If you’ve ever been frustrated by your beautiful blonde hair turning an unwanted shade of yellow, you’re not alone. Brassiness and dullness can affect all hair colours between salon visits. At Rush, we offer the perfect solution: toner! It’s the secret weapon for maintaining that vibrant, fresh-from-the-salon look.
In this guide, we will break down everything you need to know about toner, how it works, and the different types available.
What is a Hair Toner?
A toner is a specialised treatment designed to neutralise and adjust the tone of your hair. It is particularly effective after lightening procedures such as bleaching or highlighting. When hair is lightened, natural pigments are often stripped away, leading to undesirable tones such as yellow, orange, or red; commonly referred to as brassiness.
By applying a toner with the appropriate undertones, our Rush colourists can neutralise brassiness and restore a more balanced tone. For instance, purple or blue-based toners are typically used to correct yellow or orange undertones.
In a nutshell, a toner is essential for maintaining the vibrancy and colour of your hair!
What are the Types of Hair Toners?
Both salon and at-home toners ultimately serve the same purpose: neutralising brassiness and preserving hair colour, but there are some key differences.
At-home toners
At-home toners help to maintain your hair colour between salon visits and come in shampoos, conditioners and hair masks that contain purple, silver or blue pigments. The difference between these and in-salon toners is that at-home toners contain less pigments, meaning they won’t last quite as long.
In-salon toners
In salons, toners are typically more powerful and custom blended to meet individual client needs. These toners usually contain a higher concentration of active ingredients, resulting in more immediate and long-lasting results. At Rush our stylists can personalise your colour by adjusting the tone to be warmer or cooler as well as correcting unwanted shades. It is also possible to add a bright pop of fashion colour without lifting the base colour. Additionally, this service helps ensure an even hair colour result from root to tip.
How Does Toner Benefit Your Hair?
Using a toner can do more than just help you achieve your desired hair colour; it offers a variety of additional benefits. In addition to restoring and enhancing your hair’s tone, toners provide definition to your colour and help combat discoloration.
Toners not only correct hair colour but also add shine, increase softness, and reduce the appearance of split ends, which is great news for anyone dealing with damaged hair! If your hair looks dull and lacklustre, a toner can revitalise your strands and make them more vibrant.
Another fantastic advantage of using a toner is its ability to strengthen your hair by forming a protective layer around each strand.
At Rush, our toning service allows your stylist to customise your hair by adjusting the warmth or coolness of the tone and correcting any unwanted shades. Additionally, it’s possible to add a vibrant fashion colour without needing to lighten the existing shade.
Transform your hair and book a hair toning appointment at Rush! Our expert stylists are here to enhance your locks, leaving you with stunning, luminous results.
What you can expect from our hair toner treatments
Step 1: Book a toner without colour if your hair is already lightened, or book your toner with colour alongside another colour treatment
Step 2: Find out if you’ll need a skin & patch test by looking at our FAQs page
Step 3: Please arrive at the salon five minutes before your appointment time
Step 4: Consult with an expert stylist to discuss your hair goals
Step 5: Your hair will be shampooed and towel-dried (after colouring, if you picked that option), then your toner will be mixed
Step 6: The toner will be applied where required
Step 7: Unwind with us as your toner goes to work
Step 8: The toner is rinsed off and your hair is shampooed and conditioned
Step 9: Finally, your stylist will express-dry your hair
Toner as an add-on to a colour service: approximately 15 minutes. Toner as a stand-alone service: about 30 minutes.
Transform your hair and book a hair toning appointment at Rush! Our expert stylists are here to enhance your locks, leaving you with stunning, luminous results.
What Colour Results Can You Expect from Toner
Hair toner is a versatile product that can deliver a range of different results depending on hair types and desired looks. For example, for blonde hair, toners can neutralise yellow to achieve a cooler and ashier tone.
For brunettes, toner can be used to enrich and deepen their natural colour, creating a more lustrous and multi-dimensional appearance.
