Choosing the right hair toner depends on your current hair color, desired outcome, and hair type. This guide helps you select the perfect toner for your needs.
Understanding Hair Toner
Hair toner is a semi-permanent color used to neutralize unwanted tones or add subtle color enhancements to lightened or highlighted hair. It's not a drastic color change like traditional hair dye; instead, it refines and adjusts your hair's overall shade.
Choosing the Right Toner Based on Undertone
The most effective way to choose a hair toner is by considering your hair's undertones. These are the subtle colors beneath the surface of your hair. Toner works by neutralizing these undertones, resulting in a more even and desirable final color.
- Yellow or Brassy Tones: To counteract yellow or brassy tones in blonde or lightened hair, a violet or blue toner is ideal. [Reference 1]
- Warm Golden Tones: If you want to add warmth and golden highlights to blonde or light brown hair, a gold toner is the best choice. [Reference 2]
- Cool, Ashy Tones: For cooler, ashier tones in blonde or lightened hair, use an ash toner. [Reference 3]
Using a color wheel can assist in understanding which toner color will neutralize unwanted undertones. For example, purple neutralizes yellow, and blue neutralizes orange.
Considering Your Desired Outcome
Before selecting a toner, clarify your desired outcome. Do you want to:
- Neutralize brassiness? Choose violet or blue toners.
- Enhance warmth? Choose gold toners.
- Achieve an ashy effect? Choose ash toners.
- Tone down highlights? Choose a toner slightly darker than your desired final shade.
Important Considerations
- Hair Type: Fine or damaged hair might require a gentler toner formulation. Always consult with a professional stylist if you have concerns.
- Professional vs. At-Home: While at-home toners are available, professional application is recommended for consistent and accurate results, especially for complex color corrections.
- Developer Strength: For demi-permanent toners, using a developer of 1.9%/6V or 3%/10V will usually suffice depending on the intensity you want to achieve. [Sally Beauty reference]
- Patch Test: Before applying any toner to your entire head, perform a patch test on a small, hidden area to check for allergic reactions.
Remember that toners are semi-permanent and will gradually fade. Regular touch-ups may be needed to maintain the desired tone.
