In short: Schwarzkopf Igora Royal is a professional permanent crème colour with up to 100% white coverage and High Definition Technology for intense, true-to-tuft results. Mix it 1:1 with Igora Royal Oil Developer (3%, 6%, 9% or 12%), apply to dry hair and process for 30–45 minutes. The core shades lift up to 3 levels; for more, the Highlifts series lifts up to 5.
Written for salon professionals. Reviewed against current Schwarzkopf Professional guidance.
What is Schwarzkopf Igora Royal?
Igora Royal is Schwarzkopf Professional's flagship permanent colour — developed by colourists for colourists, and known for intense, true-to-tuft results, dependable up to 100% white coverage and an easy-to-read shade system. It's a direct salon rival to L'Oreal Majirel and Wella Koleston Perfect, and a colour-bar staple in thousands of UK salons.
It's built on High Definition Technology: re-engineered pigment matrices for clarity of tone and greater intensity, plus lipid carriers that amplify pigment penetration and lock colour in for longer retention — the result Schwarzkopf calls "True Colour in High Definition".
The wider Igora Royal family covers most colour services within one system: Naturals and Natural Extra (for coverage), Fashion Tones, Pastels, Highlifts (Ultra Blonde and Special Blonde), Absolutes (for mature hair), Silver Whites and Fashion Lights, plus Vario Blond powder lighteners.
How to read the Igora Royal shade numbers
Igora Royal uses a simple system of up to three numbers. The number before the dash is the depth (the base, from black up to ultra blonde). The number(s) after the dash are the tone: the first is the primary (dominant) tone, the second is the secondary tone — so 5-65 is a light brown with a chocolate primary and gold secondary reflect.
Depth / base shade (before the dash):
| Number | Depth |
|---|---|
| 1 | Black |
| 3 | Dark brown |
| 4 | Medium brown |
| 5 | Light brown |
| 6 | Dark blonde |
| 7 | Medium blonde |
| 8 | Light blonde |
| 9 | Extra light blonde |
| 10 | Ultra blonde |
| 12 | Special blonde (Highlifts) |
Tone direction (after the dash):
| Number | Tone |
|---|---|
| 0 | Natural |
| 1 | Cendré |
| 2 | Ash |
| 3 | Matt |
| 4 | Beige |
| 5 | Gold |
| 6 | Chocolate |
| 7 | Copper |
| 8 | Red |
| 9 | Violet |
So, for example, 7-1 is a medium blonde cendré, and 6-65 is a dark blonde with a chocolate-gold reflect.
What's the Igora Royal mixing ratio?
The core Igora Royal range mixes at a 1:1 ratio with Igora Royal Oil Developer — for example, 60g of colour to 60ml of developer — across Naturals, Natural Extra, Fashion Tones, Pastels, Absolutes, Silver Whites and Fashion Lights. The Highlifts vary by series: Ultra Blonde (10-) is 1:1 and Special Blonde (12-) is 1:2 (see below).
Which Igora Royal Oil Developer should you use?
Choose your developer strength by the lift and coverage you need. For a fuller refresher, see our guide to developer volumes.
| Developer | Volume | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 3% | 10 vol | Tone-on-tone, colouring darker, deposit on pre-lightened hair, Pastels, Silver Whites |
| 6% | 20 vol | Coverage on white hair, colour on the same level, lifting 1–2 levels |
| 9% | 30 vol | Lifting 2–3 levels; coverage with Absolutes / Natural Extra |
| 12% | 40 vol | Maximum lift with the Ultra Blonde and Special Blonde (Highlifts) series |
How much does Igora Royal lift?
The core shades lift up to around 2–3 levels with 9% (30 vol). For lighter blonde results in one step, use the high-lift series: the Ultra Blonde (10-) shades lift 3–4 levels, and the Special Blonde (12-) Highlifts lift 4–5 levels (on a natural base 6 and lighter). For results beyond what colour can lift, pre-lighten with a powder lightener first, then tone or colour.
Does Igora Royal cover grey?
Igora Royal covers white reliably, but the right approach depends on the shade family and the percentage of white:
- Naturals: 100% white coverage up to level 9, with natural-looking, long-lasting, true-to-tuft results.
- Natural Extra (-00): total coverage even on thick, coarse and colour-resistant hair, with up to 25% more pigment than the Naturals.
- Fashion shades: up to 70% white when used pure; for 70–100% white, mix 2:1 with a Natural shade (or 1:1 on thick, resistant hair).
