Pravana sells one developer. It comes in five options, and choosing between them is the single most consequential decision in a Pravana colour service — more consequential than the shade, because the volume decides whether the shade can land at all.
Pravana ChromaSilk Creme Developer, $17.99, in Zero Lift, 10, 20, 30 and 40 volume. It is formulated with bonding technology, so it does more than set the lift. Against the previous formula, Pravana's own comparison is specific: the same lift level and the same deposit, but hair that comes out softer, easier to comb and with more shine.
What volume actually means
Volume is the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the developer, and it governs two things at once: how far the natural pigment is lifted, and how far the cuticle opens so the colour can go in. Higher volume is not "stronger colour" — it is more lift and more open cuticle. Pushing the volume up to force a result you should have got from the shade is how hair gets damaged and how tone goes wrong.
The five, and what each is for
Zero Lift — the one to know
No lift at all. Its job is to turn a permanent ChromaSilk shade into a deposit-only demi. That single property means one tube of permanent colour can serve two entirely different services: a full permanent with 20 volume, or a no-lift toning and refresh service with Zero Lift.
Use it for: refreshing faded mid-lengths, depositing tone without another oxidative lift, and getting more out of the shades already on your shelf.
10 volume — minimal lift, maximum deposit
About one level of lift. Use it when you are going darker or staying at level, and you want the richest, most saturated deposit the shade can give. Also the right choice on fragile or already over-processed hair where any unnecessary lift is a cost.
Use it for: going darker, tone-on-tone work, compromised hair.
20 volume — the standard
Roughly one to two levels of lift, and the volume most single-process services run on. It is the standard pairing for grey coverage with ChromaSilk Permanent, because grey needs enough cuticle opening to accept a full dye load. It is also the on-scalp ceiling for all three PURE LIGHT lighteners.
Use it for: grey coverage, standard single-process, and any on-scalp lightening.
30 volume — real lift
About three levels. This is where you go when the service genuinely needs to lift — high-lift work, off-scalp lightening that needs to move faster than 20 volume will, and the darker end of the HI LIFTS range.
Use it for: HI LIFTS on a dark base, off-scalp lightening, lifting fashion shades.
40 volume — maximum lift, off-scalp only
Around four levels, and the off-scalp ceiling for the PURE LIGHT lighteners. It is not a general-purpose developer. Use it where the service is off the scalp and the lift requirement is genuinely at the top of the range — and accept that it is the most demanding option on the hair.
Use it for: off-scalp lightening to the highest levels, maximum-lift HI LIFTS work.
Quick reference
| Service | Volume |
|---|---|
| Permanent shade used as a deposit-only demi | Zero Lift |
| Going darker / tone-on-tone / fragile hair | 10 |
| Grey coverage, standard single-process | 20 |
| Any lightener applied on the scalp | 20 (ceiling) |
| HI LIFTS on a dark base | 30–40 |
| Off-scalp lightening | up to 40 (ceiling) |
| VIVIDS or VIVIDS Neons | none — direct dye, no developer |
Mixing ratios
- ChromaSilk Permanent — 1:1.5. One 3 oz tube yields 7.5 oz of working product.
- Pure Light 9-Level Lightening Cream — 1:2.
- VIVIDS / Neons — no mixing. Straight from the tub.
Ratios measured by eye are a different formula every time. The ChromaSilk Digital Scale, $39.59, is the accessory that changes results rather than convenience — and it is the reason two applications of the same shade come out the same colour.
Three things people get wrong
Using 30 or 40 volume to fix a shade that is not lifting. If the hair will not get there, it needs a lightener, not a hotter developer. Pushing volume costs condition and rarely buys the level.
Going above 20 volume on the scalp with a lightener. 20 is the on-scalp ceiling for all three PURE LIGHT products. It is a limit, not a guideline.
Not owning Zero Lift. It is the same $17.99 as the rest, and it effectively doubles what the permanent shades on your shelf can do.
Bottom line
One developer, five options, and the volume is decided by the service rather than by the shade. If you are buying your first two Pravana items, buy 20 volume and Zero Lift. Between them they cover grey coverage, single-process, on-scalp lightening and every deposit-only service the permanent range can do.