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Going all blonde and coloring your hair in warm to cool-toned shades is easy, but its upkeep paces you up for quite the challenge. Your hair colorist often recommends a purple hair toner, which might add to the confusion. We have established that using a toner once or twice a month helps remove the brassiness and preserves the vibrancy. If you are still wondering – how it works and will keep the blondes glossy and fade-proof, we are here to pour out that information.
As told to Elle by expert colorist Jonathan Colombini – “It can be used to add pigments to hair color that has faded over time and can be used to counteract unwanted colors like yellow tones or brassiness.” For example, if you wish to get ashy, cool-toned hues, it helps eliminate warm tones, whereas it helps remove unwanted brassy yellow tones from warm-toned shades. So, let’s dive in and tell you all about hair toner for blonde hair.
What is blonde hair toner?
Hair toner can also be considered a hair color corrector that works on adjusting and enhancing the tonality of the shade. The infused pigments can help warm or cool down the hair color depending on the result one would like to achieve. As it deposits temporary pigments on the outer layer of the hair shaft, it restores the shade and keeps it fresh between salon visits. This product is the most underrated holy grail for blonde-colored hair as it eliminates unwanted yellow undertones. Purple hair toners for blondes work on keeping brassiness at bay.
How does blonde hair toner work?
Before diving into how toner works, it is crucial to understand a few things and, for a moment, go back to basics. Hair contains two types of pigments – eumelanin and pheomelanin. Eumelanin gives hair a brown or black shade, whereas pheomelanin gives a yellow, orange, or red shade. Bleach strips the existing pigments, usually eumelanin. As a result, applying permanent color tends to leave dark hair with orange undertones and lighter hair with yellow undertones.
The purpose of a hair toner is to correct the color through pigment deposition on the outer strand. Purple toners help neutralize yellow tones, making them an excellent choice for hair toners for blonde hair. However, blue toners work best for brunette to cool-toned shades, as they cancel out orange tones and increase luster. To put it in simple terms, using a hair toner once or twice a month on colored hair works to eliminate brassy tones, add gloss, and enhance vibrancy by depositing pigments.
Benefits of using a hair toner for blonde hair
Toners is one of the most underrated color-protective products and deserves more attention. Whether it’s to correct the freshly colored hair or eliminate brassy tones, it does have multiple benefits. Here are some reasons to stock up on hair toners if you haven’t already:
- It deposits colored pigments on the outer hair strand. This helps with color correction and eliminates unwanted yellow or orange brassy undertones.
- Use a purple toner for blonde hair as it helps neutralize the warm yellow tones and keep the blondes vibrant.
- Strengthens strands by creating a protective barrier around them. This also helps balance the porosity level and prevents hair from drying.
- It enhances gloss and adds shine to the colored hair. Using hair toner helps keep the hues vibrant during salon visits.
- Applying toner once or twice a month plumps the hair cuticle, giving it a voluminous and fuller appearance.
How to use a hair toner?
Hair toners can be used in different ways depending on the purpose. Often, colorists use it with bleaching, highlighting, and coloring in the salon to achieve the desired shade. Alternatively, it can be used in between salon visits to keep the colored hair fresh and eliminate the brassy tones. Blonde-colored hair tends to become brassy with yellow or orange undertones due to pollution, heat styling, hard water, etc.
However, you can also use a hair toner at home by following the necessary instructions on the product. At-home toners for blonde hair are infused with purple or blue pigments that work on neutralizing brassy tones. It’s mainly used as a shampoo that deposits pigments on the strands and keeps the hues vibrant. At-home hair toners are left on for 5 to 10 minutes after even application and washed off with lukewarm or cold water.
Toner Aftercare - How do you make it last?
According to experts, following these simple and easy tips is recommended to ensure the effectiveness of hair toner.
- Use color-treated haircare products—One of the best ways to ensure the toner's longevity is always to use color-safe products. We recommend using Moehair Color Alive Shampoo and Conditioner to prevent the color from fading. Use gentle, sulfate, and paraben-free products.
- Limit heat styling—As much as you try not to use hot styling tools, it is impossible to avoid them completely. However, use a heat protection spray like Moehair Thermal Shield Spray before using hot tools to prevent damage.
- Avoid hot water. Hot water can strip off the color and fade the hues faster when washing hair. To make your toner last, use cold or lukewarm water.
- Protect against sun - Limit direct exposure to sunlight by wearing a sun hat or scarf before stepping out.
With proper care, hair toner can last for up to two months. Colorists recommend applying toners at the salon between coloring sessions to keep the hues fresh and vibrant. If you are looking for hair toners at home, try Moehair Color Infuse Blonde Toner for warm blondes and Moehair Color Infuse Silver Toner for cool blondes.
FAQs
Q1. Can a toner be used in-salon or even at home?
For major color correction, using a hair toner at a salon with professional expertise is best. However, opt for an at-home hair toner like Moehair Color Infuse Blonde or Silver Hair Toner.
Q2. What does a hair toner do?
Hair toner is a pigmented formulation that usually deposits pigments on the strands. This helps eliminate unwanted brassiness and maintains hair color vibrancy for a prolonged time.
Q3. Does a hair toner help with color correction?
Yes, hair toner is infused with pigments that deposit on the strands; it helps with color correction by removing unwanted yellow and orange undertones.
Q4. How frequently should one use a hair toner?
Depending on the degree of neutralization one wishes to achieve, using the hair toner once or twice a month is recommended.
Reference
https://www.elle.com/beauty/hair/a27166932/what-is-hair-toner/
How we reviewed this article:
Our experts continually monitor the fashion and beauty space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
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Current Version
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Feb 11, 2025
Written By -
Upasana Kakati is a lifestyle writer with 7+ years of experience in writing in the beauty and haircare industry.
Edited By -
Saima Ahmed with 8+ yrs of experience, specializes in crafting engaging content focused on Hair care, lifestyle, and beauty.
