Matrix SoColor 10 Minute 505NA Permanent Hair Color & Developer Packet Hair Dye

What It Is

• Matrix SoColor 10 Minute Pre‑Bonded Permanent Hair Color: A professional permanent hair color line designed to give 100% gray coverage in just 10 minutes.

• Shade 505NA: This is a “Neutral Ash” level shade (level 5 neutral + ash/blue-green neutral tone). The “NA” stands for Neutral Ash. It gives a mid‑brown or medium brown with cool/neutral ash tones. Sometimes “505 N A” etc.

• 20 Volume (6%) Developer: The oxidizing agent used with this color formula. It’s the recommended strength for this product. You need 20 vol developer for proper processing and full gray coverage in the 10‑minute time frame.

Key Features

• Pre‑bonded cream formula: Designed to protect the inner structure of the hair (especially helpful if the hair is weak or has less melanin, e.g. lots of gray) by reinforcing bonds.

• Color + developer in every pouch (packet): Portable, pre‑measured. Makes mixing super easy and precise.

• Covers 100% of grays in 10 minutes. That’s the big selling point.

• Has a 5‑minute buffer window (10‑15 minutes) to help guard against over‑processing. So if you leave it on a little long (but not too long), there’s some leeway.

What’s in It (Ingredients & Compatibility)

From available listing of the 505NA packet:

Some key ingredients include:

• Aqua / Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Deceth‑3, Propylene Glycol, Laureth‑12, Oleth‑30

• Ammonium Hydroxide (to open cuticle and enable color penetration)

• Various dye intermediates: p‑Phenylenediamine, m‑Aminophenol, etc. Used to build up permanent color molecules.

• Conditioning / bonding agents: e.g. Polyquaternium‑22, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, others to help protect hair structure.

• Fragrance, preservatives, etc.

Compatibility:

• It’s for professional use only. Not generally sold for home use (though some salons might allow clients to take it).

• Do not mix with other SoColor lines that are not in the Pre‑Bonded 10‑Minute line (e.g. Extra Coverage, Ultra Blonde, etc.).

• You must use the 20 Volume developer (6%) that is matched to it. Using weaker or stronger could affect results (coverage, damage, tone).

How to Use It

Step‑by‑step:

1. Wear gloves. Avoid metallic tools.

2. Mix the color pouch + developer pouch as provided (they’re pre‑measured). Some pouches come inside a buffer or a shaker style but instructions will indicate how to open/mix.

3. Apply to dry hair at room temperature. Make sure all hair (roots + previously colored) is saturated.

4. Leave on for 10 minutes. That’s the main processing time.

5. If you leave on longer (up to 15 minutes), you enter the “buffer window” where there is increased risk of over‑processing but still some safety margin.

6. After time is up (or buffer if used), rinse thoroughly. Shampoo & condition as usual (salon products often recommend color‑safe shampoos).

Pros vs. Cons

Pros:

• Fast results: great if you want full gray coverage without waiting 35‑45 minutes. Great for busy salons or clients short on time.

• The pre‑bonded formula helps protect hair integrity, especially on grays or damaged hair.

• Neutral ash tone tends to be more “natural” or cooler, good to counter brassiness.

• Convenience of pre‑measured packets reduces waste and mixing errors.

Cons / Things to Watch Out For:

• Gray hair sometimes is more resistant, so coverage might still vary depending on hair condition. While the product claims 100%, real‑world may vary.

• The ash/cool tones can turn greenish if used over porous or lightened hair (e.g., if hair was lightened previously and then you apply ash tone without prepping).

• The buffer window helps but leaving on too long risks over‑processing (damage, breakage, too much penetration).

• Because it’s a 20 vol developer, there’s some lift / cuticle opening—if hair is already weakened, risk of damage is higher.

• Ash/cool tones tend to fade faster or show warmth sooner; maintenance may be needed (toning, purple/blue shampoos).

Specific Shade: 505NA

• Level 5: a medium brown; not too dark, not too light.

• Neutral Ash (NA): cool/neutral balance with ash (blue‑green) undertones.

• Shade will appear more as a cool/medium brown, especially on natural level 5 or darker, or over grays. On lighter or porous hair, might pull more ash or slightly greenish if the underlying pigment isn’t balanced.

Safety / Precautions

• Always do an allergy patch test before using (typically 48 hours prior) since permanent colors have PPDs and other potential irritants.

• Don’t use on hair that is heavily chemically processed (e.g. perms, relaxers, recent lightening) without assessing damage; wait recommended times between chemical services (some manufacturers suggest waiting 14 days after relaxers etc.).

• Wear gloves. Avoid contact with skin (beyond safe contact) and eyes. If color gets in eyes, rinse immediately.

• Use the correct developer strength (20 vol). Don’t dilute or mix with stronger unless it’s under professional guidance.

What to Expect / Results

• Expect full gray coverage (though results can depend on how resistant the gray is).

• Color tone: medium neutral/ash brown, cooler in undertone; less warmth.

• Shine and bond protection thanks to pre‑bonded formula.

• Fade over time: ash tones may dull, fade, or show warmer tones underneath. Proper aftercare (color‑safe products, less heat) helps preserve it.