What Is Toner and Do You Need One?

If you're a fan of hair colour, you've probably heard the term toner thrown around in the salon. But what exactly is it, and do you really need one for your hair? In this blog post, we’ll break down everything you need to know about toners, how they work, and whether adding one to your hair care routine could benefit your look.

What Is a Hair Toner?

In simple terms, a hair toner is a product that is used to adjust or refine the tone of your hair after a colouring or lightening process. Unlike traditional hair dye, which can lift or permanently change the colour of your hair, a toner deposits a subtle hue to neutralise unwanted undertones or enhance the overall tone.

For example, if your blonde hair has turned out a bit brassy or orange after lightening, a toner can be used to cool those tones and achieve a more neutral or ashy blonde. Similarly, if your hair colour looks too dull or flat, a toner can bring out more warmth or vibrancy, depending on the effect you want.

Why Use a Toner?

Toners are most commonly applied after a pre-lightening service—like bleaching or highlights. After these processes, your hair can sometimes develop unwanted warmth, such as yellow, orange, or red undertones. A toner helps to neutralise these tones and refine the final result.

The key thing to remember is that toners don’t lift the hair or permanently alter the colour. They simply adjust the tone by depositing colour over your hair. This makes them an essential tool in professional hair colouring, particularly for those looking to maintain a cooler or warmer hair hue without going through a full recolour.

How Does a Toner Work?

Think of a toner like a filter for your hair. If you’ve ever used a photo filter to adjust the colours or tones of an image, you can think of a toner as doing the same thing, but for your hair. Toners work by balancing out the underlying pigment in your hair, depending on your desired look.

They can be used to:

• Neutralise brassiness: Yellow or orange tones in blonde, silver, or lightened hair are toned down using a purple or blue-based toner.

• Enhance vibrancy: Want your red or copper tones to pop more? A red-based toner can intensify those hues.

• Cool down the warmth: If you’re looking for a cooler, more ashy finish, toners can help achieve that by counteracting warm undertones.

It’s important to note that toners are temporary, usually lasting around 4-6 weeks, which is why regular salon visits are recommended to keep your colour looking fresh.

Do You Need a Toner?

Whether or not you need a toner depends on your hair colour goals. Here are a few reasons why you might want to consider using a toner:

1. To Maintain Colour Integrity
   Toners are perfect for keeping your colour looking fresh, particularly in between major colour treatments. They can help maintain the tone of your blonde highlights or balayage, ensuring that you don’t end up with unwanted brassiness or fading.
2. For a More Natural or Subtle Colour
   If you’re going for a specific hair colour, such as a neutral blonde, silver, or pastel shade, a toner can be crucial to fine-tune the shade. It can give you a more professional, salon-finished look that is often difficult to achieve without one.
3. If You’ve Recently Lightened Your Hair
   Bleaching or lightening your hair can often result in unwanted yellow or orange hues. If you want to avoid a brassy, unnatural finish, toning is a must.
4. To Boost Shine & Vibrancy
   One of the lesser-known benefits of toners is their ability to boost hair’s overall shine and vibrancy. Because toners are deposited over the hair, they can help smooth the cuticle, giving your hair a shinier and more polished look.

Can You Do It Yourself?

While toning can be done at home, it’s often best left to professionals, especially if you’ve had a significant colour change. A skilled colourist can analyse your hair's undertones and select the right toner to achieve your desired result.

However, there are also many DIY toners available in the form of shampoos, conditioners, and glossing treatments, which can be effective for maintaining your colour between salon visits.

If you’re unsure whether you need a toner, book a consultation with your colourist, who can assess your hair and guide you in the right direction.

Final Thoughts

Toners are an essential part of the professional hair colouring process, especially for those who have lightened or highlighted hair. They help keep your colour looking fresh, vibrant, and true to tone, while also allowing for a more customised finish.

Whether you’re looking to neutralise unwanted warmth or add a subtle enhancement to your colour, a toner can make all the difference.

If you're unsure whether a toner is right for you, talk to your stylist at your next appointment. They can help you decide how to keep your hair looking its best with the right colour care routine.