A toning gloss is a hair treatment that enhances your hair's appearance by adding shine, conditioning, and subtly altering the color. Unlike a permanent dye, it deposits a small amount of color, making it ideal for refreshing existing color, neutralizing brassiness (unwanted yellow or orange tones, especially in bleached hair), or adding a subtle color boost. It's a gentler option than traditional hair dye and is often ammonia-free and vegan.
What Makes a Toning Gloss Different?
Several sources describe hair glosses and toners, highlighting their key differences and similarities:
- Shine and Condition: A primary function of a toning gloss is to add shine and condition the hair. This is true regardless of whether it's tinted or untinted. ([L'Oréal Paris], [Society Salons])
- Subtle Color Correction: Tinted glosses provide a subtle wash of color. This helps enhance your existing hair color and neutralize brassy tones. They're less drastic than traditional hair dye. ([L'Oréal Paris], [PureWow])
- Demi-Permanent Color: Some toning glosses are demi-permanent hair colors, meaning they last for up to 28 washes with a less harsh root grow-out effect. ([Revlon])
- Gentle Formula: Many toning glosses boast a gentler formula, often ammonia-free and vegan. ([Revlon])
- Maintaining Color: A gloss can maintain color and prevent it from dulling. ([Madison Reed])
- Use with Highlights: Toning glosses can revitalize and refresh faded highlights, both blonde and brunette. ([Madison Reed])
While the terms "gloss" and "toner" are sometimes used interchangeably, they are distinct treatments with overlapping benefits. Toners are often used to correct or adjust the overall tone of the hair, while glosses primarily focus on shine and subtle color enhancement.
Examples of Toning Gloss Use
- Neutralizing Brassiness: After bleaching hair blonde, a toning gloss can remove yellow or orange tones, resulting in a more even, natural-looking blonde.
- Enhancing Natural Color: A tinted gloss can deepen or brighten natural hair color, adding vibrancy and shine.
- Refreshing Faded Color: If your dyed hair has faded, a toning gloss can restore some of its original vibrancy.
