Hair Toner vs. Hair Dye: What’s the Difference?

By Upasana KakatiAug 9, 2024 5 mins read

What is hair dye

What is hair toner

Hair toner vs hair dye

FAQs

References

Hair dye and toner are two interconnected terms of hair care lingo, and often people confuse both to be similar. While both are used to transform hair color, both work differently. Hair dye is used to change the hair color, while toner helps maintain it for longer. No doubt, the hair color industry is ruled by these two (and many more) products, thanks to ever-changing trends and innovations. In this blog, let’s discuss the difference in detail— hair toner vs hair dye.

Toners and dyes are two very different products widely used in salons and at home. They differ in terms of uses, applications, processing, and results. Hair toners are gentler and offer temporary results. They act as a gloss or color-corrector, neutralizing brassy unwanted tones. On the other hand, hair dyes are formulated to entirely transform the mane’s color and leave long-lasting effects.

What is hair dye

Hair dye is a familiar product; after all, it is a coloring agent that changes the color or tone of hair. Before actual hair dyes were invented, people used ingredients like henna shrub to cover gray areas. But hair coloring nowadays isn’t just limited to gray coverage. With new color products launching every month, people have plenty of fascinating, trendy ideas to experiment with. Depending on the desired result, one can choose from the following types of hair dyes.

Semi-permanent hair dye: This is a deposit-only hair color that coats each hair strand and washes out after a couple of washes. With proper aftercare, most semi-permanent hair dyes last up to six washes. They are perfect for non-committal hair transformations, as you do not need to stick to the same hue for longer. Most temporary hair dyes are easy to use at home and do not require any prior coloring experience.

Permanent hair dye: This type of hair dye provides a long-term hair color transformation that lasts up to six weeks. It opens the cuticle and removes the existing color pigments to deposit new tints. The color molecules penetrate through the hair shaft and, thus, lasts longer than temporary dye. A permanent hair dye can be used for complete gray coverage, full head coloring, and styles like highlights, balayage, and ombre. It is mixed with a hair color developer (hydrogen peroxide) to lift the natural color and deposit the new tinge effectively.

Also Read: Demi-permanent vs Semi Permanent Hair Color – What’s the Difference?

Benefits

Coloring your hair is probably one of the easiest ways to change your entire look in one go. When we talk about hair toner vs hair dye , these products have more advantages than we know. So, we tapped hair colorists and stylists worldwide to verify the top three benefits of hair dye.

Enhances texture and volume: Hair dye works as an additional layer on your tresses, making them look thicker than usual. This is because it coats each strand and boosts the overall volume.
Adds shine and dimension: Hair dyes give your strands that much-needed shine and dimension. Most products contain oils and shine-boosting ingredients to improve the appearance of your tresses.
Offers a youthful look: Who doesn’t love a more youthful look? Hair dye helps achieve stunning hues, which, in turn, transforms dull to dazzling in no time.

How to use

Using hair dye is simple if you know the basics. Here’s how you can apply different types of hair dyes.

Permanent hair dye

For instance, if you are using Moehair 7NN Blonde Intense Hair Color — Start by mixing the permanent hair coloring cream with a hair color developer (read the instructions on the package carefully).
Mix 1 part of the color and 1 and ½ of developer in a non-metallic bowl. However, if you want a slightly lighter shade, try 1 part of the hair color with 2 ½ of the developer.
Use gloves for application. Always apply on washed and dried hair. Let the color sit for 60 minutes or depending on the requirement.
Rinse off with cold or lukewarm water. Avoid shampooing immediately. Use conditioner if required.

Semi-permanent hair dye

For instance, if you are using Moehair Purple Hair Dye — Start by pre-lightening your hair for the best results. Wear gloves and pour out the semi-permanent hair dye into a bowl.
Section your dry, unconditioned hair into four parts and use clips to secure it.
Apply color from root to tip (or desired areas), working on 1-inch-wide strands. Keep it on for a required time, say 30 minutes or more for intense shades.
Rinse with cold or lukewarm water. Follow up with a conditioner, if desired. Do not shampoo.

