How Hair Toner is the Secret to Incredible Colour

If you regularly bleach, lighten or colour your hair, you’ll probably already know that over time, you can fall victim to undesirable brassy tones. So if you’re looking to achieve incredible colour, whether that’s a natural platinum blonde shade, trendy silver or eye-catching pastel shades, then you need to know all about hair toner and how it works.

_{[Photos in this post by Adam Winger on Unsplash]}

What is Hair Toner?

Hair toner is a product that can be used on your hair after it has been chemically bleached or lightened. Toner is more noticeable on lighter shades of hair but it can be used by anyone with any hair colour, including brunettes and redheads, to help banish those pesky brassy undertones that no one wants. Toners work by neutralising unwanted tones in your dyed hair and lifting out the shade you’re aiming for.

What Colour Results Can You Expect From Toner?

To find the right toner for your hair colour, you or your stylist will need to consult a colour wheel. As a general rule of thumb, you’ll want to choose a toner that is the opposite of the shade you’re trying to banish.

When it comes to toners, an individual approach is key. No one shade will suit everyone, and in fact, using a toner to remove or lift distinct shades from your coloured hair is a surefire way to make your hair colour your own. This is because toners will create a personalised, custom finish to a hair colour. Toners can be used all over the hair to remove general brassiness or in certain places to create subtle differences or shades within the hair.

What are the Different Types of Hair Toner?

There are two different types of toner available - those used in salons, and those used at home.

In-Salon Toner

Your hairdresser can personalise your colour by adding warmer or cooler tones in the salon as well as correcting unwanted shades, such as brassy tones for blondes or orange tones for redheads. Using an in-salon toner helps your stylist achieve an even result in the exact shade you were aiming for.

At Home Toner

There are also hair toning products that you can use at home to help maintain your perfect shade in between appointments.

At-home hair toner can help you combat any issues that arise between hair treatments, such as brassy tones coming through, and keep your colour looking soft and natural. Some shampoos and conditioners contain toner, such as purple shampoo, which helps to cancel out yellow shades in blonde hair.

How Long Does a Toner Last After Your Salon Visit?

How long your toner will last depends on several factors, including how often you colour your hair, air pollution, UV light, and exposure to chemicals such as chlorine.

It also depends on how frequently you wash your hair - the more you wash it, the quicker your hair colour is likely to fade. Professional haircare products and general TLC, such as heat protection, wearing a hat in the sun and always using a swim cap, will help prolong the life of your toner in-between treatments.