What term is used to describe the lowest degree of lift in natural hair color?

The term that describes the lowest degree of lift in natural hair color is "bumping the base." This technique involves slightly lightening the root area or darker base color of the hair to create a more seamless blend when applying lighter shades or highlights. It typically allows for a subtle increase in lift without drastically altering the overall color, effectively softening the contrast between the scalp and the lengths of the hair.

In contrast, terms like buffer zone generally refer to an area between different hair color applications that helps prevent harsh lines, brassy tones indicate unwanted warm shades that can result from lightening processes, and bleeding pertains to color running or mixing inappropriately during application. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for effective color application and achieving the desired look in hair coloring.