You’ve seen the "bleach fail" videos. Someone sits in a chair, wants to be platinum, and leaves with hair that feels like wet noodles or, worse, snaps off at the root. It’s scary. But there is a middle ground that most people—and even some stylists—overlook because they’re so used to reaching for the lightener tub. We're talking about Matrix high lift color. It’s basically the powerhouse of the professional color world. It’s not bleach. It’s not your standard permanent dye. It’s this weird, cool hybrid that lifts and tones at the same time, saving you a massive amount of time and, honestly, saving your hair's structural integrity.
Most people think you have to choose between "natural brown" and "fried blonde." That's just wrong.
High lift series are designed for people who want to be blonde but don't want the aggressive chemical process of decolorization. If you’re starting with a natural base that isn't super dark—think "dishwater blonde" or light brown—this stuff is a game-changer. Matrix, specifically through their SoColor line, has refined this to a point where you can get up to five levels of lift. That is significant. You aren't just shifting the tone; you're fundamentally changing the lightness of the hair while the conditioning agents are still active. It’s a one-step process. One. No more sitting for a 45-minute bleach application followed by a 20-minute toner.
The Chemistry That Makes Matrix High Lift Color Different
Why does this work differently than the box dye you see at the drugstore? Ammonia. Or, more accurately, the specific concentration and balance of ammonia and boosters. Standard permanent color has enough ammonia to open the cuticle and shove some pigment in. Matrix high lift color has a higher concentration. This allows it to blast through the natural melanin in your hair more effectively.
But wait.
The secret isn't just the "blast." It’s the oil-in-cream delivery system. Matrix uses a Cera-Oil Conditioning Complex. While the ammonia is doing the heavy lifting (literally), the ceramides and hexametrine are trying to patch the holes in your hair's cortex. It’s like Renovating a house while the construction crew is still inside. You’re tearing down the old walls (the pigment) but immediately putting up New, stronger supports.
You also have to use a higher volume developer. We are talking 30 or 40 volume. In any other context, 40 volume sounds terrifying. It sounds like a recipe for a chemical burn. However, because high lift color is formulated with a heavy "buffer," the 40 volume works slower and more predictably than it would if you mixed it with raw bleach powder. It’s controlled. It’s precise.
📖 Related: What Does a Stoner Mean? Why the Answer Is Changing in 2026
Who Is This Actually For?
Let's be real: this isn't for everyone. If you have jet-black hair (Level 1 or 2), do not use this. You will end up orange. Bright, hunter-safety-vest orange. There is no way around that. Physics and chemistry won't allow it.
The "sweet spot" for Matrix high lift color is someone with a natural level 5, 6, or 7.
- Level 5 is a medium brown.
- Level 7 is that dark, mousy blonde.
If you are in that range, a high lift can get you to a beautiful, shimmering champagne or a cool ash blonde without the "raw" look that bleach often leaves behind. Bleach strips everything. It leaves the hair "naked." High lift color leaves some of the underlying warmth but replaces the rest with sophisticated pigments.
It’s also great for "breaking the base." If you get highlights but hate the harsh line of regrowth, your stylist can use a Matrix high lift to quickly soften your natural roots. It blurs the line. It makes the transition look expensive rather than neglected.
Avoiding the "Hot Root" Nightmare
We’ve all seen it. The hair is dark on the ends and glowing bright yellow at the scalp. This happens because the heat from your head makes the color process faster at the roots. When using Matrix high lift color, you have to be tactical.
If you’re doing a virgin application—meaning your hair has never been colored—you don't start at the scalp. You start an inch away, do the mid-lengths and ends, and then go back and do the roots last. This sounds counterintuitive. It’s extra work. But it is the only way to ensure an even tone from top to bottom.
👉 See also: Am I Gay Buzzfeed Quizzes and the Quest for Identity Online
Why the "UL" Series Matters
Matrix categorizes these under the "UL" (Ultra Lift) labels. You’ll see codes like UL-IA (Intense Ash) or UL-VV (Violet Violet). These aren't just random letters. They are your insurance policy against brassiness.
- UL-V+: Use this if you tend to pull very yellow. The violet cancels the yellow.
- UL-A+: Use this if you see orange in your hair the second you step into the sun. The ash (blue/green base) kills the copper.
- UL-N: This is for the "Natural" look. It’s for people who want that sun-kissed, Gisele Bündchen vibe without looking like they tried too hard.
Real Talk: The Damage Factor
Is it damage-free? No. Let's not lie to ourselves. Anytime you are lifting the hair five levels, you are altering the disulfide bonds. You are putting the hair under stress. However, compared to a double-process bleach and tone, Matrix high lift color is significantly "kinder."
Because it’s one step, the hair spends less time at a high pH level. The cuticles aren't being forced open and shut repeatedly. If you use a pH-balanced sealer afterward—like the Matrix Total Results Color Obsessed line—you can effectively "lock" the cuticle back down much faster than you could with traditional lightening methods.
Maintenance and the "Purple Shampoo" Trap
Once you get that perfect shade with a high lift, people tend to overdo it with the purple shampoo. Don't.
Matrix high lift color is designed to be translucent and luminous. If you hit it with heavy violet pigment every single day, you’ll dull the shine. The hair will start to look "inked" and flat. Instead, use a sulfate-free shampoo and save the toning masks for once every two weeks. You want to preserve the "lift" part of the color.
Common Misconceptions
People think high lift can lift "color on top of color." It cannot. This is the biggest mistake made in home bathrooms and even some salons. If you have dyed your hair dark brown and you put Matrix UL-N on top of it, nothing will happen. Maybe your roots will turn bright blonde, but the brown ends will stay exactly the same. Color does not lift color. You must have "virgin" (unprocessed) hair for high lift to work its magic.
✨ Don't miss: Easy recipes dinner for two: Why you are probably overcomplicating date night
Actionable Steps for the Best Results
If you're ready to try this, don't just wing it. There’s a process to getting that "expensive blonde" look.
First, identify your starting level. Be honest. Hold your hair up to a chart. If you're a level 4 or darker, put the tube down and call a professional for a traditional balayage.
Second, mix it right. Matrix usually recommends a 1:2 ratio. That means one part color to two parts developer. If you eyeball this, you're asking for splotches. Use a digital scale. Precision is the difference between a "salon finish" and a "bathroom disaster."
Third, timing is everything. Most high lifts need a full 50 minutes to process. If you get scared and wash it off at 30 minutes, you will be orange. The first 20 minutes are for lifting; the last 30 are for the toning pigments to actually settle into the hair. You have to trust the process.
Finally, do a strand test. Take a small piece of hair from the nape of your neck and see how it reacts. It takes ten minutes and can save you months of hair-regret.
Matrix high lift color remains one of the most underrated tools in the hair world. It offers a level of sophistication and hair health that bleach simply can't match for the right candidate. It’s about working smarter, not harder, with your hair chemistry.
Next Steps for Your Hair Journey
- Perform a "pinch test" to check your hair's current elasticity; if it snaps easily, wait a month and do protein treatments before using any high lift product.
- Purchase a dedicated 40-volume cream developer from the same brand to ensure the pH levels are perfectly synced.
- Map out your sectioning before you mix the bowl; high lift starts working the moment it hits the air, so you need to apply it quickly and evenly to avoid "banding."
- After rinsing, use a cold-water rinse to help the cuticle lay flat and maximize the shine of the new pigment.