What is the key difference between primary and secondary colors?

The key distinction between primary and secondary colors lies in the fact that primary colors serve as the fundamental building blocks of color mixing. Primary colors are unique because they cannot be created by mixing other colors together. Instead, they are the base colors, from which all other colors can be derived. This makes them essential in color theory and application.

In contrast, secondary colors are the result of mixing two primary colors together. For example, mixing red and blue creates purple, which is a secondary color. This relationship illustrates how primary colors are foundational, enabling the creation of secondary colors through combination.

Understanding this relationship is crucial for professionals in cosmetology, as color mixing plays a significant role in services like hair dyeing, makeup application, and nail design. It allows cosmetologists to achieve a wide variety of shades and hues by knowing how to effectively mix primary colors to create the desired outcome.