For red hair, toner can add warmer, more vibrant tones, enhancing the hairs brightness and radiance. Additionally, toners are not just for impactful changes, they can be used in subtle ways to enhance a natural hair colour or refresh a faded dye, helping to maintain a fresh from the salon look.
Whether you are correcting unwanted tones or enhancing your colour, toner offers a tailored solution for different hair colours, hair types and needs.
How to maintain and make your hair toner last longer
Keeping your toner effective is essential for maintaining vibrant, brass-free hair. Here are some tips to help prolong the life of your toner:
- Use Sulphate-Free Shampoos: One of the simplest and most effective ways to maintain your toner is by using sulphate-free shampoos. Consult with your Rush stylist, who can recommend sulphate-free shampoos and conditioners specifically designed for colour-treated hair.
- Limit Heat Styling Tools: Excessive heat from hair dryers and styling tools can expand the hair cuticle, leading to colour fading and creating dry, brittle hair. If you need to use styling tools, consider investing in modern options with adjustable heat settings to minimize colour damage.
- Avoid Direct Sunlight: Just as our skin tans in the sun, hair can also lighten. Spending long hours in the sun without protection can cause your hair to naturally lighten and result in sun-induced brassiness, washing out the colour molecules deposited by the toner. It’s also a good idea to use haircare products that offer UV protection to minimise this effect.
By following these tips, you can help keep your hair toner vibrant and lasting longer!
Transform your hair and book a hair toning appointment at Rush! Our expert stylists are here to enhance your locks, leaving you with stunning, luminous results.
FAQ's
What is hair toning?
Hair toner is a product used to neutralise unwanted tones in the hair, such as brassiness or yellow shades, and to enhance or adjust the overall hair colour.
What are the different types of hair toners?
In-salon toners: longer-lasting toners which are typically more powerful and custom blended to meet individual client needs.
At-home toners: Toners that can maintain your colour in-between salon visits which come in the form of shampoos and conditioners. Contain less pigments than in-salon toners, meaning they won’t last quite as long.
What is purple shampoo and what does it do?
Purple shampoo is a colour depositing shampoo designed to neutralise yellow or brassy tones in blonde, grey or bleached hair. The purple pigment counteracts warm tones, keeping hair looking cooler and ashier.
What changes hair to brassy or yellow colours?
Brassiness or yellowing can occur when:
– Natural warm pigments in the hair resurface after bleaching or colouring
– UV rays from sun exposure affect cool tones
– incorrect or infrequent toning can lead to colour fade
What is pre-lightening?
Pre-lightening is the process of bleaching or lightening the hair to remove natural pigments before applying a colour or toner. It creates a light base for vibrant, pastel or cool shades.
How long should I wait to dye my hair after toning it?
You can dye your hair immediately after toning if your hair is healthy and the toner is compatible with your dye. However, waiting a day or two can help ensure the toner has set fully and the hair rests.
How long does a toner last?
Toner typically lasts 4-6 weeks depending on hair care practises and the type of toner used. Frequent washing, heat styling, and exposure to the sun can shorten its longevity.
Does hair toner work on all hair colours?
Toner works best on lightened or bleached hair because it needs a lighter base to adjust the shade. For toner to work, hair must be pre-lightened or coloured first. It is most used for shades of blonde hair, but it can be beneficial for brunettes and redheads too.
How often should I tone my hair?
Hair should be toned every 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the fading of the colour and personal preferences. Using purple shampoo weekly can help maintain the tone between sessions.
Will toner damage my hair?
Toner is typically less damaging than bleach or permanent dye, especially at-home toners. However frequent toning or using a developer with high strength can weaken hair over time.
Will toning my hair lighten the colour?
No, toners should not lighten your hair. Toners adjust the tone of your hair (such as cancelling brassiness or adding coolness) but shouldn’t lift the colour.
How much does hair toning cost?
Toner with colour: starting at £22.
Toner without colour: starting at £40.
