In color terms, tone refers to which attribute?

• A. Hue
• B. Coolness or warmth of a color
• C. Brightness
• D. Saturation

Answer: (B)

Tone is about the color’s temperature—whether it reads as cool or warm. This describes how a color feels in terms of temperature, not the exact color family itself. It’s different from hue, which names the basic color (red, blue, etc.); from brightness, which is how light or dark the color is; and from saturation, which is how vivid or dull the color appears. In practical terms for barber and color work, knowing the tone helps you choose formulas that counteract unwanted undertones (a cool ash can mute warmth, a warm gold can enhance warmth). This is why tone is described as the coolness or warmth of a color.