WHY IS KEVIN.MURPHY VENTURING INTO THE WORLD OF AMMONIA-BASED COLOUR WITH THE LAUNCH OF CODE?
At KEVIN.MURPHY, our mission has always been to be the ultimate partner for colourists. That's why we set out to complete our toolkit with an ammonia-based colour that not only offers choice and innovation but also provides a comprehensive solution for every colourist, regardless of their preferences. Having discovered an innovative technology inspired by skincare and developed a formula that perfectly aligns with our commitment to delivering high-performing products that care for both hair and the environment, we are now fully prepared to launch CODE, our new ammonia colour.

WHAT KIND OF COLOUR RESULTS DOES CODE OFFER & HOW DO THESE DIFFER FROM THE OTHER KEVIN.MURPHY COLOUR RANGES?
Each colour line has distinct characteristics that work together harmoniously to create a complete and balanced colour range. These lines are designed to be unique from each other and high-performing, making them ideal for all salons. CODE, our permanent colour, utilises skincare-inspired technology to deliver rich, illuminated modern colour that appears lit from within. COLOR.ME is an ammonia-free permanent colour, crafted with naturally derived ingredients, perfect for clients who prioritise gentle formulation. COLOR.ME GLOSS is a demi-permanent acidic colour that offers luminous, shiny colours while strengthening the hair. It is ideal for finishing and refining all hair types.

WHAT IS THE REASON BEHIND THE IMPROVEMENT OF COLOUR EVENNESS?
The KM.LAMELLAR technology enhances the precision of pigment delivery. Combined with an ANTI-METAL AGENT, which neutralises metals typically found in the hair that can interfere with the colouring process, this improves the reliability and evenness of the colour results.

HOW IS THE IMPROVEMENT IN COLOUR INTENSITY ACHIEVED?
The advanced delivery system created by the KM.LAMELLAR technology offers an improved pigment delivery. When combined with the action of the repairing oil, which helps to seal the hair fibre, the cuticle becomes smoother and enhances colour reflection, resulting in increased colour vibrancy and intensity. In addition, the COLOUR.IGNITE COMPLEX, present in certain CODE SHADES and made of highly reflective colour molecules, enhances colour brightness and longevity.

WHAT MAKES THE COLOUR DURABILITY INCREASE?
The Argan Oil nourishes, revitalises, and helps seal the hair fibre, improving the hair quality and helping to lock the colour inside for better colour retention and durability. In addition, the COLOUR.IGNITE COMPLEX, present in certain CODE SHADES, can effectively lock the dyes inside the hair fibre thanks to the positive charge of its molecules that seamlessly glues to the negative charge of the hair fibre, resulting in longer-lasting colour.

WHAT MAKES THE SHINE & REPAIR IMPROVE ON HAIR COLOURED WITH CODE?
The organic Argan Oil nourishes, revitalises, and helps to seal the hair fibre. This action, powered by KM.LAMELLAR technology, improves the delivery precision of the caring actives through the hair strand, resulting in enhanced hair quality after the colour service.

WHAT IS KM.LAMELLAR TECHNOLOGY?
KM.LAMELLAR technology is a ground-breaking technology inspired by advanced skincare delivery systems. It is designed to improve the delivery of dye and the care properties of colour formulations, ensuring more precise, consistent, and effective results, regardless of the client's hair needs.

WHY IS IT CALLED KM.LAMELLAR TECHNOLOGY?
The word "Lamellas" means layers. Inside the formula, fine and alternating layers (Lamellas) are found around oil droplets forming an innovative emulsion arrangement where dyes, repairing actives, and a powerful anti-metal agent are also present. This is an innovative and exclusive emulsion that improves the homogeneity of the application while improving the precision and release control of dyes and care actives through the hair strand, regardless of the different needs this hair strand may have.

DOES CODE HAVE THE OXIDATION DELAY FUNCTION?
CODE does not have COLOR.ME oxidation delay function. Instead, CODE is powered by the exclusive KM.LAMELLAR technology, a ground-breaking technology designed to improve the delivery of dye and the care properties of colour formulations. This technology ensures more precise delivery of dyes and a more controlled release of them to achieve consistent and even colour results, regardless of the different needs of the hair strands.

WHAT IS THE ANTI-METAL AGENT & WHY IS IT BENEFICIAL?
The anti-metal agent present in CODE formula is a chelating molecule that binds tightly to metal ions and neutralises them.

