What is Hair Toner?
Hair toner is a product used to refine and adjust the tone of your hair color. It's most effective on lightened or bleached hair, neutralizing unwanted brassy or yellow undertones. Unlike permanent dyes, toner doesn't significantly lighten or darken the overall hair color but subtly alters its shade. Think of it as a fine-tuning tool for your existing hair color.
Toner works by depositing subtle color pigments onto the hair shaft, counteracting undesirable tones. For example, purple toner neutralizes yellow tones, creating a more balanced and natural-looking blonde. The process doesn't lift the existing color, making it ideal for achieving a more precise and controlled shade.
What Hair Toner Addresses:
- Brassy tones: After bleaching or lightening, hair can often develop unwanted warm or yellow hues. Toners effectively neutralize these brassy tones. (Schwarzkopf, L'Oréal Paris, L'Oréal Professionnel)
- Unwanted undertones: Hair has underlying pigments (undertones) that can influence the final color. Toners help balance these undertones for a more even and desirable shade. (L'Oréal Paris, Harper's Bazaar)
- Color correction: Toners can help correct minor color inconsistencies or off-tones after a coloring session. (Reddit r/Haircare, Reddit r/HaircareScience)
Types of Hair Toners:
Hair toners are typically categorized by their permanence:
- Demi-permanent: These contain minimal to no ammonia, and gradually fade with washing. (Glamot)
- Semi-permanent: Similar to demi-permanent, but may offer slightly more lasting results. (Reddit r/HaircareScience)
When to Use Hair Toner:
Hair toner is commonly used:
- After bleaching: To eliminate brassiness and achieve a desired shade of blonde or other light colors. (Schwarzkopf, Madison Reed)
- After coloring: To refine and correct the final shade of color-treated hair. (Reddit r/Haircare)
- To refresh color: To enhance and revitalize the tone of your hair color over time. (Elle)
Remember, toner is a subtle tool for color refinement. For significant changes in color, a permanent dye should be used instead. (Quora)