What is hair toner

A hair toner is an aftercare product that eliminates unwanted orange or yellow tones caused by exposure to the sun, harsh chemicals, and pollutants. It is a highly pigmented solution that helps delay color fading and enhance vibrancy. It can also be used to personalize or correct hair color. The idea is simple—it helps get rid of bad tones and texture, leaving shiny and perfectly toned strands.

Benefits

You must be wondering why you need a hair toner after spending $$ for in-salon color treatments. The short answer is that even salon-colored hair starts to fade after a few weeks, developing ugly undertones. Celebrity hairstylist Kristin Ess told Elle , “People need toning products for many reasons, but the most popular is to either maintain the tones in their hair that they love or to adjust warm or cool tones.” Moreover, the difference— toner vs hair dye is evident in terms of usage and benefits. Here’s why you need a hair toner:

Neutralizes undertones: Shades like blonde and silver are prone to brassiness caused by heat styling, chemical-based products, and other external aggressors. Thus, a hair toner helps neutralize those yellow and orange tones. It refreshes the hair color, hydrates the mane, and improves hair texture.
Corrects hair color: After a couple of weeks, you may experience uneven tints on your strands. This can be a result of color fading and freshly grown roots. A hair toner’s tinted formulation reduces such faded patches and makes the hair color more vibrant.
Adds gloss and shine: A hair toner is an ideal product to enhance the shine, gloss, and vibrancy of your salon-colored tresses. It is formulated with color-enhancing ingredients that help revive lackluster hair.

Also Read: Guide to Hair Toner – All You Need to Know

How to use

Below are the steps for using Moehair Color Infuse Silver and Blonde Hair Toner . For other products, it is advisable to read the package for instructions.

Apply a generous amount of hair toner to wet hair.
Massage and evenly distribute along the hair length. Use a wide-toothed comb to ensure it's evenly distributed.
Let it sit for 3 to 5 minutes. Rinse off with cold or lukewarm water.

Hair toner vs hair dye

According to Colorist Heather Lee , “Hair dye can permanently change hair color, making it either darker or lighter, and can also cover gray [hairs]. Toners or glosses are used to tweak, adjust, or neutralize unwanted tones, such as brassiness.” To conclude, let’s run through a table of differences— toner vs hair dye .

Parameter	Hair toner	Hair dye
Uses	A hair toner neutralizes ugly undertones caused by exposure to harsh products, heat-styling tools, and the sun’s UV rays.	A hair dye is a coloring agent used to change the hair color. It is mixed with developer to remove the existing color pigments and deposit new hues.
Formulation	It is formulated with color pigments that cancel unwanted tones. For instance, a blonde hair toner comprises purple pigments to remove brassiness and enhance overall shine.	It contains color pigments, ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, and other coloring agents that penetrate the cuticle layer to deposit tints.
Risks	Improper use or careless handling of hair toners may lead to uneven tints, worsening the overall appearance of hair.	A bad hair dyeing job can lead to disastrous transformations. It is best to take a strand test prior to hair coloring.
Longevity	A hair toner is an aftercare product that keeps hues fresh for longer. Its results can last up to three weeks.	Hair dyes vary in longevity depending on hair type, coloring technique, and the product used. Permanent hair dyes can last up to six weeks, whereas semi-permanent dyes can withstand a couple of washes (say, four to six).

FAQs

1. Which is better— hair toner vs hair dye?

Hair toner and dye are two different products, and there is no such thing as one being better than the other. Both are used for different purposes. Hair dye is a coloring agent that delivers fresh hues, whereas a toner is an aftercare product used for color correction and toning.

2. How long does a hair dye last?

A permanent hair dye lasts up to six weeks, depending on hair porosity, texture, and the product used. On the other hand, a temporary hair dye can last for a couple of washes.

3. Can a toner cover gray hair?

A hair toner helps neutralize ugly undertones and reduce color fading. However, it may not sufficiently cover gray areas.

4. Is it safe to use a hair toner at home?

Most salon specialists recommend using particular hair toners at home to keep hair color fresh for longer. However, seeking expert advice before using a new toning product is advisable.