Use 6% (20 vol) for coverage and apply to dry hair. Schwarzkopf's expert tip for 100% coverage: mix one part Natural shade with two parts of your chosen Fashion shade. For 90%+ white, Natural Extra or Absolutes give the most opaque result. For the full method across the brands, see our grey coverage guide.
Igora Royal Highlifts (special blondes)
Igora Royal Highlifts are powerful lifting shades for the coolest blonde results, built with a TrueLift Complex (strong lift with built-in warmth neutralisation) and integrated Fibre Bond Technology that protects the hair's bonds during lifting, in one step. There are two series, with different ratios:
- Ultra Blonde (10-): up to 4 levels of lift, for use on base 7–8. Mixed 1:1 — 9% for up to 3 levels, 12% for up to 4.
- Special Blonde (12-): up to 5 levels of lift, for use on bases 6–8. Mixed 1:2 — 9% for up to 4 levels, 12% for up to 5.
Develop for 30–45 minutes. When using cool shades, stay around 2cm from the hairline on the first application and apply a neutralising shade there last to prevent over-pigmentation. Finish the service with Fibreplex No.2 for bond creation and lasting colour protection.
Igora Royal Pastels
Pastels are translucent toning shades for personalising and neutralising pre-lightened blondes — effective on yellow tones and for soft, custom pastel results, for use on base 9 and lighter. Mixed 1:1 with 3% (10 vol) and developed for 5–30 minutes (keep an eye on it). Apply to dry hair after the lightening and pH-balancing step.
Igora Royal Absolutes (mature hair)
Igora Royal Absolutes is the go-to for mature clients — up to 100% white coverage with up to 30% more dye stuff than other Igora Royal shades, in both natural and fashion shades. It adds two technologies: a Pro-Age-Complex (collagen and siliamine) that smooths the cuticle for shine and feel, and Low Odour Technology — an oil-structure cream base that blocks ammonia evaporation to reduce smell. Mixed 1:1 with Igora Royal Oil Developer — 9% as standard, or 6% for pure colour deposit on more than 90% white.
Igora Royal Silver Whites
Silver Whites are low-commitment shades for beautifying white and grey hair, with extra care for mature hair, and every shade is intermixable. Mixed 1:1 with 3% (10 vol) and developed for up to 20 minutes. Shade guide:
- Silver: 70–100% white, base 6 and lighter
- Dove Grey & Grey Lilac: 30–100% white, base 5 and lighter
- Slate Grey: 30–60% white, base 1–5
Igora Royal Fashion Lights
Fashion Lights lift and colour in one step for highlighting techniques — bright, luminous results with up to 5 levels of lift, strong contrast even on dark or coloured bases, and integrated Fibre Bond Technology. For use on base 6 and darker, off-scalp only, mixed 1:1 with 12% (40 vol) and developed for 30–45 minutes (45 minutes when lifting tinted bases).
Igora Vario Blond lighteners
For lightening, the Igora Vario Blond White dust-free powder lifts up to around 7–8 levels, while Igora Vario Blond Blue adds extra cool control for anti-yellow results. Unlike Highlifts, Vario Blond can be used on previously coloured hair as well as all natural bases. Mix roughly 1:1.5 to 1:2 with developer to your chosen consistency, keeping stronger developer off-scalp. See our bleach and lightener guide for lift levels and developer choice.
Neutralisers, boosters and additives
The Igora Royal technical range fine-tunes any formula — to boost, shift or neutralise tone:
- Neutralisers (0-11, 0-22, 0-33): add cool tone directions to cancel unwanted warmth — up to 5% of the mix on base 8–9, up to 15% on base 6–7, up to 25% on base 1–5.
- Boosters (0-55, 0-77, 0-88, 0-89, 0-99): intensify fashion tones and can make up to 50% of the colour cream (too much reduces coverage).
- Extract E-1: a pure cendré for adding cool to any target shade.
- Diluter 0-00 and Pastelfier: reduce pigment concentration for softer, muted pastel tones.
Whenever you add a neutraliser, booster, extract, diluter or pastelfier, increase the Oil Developer proportionally to keep the target depth.
How do you apply Igora Royal?
Always apply to dry hair, in small sections, with a generous amount of colour for even, full coverage.
Virgin application (first-time colour):
- Mix 1:1 with your chosen Oil Developer.
- Apply in small sections, starting through the mid-lengths and ends, and develop for 10 minutes (15 minutes for Fashion shades).
