Yes, you can tone your virgin hair. However, the results and methods will vary depending on your hair's natural color and your desired outcome.
Understanding Hair Toner
Hair toner is a semi-permanent color that subtly alters your hair's tone, not its overall lightness or darkness. It's best used to neutralize unwanted brassiness or yellow tones, often seen in bleached or highlighted hair. However, toners can also help diminish unwanted tones in virgin hair. For example, purple shampoo (a type of toner) can reduce orange tones in naturally blonde hair. [1, 10] It also adds shine and gloss. [1]
Toning Virgin Hair: What to Expect
- Subtle Changes: On virgin hair, toner will produce more subtle changes compared to pre-lightened hair. You won't drastically alter your base color. [4, 6]
- Level Matters: Using a toner that's too dark will likely not affect your natural hair color noticeably. [2] A lighter toner, used with a low developer, is more likely to produce a subtle change. [2]
- Not a Lightener: Toner does not lighten your hair. It deposits color to neutralize existing tones. [6, 7] Attempting to significantly lighten virgin hair with a toner alone likely won't work. [4, 9]
- Specific Purposes: For example, a violet-based toner can neutralize yellow tones in naturally blonde hair, resulting in a cooler blonde. [8] Or, a toner might enhance an ashier hue, but the results depend on your starting hair color and the chosen toner shade. [3]
Examples of Toning Virgin Hair
- Blonde Hair: A purple shampoo can counteract brassy or orange tones, leaving your hair brighter and more vibrant. [1, 10]
- Darker Hair: While noticeable changes are less likely, a toner may still add a subtle shift in undertones. The effect might be minimal or nearly undetectable, depending on your natural color and the toner selected. [4, 5]
In summary, toning can work on virgin hair, offering subtle adjustments in tone and shine. However, dramatic color changes are unlikely. The success depends on your hair's natural color and the carefully chosen toner and developer.
