Blue toning is a technique used to neutralize brassy or orange tones in hair, particularly blonde or light brown hair. It involves using a blue-based product, such as a shampoo, conditioner, or toner, to counteract the yellow and orange pigments that can appear in hair after bleaching, lightening, or even natural oxidation.
Blue toning works based on the color wheel: blue is the opposite of orange on the color wheel, and mixing them creates a neutral color. By applying a blue-based product, you're essentially canceling out the unwanted orange tones, resulting in a cooler, more balanced blonde or light brown shade.
Here are some examples of blue toning applications:
- Hair Care: Blue toning shampoos and conditioners are commonly used to maintain the vibrancy and cool tones of bleached or highlighted hair.
- Photography: In photography, blue toning is used to create a cool, cyanotype-like effect in silver-based prints.
- Coin Collecting: In coin collecting, blue toning can occur naturally over time as metals react with oxygen and sulfur, creating a blue hue on the coin's surface.
Blue toning is a popular technique for achieving a variety of hair colors and tones, offering a way to neutralize unwanted brassiness and enhance the coolness of blonde or light brown hair.
