What Color Toner Should I Use? A Guide to Choosing the Right Toner for Your Hair

Toner is a semi-permanent hair dye that helps to neutralize unwanted brassiness, add shine, and enhance your natural hair color. Choosing the right toner can be a little confusing, especially if you’re new to hair color. In this article, we’ll walk you through the basics of toner and give you a guide to choosing the right one for your hair.

What is Hair Toner?

Hair toner is a semi-permanent hair dye that deposits color onto the hair shaft without lifting or bleaching the hair. It’s a great way to add dimension, depth, and shine to your hair color, and to neutralize unwanted brassiness or yellow tones. Toners are available in a wide range of shades, from cool blondes to warm browns.

Why Use Hair Toner?

Here are some of the reasons why you might want to use hair toner:

  • Neutralize unwanted brassiness: Blonde hair can often turn brassy or yellow after bleaching or coloring. Toner can help to neutralize these unwanted tones and give your hair a cooler, more natural look.
  • Enhance your natural hair color: If you have light to medium brown hair, toner can help to enhance your natural color and give it a more vibrant, healthy glow.
  • Add dimension and depth: Toner can be used to add dimension and depth to your hair, especially if you have fine or straight hair. This can help to create the illusion of thicker, fuller hair.
  • Correct uneven color: Toner can help to correct uneven color in your hair, such as a color that fades unevenly or where you have a few strands of hair that are a different shade.

What Color Toner Should I Use?

The best toner for your hair will depend on your desired results and your natural hair color. Here are a few basic guidelines:

Blonde Hair:

  • To neutralize brassiness: Use a toner that is a shade or two cooler than your desired blonde, such as a cool blonde, ash blonde, or platinum blonde.
  • To enhance natural blonde: Use a toner that is a shade or two warmer than your desired blonde, such as a golden blonde, honey blonde, or caramel blonde.

Brown Hair:

  • To neutralize red tones: Use a toner that is a shade or two cooler than your desired brown, such as a cool brown, ash brown, or mocha brown.
  • To enhance natural brown: Use a toner that is a shade or two warmer than your desired brown, such as a warm brown, golden brown, or chestnut brown.

Red Hair:

  • To neutralize orange tones: Use a toner that is a shade or two cooler than your desired red, such as a cool red, copper red, or mahogany red.
  • To enhance natural red: Use a toner that is a shade or two warmer than your desired red, such as a warm red, ginger red, or auburn red.

Gray Hair:

  • To enhance gray hair: Use a toner that is a shade or two darker than your natural gray hair. You can use a purple or blue-based toner to add a touch of vibrancy to your hair.

How to Choose the Right Toner

Here are some factors to consider when choosing the right toner:

  • Your natural hair color: The darker your natural hair color, the less vibrant the toner will appear.
  • Your desired results: What are you trying to achieve with the toner? Neutralize brassiness, enhance your natural color, add dimension, or correct uneven color?
  • The brand and type of toner: Some brands offer a wider range of shades and tones than others.
  • Your hair’s condition: If your hair is damaged or dry, you may want to use a toner that is specifically formulated for damaged hair.

What to Expect After Using Toner

After using toner, you can expect your hair to be:

  • Brighter and shinier: Toner can add shine and gloss to your hair, making it look healthier and more vibrant.
  • More even in color: Toner can help to correct uneven color and create a more consistent shade throughout your hair.
  • Neutralized brassiness or unwanted tones: Toner can neutralize unwanted brassiness or yellow tones, giving your hair a cooler, more natural look.

FAQs

Q: How long does toner last?

A: Toner is a semi-permanent hair dye, so it will last for several washes, typically 4-6 weeks.

Q: Can I use toner on top of bleach?

A: Yes, you can use toner on top of bleach. However, it’s best to use a toner that is specifically designed for bleached hair. Bleached hair can be porous, so it’s important to use a toner that won’t strip or damage the hair.

Q: Can I use toner on virgin hair?

A: Yes, you can use toner on virgin hair. However, it’s important to choose a toner that is a shade or two lighter than your natural hair color. Toner won’t show up as dramatically on virgin hair as it would on bleached hair.

Q: Can I use toner to cover gray hair?

A: Toner can help to blend in gray hair, but it won’t cover it completely. If you’re looking to cover gray hair completely, you’ll need to use a permanent hair dye.

Conclusion

Choosing the right toner for your hair can help you achieve your desired look and enhance your natural beauty. By considering your natural hair color, your desired results, and the brand and type of toner, you can find the perfect toner to give your hair the look you’ve been dreaming of.


Remember, if you have any questions or are unsure about which toner to use, it’s best to consult a professional stylist. They can help you choose the right toner for your hair and achieve the results you’re looking for.

For professional hair color services and a wide range of toner products, visit Color Box Hanoi. We offer a free consultation to help you find the perfect toner for your hair. What is toning hair color.