- Then apply to the re-growth area and develop for a further 30–45 minutes.
Re-growth application (retouch):
- Apply colour only to the re-growth area, in small sections, and develop for 30–45 minutes.
- To refresh the mid-lengths and ends, use a dual application and develop for a further 10–20 minutes.
Dual System: for the best condition and longevity, many colourists pair permanent Igora Royal on the re-growth with a demi-permanent (Igora Vibrance) through the mid-lengths and ends — full coverage at the root, a gentler refresh on the lengths.
Rinsing: emulsify and rinse until the water runs clear, then finish with a colour-safe shampoo (such as Schwarzkopf BC Color Freeze) and a post-colour sealer.
Always carry out an allergy alert test 48 hours before each colour service, plus a strand test where appropriate.
Igora Royal vs Majirel vs Koleston Perfect
| Igora Royal | Majirel | Koleston Perfect | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Schwarzkopf | L'Oreal | Wella |
| Type | Permanent crème | Permanent crème | Permanent crème |
| Grey coverage | Up to 100% | Up to 100% | Up to 100% |
| Mixing ratio | 1:1 (Highlifts 1:1 or 1:2) | 1:1.5 | 1:1 |
| Developer | Igora Royal Oil Developer | Creme Oxydant | Welloxon Perfect |
Quick reference
- Type: permanent crème colour, High Definition Technology (Schwarzkopf)
- Grey coverage: up to 100% white (Naturals up to level 9)
- Mixing ratio: 1:1 core (Highlifts: Ultra Blonde 1:1, Special Blonde 1:2)
- Developers: 3% / 6% / 9% / 12% (10 / 20 / 30 / 40 vol)
- Lift: 2–3 levels core; Ultra Blonde 3–4; Special Blonde 4–5
- Application: dry hair; virgin = mid-lengths/ends first (10 min), then roots (30–45 min)
- Family: Naturals, Natural Extra, Fashion Tones, Pastels, Highlifts, Absolutes, Silver Whites, Fashion Lights, Vario Blond
Frequently asked questions
What is the Igora Royal mixing ratio?
1:1 for the core range (60g colour to 60ml developer). The Highlifts vary by series — Ultra Blonde (10-) is 1:1 and Special Blonde (12-) is 1:2.
What developer do you use with Igora Royal?
Igora Royal Oil Developer in 3% (10 vol), 6% (20 vol), 9% (30 vol) or 12% (40 vol). Use 6% for grey coverage and colour on the same level, 9% for 2–3 levels of lift, and 12% with the Ultra Blonde and Special Blonde Highlifts.
Does Igora Royal cover grey?
Yes — the Naturals give 100% white coverage up to level 9. Apply on dry hair with 6%; for 100% coverage mix one part Natural shade with two parts Fashion shade, and use Natural Extra or Absolutes on 90%+ white.
How much does Igora Royal lift?
2–3 levels for the core shades. The Ultra Blonde (10-) series lifts 3–4 levels (mixed 1:1) and the Special Blonde (12-) Highlifts lift 4–5 levels on base 6 or lighter (mixed 1:2 with 12%).
How do you read Igora Royal shade numbers?
The number before the dash is the depth (1 black to 10 ultra blonde); the numbers after are the tone — first the primary, then the secondary (0 natural, 1 cendré, 2 ash, 3 matt, 4 beige, 5 gold, 6 chocolate, 7 copper, 8 red, 9 violet).
What is Igora Royal Absolutes?
A line within Igora Royal for mature hair, with a Pro-Age-Complex and Low Odour Technology, up to 30% more dye stuff and up to 100% white coverage — strong on more than 90% white with 6–9% developer.
Is Schwarzkopf Igora professional only?
Yes. Igora is a professional salon range for trained colourists. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and complete an allergy alert test before every service.
Stocking up
Igora Royal earns its place on the colour bar as a complete, dependable permanent system — intense High Definition colour, reliable white coverage and a logical shade range. Browse the full Igora Royal range — colour, Highlifts, Absolutes, Vario Blond lighteners and Oil Developers — in our colour section, with trade pricing and fast UK delivery as standard. For mixing ratios across the brands, see our how to mix hair colour guide.
Professional use only. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and complete the recommended allergy alert test before every application.
Written by Charlotte Read, Content Writer at Hairco & Beauty. Charlotte has over six years' experience in professional hair and beauty, and our guides are informed by colleagues with 100+ years of combined salon experience and by insight from the trade customers we supply. More about our content.
