyse /

The wet stretch test is a tool to determine the condition of your client's hair. It can be used throughout your service to help inform your decision making regarding product choice.

We recommend starting and finishing each appointment with a wet stretch test, in front of the mirror with your client, to show the impact of your service. This can help support strong retail sales.

Another important WST check point is following your preparation shampoos and/or treatments to ensure the cuticle has released sufficiently for grey coverage.

cleanse /

It is important that OCS colour is applied to clean, uncoated hair. For best guaranteed results, we recommend:

1 / Remove any product build-up using the charcoal detox shampoo.

2 / Cleanse the hair using the relevant shampoo for the hair's needs, based on the results of the wet stretch test.

3 / Perform WST to determine if treatment is required prior to your colour service.

pre-treat / if required /

A pre-colour treatment is necessary when the WST shows:

Stretch without good return /

For protein-deficient hair which stretches but does not return, or stretches and breaks, we recommend treating with Power Build Revamp to fortify and strengthen the hair prior to colouring.

Hard to stretch /

It is likely, using the new concentrated care formulas, that your detox and cleanse will sufficiently release the cuticle for beautiful grey coverage. This eliminates the need for a pre-colour moisture treatment.

However, if the hair is still hard to stretch, you can use the aqua boost intense moisture treatment to further soften the hair.

transform /

It's now time to formulate, mix and apply your colour.

gel colours /

✔ 1:1 mixing ratio / mix 1 part colour gel with 1 part activator of your choice.

✔ Measure accurately and mix thoroughly.

✔ Keep head warm by covering with the thermal booster hat.

✔ Develop for 35-40 minutes.

highlift 11 series /

✔ 1:2 mixing ratio / mix 1 part highlift with 2 parts 12% cream activator.

✔ Mix small quantities often and mix throughly.

✔ Cover with thermal booster hat.

✔ Develop for 45-50 minutes.

no limits /

✔ Ready to use, pre-mixed, semi-permanent colour. No activator required.

✔ For vibrant results apply to pre-lightened, light blonde hair.

✔ For pastelised results, mix with cream treatment of your choice and apply to pre-lightened, light blonde hair.

✔ For natural colours apply to clean, uncoated hair.

✔ Apply colour generously and cover with thermal booster hat.

✔ Process for 30 minutes.

take me to no limits

naturlite /

✔ 1:2 mixing ratio / mix 1 part naturlite with 2 parts cream activator.

✔ Mix small quantities often and mix throughly.

✔ No thermal booster hat required.

✔ No specific development time, watch until desired result is achieved.

✔ For on scalp lightening use naturlite oil 1:2:1 / mix 1 part naturlite with 2 parts cream activator and 1 part oil.

✔ Add to highlift formulations to boost lift / mix 1 part highlift gel with 2 parts cream activator and 1 part naturlite.

take me to naturlite

rinse & lock /

Emulsify colour with a small amount of water, rinse thoroughly and cleanse with your chosen shampoo. Do not shampoo after a no limits colour.

It is now time to close the cuticle and lock your colour in. You can do this with either the intense protein or moisture treatment, or your chosen ocs conditioner.

Massage into the hair for a full five minutes to ensure the cuticle is properly closed.

prescribe /

Now is the perfect time to perform your final WST with your client in front of the mirror. This will show how much the condition of their hair has improved throughout their colour service and support your retail sales.

Show your client the products you have used on their hair for this service and teach them how to use them for best results at home.

Style using ocs control range and send your client away feeling and looking like a million dollars. Remember, a happy salon guest is your best advertisement.

your hints & tips for top results /

Hairdressers around the world have been using ocs for over 30 years, finding all sorts of wonderful ways to achieve fabulous results. Here are some of your hints and tips you've shared along the way. Do you have a top tip you'd like to share? Get in touch here.

OCS colour products work best when they thoroughly saturate the hair. Be sure to remove excess moisture from hair to avoid diluting your product.

Yes, if you like working with dry hair, you can! Some ocs hairdressers get their best results when they apply their colour onto dry hair. The key is ensuring the hair is clean and uncoated.

Many of you have advised your best white hair coverage is achieved when 3% activator - cream, liquid or rapid - is used.

Any ocs activator - liquid, rapid or cream - can be used with your colour gel. So feel free to use whichever you prefer.

However, only cream activator should be used with natulite powder and highlift formulations.

tone families /

natural /

N / base shades
NN / double base

gold /

GD / golden