HOW DOES IT WORK? As the hair is exposed to external agents (water, pollution, etc.), it starts accumulating metals. These metals, present in the hair, interact with the pigments during the colour service, modifying the colour outcome. This chelating agent binds with metals present in the hair, neutralising them and leaving a perfect, clean canvas ready to be coloured.

THE RESULTS: Improved reliability in achieving the desired final colour. Enhanced colour evenness.

WHICH ALKALISER IS IN CODE SHADES?
CODE SHADES are formulated with ammonia in order to enhance the lifting power, grey coverage, and colour intensity of this colour range.

IS AMMONIA A GOOD ALKALISER OPTION?
Ammonia has been safely used in hair colourants for over 50 years due to its enhanced lifting power. When applied on the hair, it can easily penetrate the cuticle and lift the natural depth (up to 4–5 levels). After acting in the hair, ammonia easily evaporates, leaving the hair conditioned and resulting in healthy-looking hair with vibrant shine. KM.LAMELLAR technology combines the alkaliser lifting power with the perfect delivery of caring actives through the hair to achieve optimum hair quality after the colour service.

ARE CODE SHADES PPD-FREE?
PPD stands for Paraphenylenediamine or p-Phenylenediamine. None of our CODE SHADES contain PPD, but a related ingredient, N,N-Bis (2-Hydroxyethyl)-p-Phenylenediamine Sulfate. Following colour guidelines, colourists must always perform an allergy test 48 hours before each colouration. To find out which shades contain this ingredient, look at the ingredient list on the product packaging.

ARE CODE SHADES RESORCINOL-FREE?
Some CODE shades contain resorcinol. Resorcinol is a base molecule essential for some colour formulations, as it provides better coverage (pigment). Other coupling molecules are needed for reflect. When resorcinol is present, it's crucial because a colour without both PPD and resorcinol would offer less coverage on grey hair.

WHAT IS THE pH LEVEL OF CODE?
The pH level helps to open the cuticle layer so the colour can achieve its end goal. For this reason, the SHADES in CODE will have a pH level on the alkaline side of the scale, although this alkalinity will vary depending on the SHADE and will change when mixed with KEVIN.MURPHY Activators.

NOTE: When discussing pH in a class format, we advise not to discuss exact pH numbers as this makes colourists compare pH levels with other brands.

DOES CODE CONTAIN COBALT?
Cobalt is not an intentionally added ingredient. All SHADES (and any product with colourants or dyes) could potentially have trace metals present. If present, they are far below the safety limits.

IS CODE NUT FREE?
Yes, it's not nut-free. The SHADES formulas contain Argan Oil which comes from the nut of the Argan Tree. Argan is not included in the common food allergy "tree nuts," but following colour guidelines, colourists must always perform an allergy test 48 hours before each colouration.

IS CODE COLOUR SERVICE VEGAN?
Yes, CODE SHADES and KEVIN.MURPHY ACTIVATORS both have vegan formulas, providing a 100% vegan colour service.

HAS CODE BEEN TESTED ON ANIMALS?
No, CODE is not tested on animals. Our products are "people tested" but not tested on animals. We neither conduct nor commission tests on animals for our products, formulations, or ingredients anywhere in the world. Since 2011, we have been certified according to the standard of one of the largest animal rights organizations in the world, People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), and are one of their recommended "Animal Test-Free" companies.

CAN CODE SHADES BE MIXED WITH COLOR.ME SHADES?
No, they cannot be mixed together as they are completely different formulas and are not compatible.

CAN CODE SHADES BE MIXED WITH COLOR.ME GLOSS SHADES?
No, they are different colour brands with different technologies. However, CODE and COLOR.ME GLOSS make perfect complementary colour service companions when arranged side-by-side in the salon.

DOES REDUCING THE DEVELOPMENT TIME AFFECT COLOUR RESULT?
For the best durability and intensity of colour, follow instructions and develop for the recommended development time. However, development time can be reduced by 30% when using moderate heat.

DOES ADDING HEAT REDUCE DEVELOPMENT TIME?
Moderate heat can be used to reduce listed development times on the Usage Guide by 30%.

CAN CODE BE MIXED WITH BOND TREATMENTS?
We recommend following the CODE instructions and not mixing anything into your formula. If a bond-building treatment is required, we recommend following with a COLOR.ME GLOSS service. On sensitised or highly sensitised hair, we would also recommend utilising EVERLASTING.COLOUR LEAVE-IN as a porosity equaliser prior to your service.