Whether you're using a purple shampoo to get that ice white blonde and knock out any brassiness or calling upon a touch of pastel pink for a rose gold effect, blonde hair is a blank canvas just waiting to be toned. Plus, a good toner can help prolong the longevity and brilliance of your hair colour, allowing you to leave longer in between your salon appointments.
For the uninitiated, let Aveda's Advanced Creative Director, Bruno Ellorrioroz, answers the all-important questions about hair toner, including how it works and which shade to go for...
What is hair toner and how does it work?
Toners are used to enhance the shade and correct the undertone of your hair colour after (and in-between) treatment, especially if you have blonde or bleached hair. For example, lots of blondes like a cool effect and a toner the perfect product to help to neutralise any brassiness.
Does hair toner work?
Yes, toners can make a significant albeit nuanced difference, as the changes in coolness and warmness create a subtle change based on suitability of each hair type. Although you can’t massively alter the shade of your hair from the colour you have had - you can really transform the tone. Colour isn’t actually being applied, it is a non-permanent rinse that lasts up to two to three weeks. However, if you're looking for a dramatic colour transformation, toners aren't for you.
Can I do a hair toner at home?
You can use a hair colour toning treatment at home in the form of silver or purple shampoos. These are great to use as maintenance in-between salon visits to prolong the brilliance and shine of your colour.
An in-salon toner will be far more pigmented and have more of an effect on your colour. In this case, the toner is applied at the backwash to keep your colour looking fresh and can be reapplied every two to three weeks.
What colour toner should I choose?
Toner is not a self-select process and your colourists will be best to advise based on your colour appointment and what you have discussed in terms of the final finish you are looking for.
Does hair toner wash out?
Toner is temporary, so even if you choose to experiment with a peachy tone or the full pastel rainbow, you'll always be able to return to your blonde base shade after a few weeks of washing.
Would a toner help get the icy blonde look?
A toner will help to get the icy blonde look, but you should discuss this with your colourist as it is used for subtle shifts in tonality such as cooling or warming up colour, so it's important to select the right one for the look you want to achieve.
Are there different colours of hair toner?
Toners aren’t designed to create crazy colours however they are ideal if you're blonde and want to play with pastel shades (however, these subtle shades will hardly show up on brunette or black hair). Pinks and lilacs in particular are very popular and look stunning.
Which celebrities have toner?
The majority of celebrities would be having a toner after their colour appointment, it’s quite a salon standard these days as it's such a great way to subtly bespoke your colour. Poppy Delevingne is a good example.
Can brunettes use a toner or is it just for blondes?
Ultimately toners can be used on all shades of colour to eliminate brassiness but they do tend to be more useful for blondes due to specific blonde ambitions and the current craze for cool, icy shades.
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Is there a one-shade-suits-all toner?
No, toners are very bespoke.
How do you keep your colour vibrant once the toner fades?
Regular refreshing every two - three weeks is advised to keep colour looking super fresh and to maintain your preferred tonality.
Can you have just a toner appointment and if so, is it worth it?
You can book in for just a toner and it is advised for in-between your colour treatments which you would have every few weeks to keep colour looking super fresh.
Does hair toner damage your hair?
Hair toner should not damage your hair if you use the correct strength and use it at the correct intervals. If you're using an at-home toning shampoo or getting a toning treatment at a reputable salon, you should be totally fine - if anything, you hair will look healthier!
