Final answer:
The tonal family in Shades EQ that assists in blending gray hair involves using complementary tones to the natural hair color, creating subtle gradations to cover grays naturally. Understanding simultaneous contrast and the value of colors is critical in achieving seamless blending.
Step-by-step explanation:
The tonal family in Shades EQ that helps blend gray typically involves using tones that mimic the natural hair color and subtly cover the gray hair, creating a harmonious transition. When discussing tone, it refers to the gradation or subtle changes made to a color when mixed with gray, resulting in various tones. This principle is apparent when artists create gradation of color for shading or highlighting in painting, as they add black or white to change the original color's value.
Understanding how value works is essential for blending gray hair because adding lighter or darker tones can help create a natural-looking effect. The use of complementary colors can intensify the appearance of colors. As such, a colorist might choose a tonal family opposite to the original hair color on the color wheel to neutralize and subtly blend the grays. It is crucial to also consider simultaneous contrast, where neutral tones can appear tinted toward the complement of the surrounding colors. This understanding can assist in selecting the right shades to ensure grays blend seamlessly with the rest of the hair.