Those of you who have highlights will know how difficult it is to keep them looking in tip-top condition . Over time, they can look tired and worn-out, leaving them barely visible under all your natural hair.
However, a good toner could be the difference between an average finish and an incredible one. But which one does what best? With bleached and highlighted hair calling for alternative treatments, here’s your guide to finding the right toner for your hair.
What does hair toner do?
Toners are products that essentially keep your hair looking Fabulive the way it did after any kind of colour/dying treatment. They are usually used with blonde or bleached hair to minimise yellow and orange shades and keep your hair looking uniformly good.
The aim is to make it a colder blonde colour. Shades such as platinum, ash blonde and white blonde are particularly susceptible to getting washed out by darker shades. Toners are used to cover up the warmer shades and keep your hair looking great.
How does it work?
All the scientists out there will be able to make sense of the fact that hair toner is an oxidative product. What that means is that it’s a dye that mixed with developer to open up the hair cuticle and basically dye the hair from inside. The treatment closes the cuticle after treatment.
In simple terms, the treatment zones in on yellow hairs, recolours them and gives your hair a colder shade all over.
Different types of hair toner
Hair toner is a versatile product used to adjust or enhance the tone of color-treated hair. It helps neutralize unwanted undertones and achieve the desired shade. There are various types of hair toners, each designed for specific purposes. Here are some common types:
There are a few kinds of hair toner, all of which are designer to suppress unwanted tones and enhance the colour you want. Gloss is popular for both blonde and brunette hair and can revive each shades equally and give it that desired fresh-out-of-the-hairdresser look.
Salon-level toners have higher pigment levels and should only be used by professionals. Book a specialised toner appointment between colouring appointments if you need a refresh.
Possibly the most popular with customers who want to tone their hair at home is tinted shampoo. They come in rather off-putting shades of purple and blue but don’t worry, you’re not about to emerge looking like the cookie monster. In fact, these shampoos are designed to get rid of darker tones and make your hair appear brighter. Tinted shampoos do take longer, however, due to the low concentration.