What impact do primary and secondary colors have when combined?

When primary and secondary colors are combined, they create neutral colors. This occurs because secondary colors are formed by mixing two primary colors. For example, when you mix blue (primary) and yellow (primary), you get green (secondary). If green is mixed with red (the opposite primary color), the result will be a neutral or muted tone, effectively neutralizing the brightness of the original colors.

Combining colors in such a way can lead to more subdued shades, often referred to as earth tones. Neutral colors are essential in color theory as they provide balance and can help to soften or enhance more vibrant colors in a color palette. This understanding is particularly important in hair coloring, allowing a stylist to achieve desired looks or corrections in color blend by manipulating primary and secondary colors.