How to use toner (balancing water) for hair

Toner for hair is most commonly used on blonde hair. This product can correct yellow or brassy tones, or add a golden sheen or cool ash hue to the hair. Although it's not a dye, toner can subtly adjust the base color of your hair. To use toner effectively, you need to understand what it can do for your hair, identify the shade of blonde you want, and visit a professional salon.

Wait for the right color before applying toner. You can't use toner at any time you wish. To achieve the desired shade with toner, you must wait until your hair reaches the right yellow tone. If you prefer a cool ash or neutral tone, ensure your hair is light enough before applying toner.

• Using toner when your hair’s yellow tone isn’t right won’t give you the desired results.

Use toner after hair bleaching. Toner works effectively on bleached hair. To achieve specific blonde shades, you must first bleach your hair, then apply toner. Toner also helps even out the hair color post-bleaching.

• Some types of toner can only be used a few days after bleaching.
• For certain shades, you may need to bleach your hair multiple times to reach the desired tone, especially if your natural color is dark brown or black and you want to go blonde.

Use toner after dyeing your hair. Toner can also be applied after dyeing hair. Sometimes, dyed hair doesn't come out the exact color you want. To correct certain pigments, such as when the hair turns brassy or red, you can use toner to even out the dye or adjust the color.

• Toner can sometimes be used after a dye job goes wrong or when the color doesn’t turn out as expected. It won’t change the hair color, but it can help even out the tone.

Understand that you may not achieve the desired shade right away. For certain shades, it may take some time to adjust. This is because there could still be too much red or yellow pigment in the hair, making it difficult to achieve a cool or ash tone. You should consult a hair professional for guidance on how to achieve your ideal color.

• For example, you might not immediately get the desired silvery blonde shade. Toner for silver blonde hair could turn your hair green or another color. You may need to bleach your hair a few more times to fully eliminate the yellow and red undertones.
• Always refer to the color wheel when bleaching, dyeing, and using toner to ensure you understand your current hair color. This will help you avoid unwanted results.

Remove brassiness from blonde hair. Toner is a product designed to neutralize yellow or brassy tones in dyed hair. It alters the underlying color but doesn’t dye or color the hair. Toner works best on blonde or bleached hair.

• Do not use toner on dark hair as it won’t have any effect.

Change the shade of blonde hair. You can use toner to adjust the tone of your blonde hair. If you want a cooler ash look, toner can help you achieve that. You can also use toner to create warm tones, such as honey, pink, or rosy hues.

• Instead of yellow, golden blonde, or even platinum, toner can create cooler tones for your hair, such as pink, purple, brown, or blue.
• Before applying toner, it's advisable to research which toner you need.

Use toner to even out highlight sections. Toner can help you achieve a more uniform and balanced hair color. This is especially useful if you've dyed your hair or added highlights. Toner can fix any uneven parts of your hair.

• Toner can help blend highlight sections more seamlessly with the rest of your hair.
• Toner also helps even out the root color when dyeing your hair.

Toner enhances hair color. You can use toner to improve the color of your current hair, rather than changing it completely, especially for blonde or certain shades of chestnut brown. If your hair is dull or doesn’t have the desired tone, toner can help enhance your existing color.

• Toner can make your hair brighter or darker. It also adds a glossy, healthier appearance to your hair.
• Toner helps improve and beautify dry or damaged hair.

Apply toner to any section of your hair. Gather the section of hair you want to treat and apply toner directly to it. You don't need to apply toner to the entire head of hair. Don’t worry if you accidentally apply toner to darker sections; it won’t affect those areas.

• For example, you may want to tone down certain highlight sections or the roots.

Choose ammonia-based toner if you have very light blonde hair. Ammonia-based toner is best suited for hair with a pale blonde hue. This type of toner alters the hair's pigmentation and is considered a semi-permanent dye. However, semi-permanent dyes do not penetrate the hair's cuticle but merely coat the hair shaft, meaning they will gradually fade over time.

• You can use ammonia-based toner on bleached hair, but be sure to wait a few days after bleaching. Applying ammonia right after bleaching could damage your hair.
• Follow the mixing instructions. Typically, you'll mix one part toner with a specific ratio of 20-volume developer. Each toner brand may have different instructions, so don't experiment or mix it in any other way.

Use purple shampoo right after bleaching your hair. You can start using purple shampoo immediately after bleaching your hair. It's much gentler and won't damage your already fragile hair. Purple shampoo can help neutralize yellow or brassy tones, leaving your hair with a cooler, ashier hue.

• For best results, wash your hair with purple shampoo 2-3 times a week. Be sure to leave the shampoo on your hair for 5-10 minutes before rinsing.
• Depending on your initial blonde tone, your hair may turn a cool gray instead of the pale blonde you were aiming for. In such cases, alternate between purple shampoo and regular shampoo a couple of times.
• The effectiveness of purple shampoo varies depending on the brand you choose.

Use purple dye after bleaching your hair. Purple dye can also be used to balance out very light blonde hair. It helps remove yellow or brassy undertones and can be applied immediately after bleaching. Only a small amount of dye is needed, just a few drops will do.

• You won't need to use the whole bottle of purple dye. Instead, mix a small amount with white conditioner, apply it to your hair, and leave it on for 15-20 minutes. It's important to use only a small amount of dye, as too much or leaving it on for too long can turn your hair purple.

Visit a salon for your first toner application. If you’ve never used toner on your hair before, it’s best to visit a salon. They will bleach your hair properly, and the stylist will choose the right toner for you. If you already have blonde hair, they will help you achieve your desired results.

• If you attempt to use toner at home without experience, you may not get the result you're hoping for.

Touch up the toner. Toner will begin to fade after several washes. The more frequently you wash your hair, the more often you’ll need to touch up the toner. If you wash your hair less, the toner will last longer.

• For touch-ups, you can either visit a salon or use a home toner kit.