Toning dye is a hair product used to neutralize unwanted colors or undertones in previously colored hair. It helps refine and perfect the final shade, achieving a more even and desirable result.
Understanding Toning Dye
Toning dyes aren't like traditional hair dyes that dramatically change your hair color. Instead, they subtly adjust the existing color. Think of them as fine-tuning your hair's shade rather than a complete overhaul. They work by depositing very subtle color pigments that counteract brassiness (yellow or orange tones), redness, or other unwanted undertones that can appear in bleached or color-treated hair.
Types of Toning Products
Toning products come in various forms, each offering a slightly different approach:
- Toning Shampoos: These are gentle and ideal for maintenance, subtly neutralizing unwanted tones with each wash.
- Toning Conditioners: Similar to toning shampoos, but generally provide more conditioning benefits.
- Toning Treatments: These offer more intense color correction than shampoos or conditioners and are often used to address more significant color issues.
- Tinted Hair Gloss: These provide a temporary sheen and subtle color correction, often used to add shine and refresh color between more intense treatments.
Why Use Toning Dye?
Several reasons might lead you to use a toning dye:
- Neutralize unwanted undertones: This is the primary purpose – to correct brassiness, orange, or reddish hues that can develop after bleaching or coloring.
- Enhance hair color: By neutralizing unwanted tones, toning dye can make your hair color appear richer, more vibrant, and more consistent.
- Refresh color: Between full hair color applications, a toning treatment can help refresh and revitalize your existing color.
The term hair toner refers to any product designed to help neutralize unwanted undertones in color-treated hair. These products can come in many forms, such as toning shampoos, conditioners, treatments, and tinted hair glosses.