Does toner change hair color?

Author: Dr. Brennan Konopelski  |  Last update: Friday, June 27, 2025

It doesn't completely alter your hair colour, but it helps you subtly manipulate the shade of brassy hair. Hair toners neutralise unwanted warm or brassy tones to help you achieve a shinier, healthier, more natural-looking shade.

What happens if you just put toner in your hair?

Hair toners can be used to achieve two things. “It can be used to add pigment to hair color that has faded over time, and it can be used to counteract unwanted colors like yellow tones or brassiness. Toning and glossing also add a nice boost in shine to the hair,” Colombini says.

Will toner change natural hair color?

A toner wont lift color. That being said, the toner may have a mild effect on your natural color but it will be temporary. It will likely produce the most effect on the lighter hair particularly the violet toners like wella t18. If your natural hair color is ashy it will probably just enhance it a bit.

What does toner do to brown hair?

Toning products work by depositing hair colour pigment onto each individual hair strand. Anyone can use hair toners regardless of whether your hair is dyed or not, but they're especially great at topping up faded colour, getting rid of those unwanted warm orange or brass tones, and adding intense shine.

How much does toner change hair color?

The toner works most noticeably on light hair as it does not lift or permanently alter the color of hair, but rather adds a tone over it. This means that it can help you achieve true platinum blonde hair, silver hair, or any number of different pastel hair colors.

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Why do hairdressers use toner instead of dye?

Less hydrogen peroxide means that it's a healthier alternative to dye. For this reason, many stylists will opt for toner. Unfortunately this formulation also means that the results are semipermanent, rather than permanent. Every 3-4 weeks, hair toner will need to be refreshed to maintain the same shine and color.

What color does toner turn your hair?

In fact, a toner is a way to make your hair colour your own. Toners can be used all over the hair or in certain places to create different effects within the hair for an even more personalised result. Warmer tones include buttermilk, peachy, or vanilla hues. Cooler tones include silver, champagne and marshmallow.

Is toner damaging to hair?

The main difference between toner and hair color is that the former simply deposits pigments on the surface of the hair, while the latter—at least in the case of permanent hair color—introduces color deep into the hair cuticle. And because they only act on the surface, toners won't damage your hair.

Is purple shampoo a toner?

Is purple shampoo a toner? Any product that dispenses pigment to adjust hair tone can be considered a toner, and that includes purple shampoo. Its pigments work to neutralize brass.

Can toner cover grey hair?

Tresch also suggests using a gloss or toner like John Frieda Colour Refreshing Gloss or dpHUE Color Boosting GLOSS+ Deep Conditioning Treatment to easily camouflage sparse gray hairs.

Does toner permanently change hair color?

Unlike hair dye, toners are not used to permanently change your hair colour. Instead, toners work by neutralising unwanted brassy or yellow tones. If you have previously coloured your hair and want to give the shade a little boost, a toner can be a quick fix and is often less expensive than a full colour.

Do I shampoo after toner?

You should wait to shampoo your hair again after applying toner for about 24 hours. This will allow the toner to set and not wash out of your hair.

What happens if you leave toner on too long?

Overlapping the toner application or leaving it on for too long can lead to overprocessing, which may result in dryness, breakage, or a change in texture. To avoid overprocessing, it's crucial to follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully and monitor the toner's development time.

How long will toner last in your hair?

In-salon toners will last on average 3-4 weeks while at-home toners will need to be refreshed once a week, but the answer really depends on the amount of pigments in your chosen toner and how often you wash your hair. Factors that affect how long your toner lasts include: Sun exposure.

Can toner make hair darker?

However, toner is a great option if you find yourself in this predicament. While it may not literally darken the color of your hair, it can neutralize or reduce the appearance of the brighter, brassier tones in your hair, making it appear a bit darker in the process.

Can I tone my own hair at home?

While salon-level toners are best reserved for the pros, luckily you can now achieve similar results at home with a toning shampoo. “Luckily there are a lot of amazing at-home toner products,” says Papanikolas.

What happens if I leave purple shampoo in my hair for 30 minutes?

If you leave purple shampoo in your hair for 30 minutes, the risk of over-toning increases significantly. While purple shampoo is designed to neutralize brassy or yellow tones, leaving it on for an extended period can lead to overly cool or even purple-tinted hair, especially for those with light or porous hair.

What works better, toner or purple shampoo?

Convenience and Quick Fixes: On the other hand, if you're looking for an easy way to combat brassiness between salon visits, purple shampoo is your go-to product. Combo Strategy: Some people use both toners and purple shampoo. Toners help you achieve the initial colour, while purple shampoo helps you maintain it.

When not to use purple shampoo?

"You want to stop using it two weeks before any lightening service. The purple shampoo can cause build up making the hair look dull and darker if overused." This makes the lightening process more difficult to create a seamless blend.

Will toner lighten my hair?

Although it might seem like it can lighten, toner has no lifting ability. Toner simply cancels out unwanted tones. For Example: when we lighten hair it can turn yellow or orange. We use toners to shift hair from yellow into a golden, sandy, icy or beige color that will give you your desired result.

Is toner worse than hair dye?

Yes, as studies show, toner is significantly safer for your hair than permanent dye.

Is box toner bad for your hair?

Be careful with ammonia-based toners

Always try to get your hands on ammonia-free toners to avoid any possible hair damage. A toner made with ammonia is harsh on hair because it opens the cuticle, goes deep into the hair shaft, and changes the structure of the hair.

What does toner do to grey hair?

Silver hair toner is a popular option when it comes to showcasing your grey. Instead, a blue pigment is used to neutralise yellow undertones. Gradually, your hair stylist can reduce the colour pigment at each application, smoothly easing you into an all-grey look thanks to a silver toner for hair.

Do you apply toner to wet or dry hair?

You want the hair cuticle to be open for toning. Towel-dry hair to about 65 - 75% dry then start toning. Usually color & bleach is on dry hair, even toners and colors that do not require developer; however toner that uses developer is recommended on towel dried hair.

Why do hairdressers use toner?

They're often used by your stylist to add natural or more visible tones after highlights, balayage or babylights. Toners enhance the depth and dimension of coloured hair by creating a professionally-finished, flattering look.

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