To tone hair after bleaching, use a purple or blue shampoo. This will neutralize unwanted brassy tones, revealing a cooler blonde or light brown shade.
Understanding Toning
When you bleach hair, you remove its natural pigment. This often leads to unwanted yellow or orange tones, commonly referred to as "brassy." Toning helps to counteract these warm tones and achieve your desired color.
How Toning Shampoo Works
- Color Theory: Purple and blue are opposite to yellow and orange on the color wheel. This means they can neutralize these colors.
- Pigment Deposits: Toning shampoos contain small amounts of these blue or purple pigments.
- Neutralization: When used, these pigments deposit onto the hair shaft, counteracting the brassy tones.
Choosing the Right Shampoo
The key to effective toning is selecting the correct color shampoo for your hair:
| Hair Color Before Bleaching | Toning Shampoo Color | Resulting Tone |
|---|---|---|
| Light Yellow/Pale Blonde | Purple | Cooler Blonde |
| Orange/Darker Yellow | Blue | Ashy Blonde/Light Brown |
How to Use Toning Shampoo:
- Wet Hair: Start with wet hair, just like you would with a regular shampoo.
- Apply Toning Shampoo: Use a generous amount of your chosen toning shampoo and apply evenly from roots to ends.
- Lather: Gently massage the shampoo into your hair to ensure it's evenly distributed.
- Wait: Let the shampoo sit in your hair for 2-5 minutes. This allows the pigments to deposit.
- Note: For very brassy hair, you might leave it in slightly longer, but avoid leaving it for too long to prevent unwanted blue or purple tints.
- Rinse: Rinse your hair thoroughly with lukewarm or cool water until all the shampoo is gone.
- Condition: Use a moisturizing conditioner after rinsing as toning shampoos can be slightly drying.
- Repeat: Use your toning shampoo 1-2 times per week to maintain your desired tone.
Important Considerations:
- Starting Color: The effectiveness of toning shampoos depends on the existing color after bleaching.
- Frequency: Overuse can lead to overly cool or ashy tones, so use judiciously.
- Patch Test: If using a new brand, always do a patch test to ensure you're happy with the results.
By carefully choosing and using purple or blue shampoo, you can effectively tone your hair after bleaching and achieve your perfect cooler tone.
