Does toner make blonde hair lighter or darker?

Author: Kaylie Lynch  |  Last update: Saturday, April 5, 2025

Toner isn't meant to change the color of hair, but it neutralizes the undertones of hair color that might be overly emphasized by dye or highlights. This product is especially useful for blonde hair, as it can heavily influence the type of blonde you're going for.

Does toner make blonde hair lighter?

Toners cannot make your hair lighter or brighter. Toners, though, can remove a bit of the brightness from a raw lift from bleach. So if you are someone who likes a really bright blonde, and your hair can lift to a pretty end result from bleach alone, you may be able to skip the toner altogether.

Can you darken blonde hair with toner?

Yes, toners can darken hair without bleaching. The process involves going in with low lights to break up warm highlights, picking out anything too bold, and using vibrance for low lights. Then, when the hair is wet, root shadow and end toner are applied at the same time.

Does hair get darker the longer you leave toner on?

Some toners will make your hair appear darker but not for long because they fade rather quickly even ones labeled ``permanent''. You can use actual hair color to tone out unwanted colors but again if your using a transparent color it will fade, otherwise you're simply just coloring your hair a darker color.

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.

toners: how to pick, mix & apply a hair color toner at home | 2024

What are the cons of hair toner?

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.

Will toner lift hair color?

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.

Do you use purple shampoo after toner?

Those undertones come out when the colorist applies a toner, but you may find they start to appear between color services as the toner fades. This is where the need for purple shampoo comes in—to adjust your tone at home!

How to fix blonde hair toned too dark?

How to Lighten Hair Dyed Too Dark with a DIY Approach
  1. Use a paste of Baking Soda and Lemon Juice.
  2. Wash your Hair with Apple Cider Vinegar.
  3. Take some Vitamin C Tablets.
  4. Wash Hair With Clarifying Shampoo.
  5. Use Purple or Blue Shampoo for Brassy Tones.
  6. Do a Bleach Bath.
  7. Bleed the Color Out.
  8. Use Hair Lightener or Toner.

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.

What does toner do to highlights?

Hair toner enhances highlights by: Neutralising any unwanted undertones or brassiness. Adding depth and dimension to the highlighted strands. Creating a more seamless blend between the highlights and the rest of the hair.

How to get mushroom blonde hair?

Both balayage and foiling techniques are a popular choice for achieving a natural-looking mushroom blonde finish. Discuss these techniques with your stylist to determine the best option for you. Both techniques are topped off with an ash based toner.

Can you use blonde toner on naturally blonde hair?

Use a hair toner

An easy way to neutralize brassy tones is with a hair toner. Blonde It Up Crystal Glow Toner is our top choice for color-treated blondes, bleached blondes and natural light blondes who are noticing yellow tones in their hair.

Can I darken my blonde with toner?

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.

Will toner with 20% developer lighten hair?

20 Vol Developer will lighten your hair slightly and will give permanent results. Use this with Wella Colour Charm Permanent Toners, along with Shimmer Lights Toners and Lightener. Keep in mind, as 20 Vol Developer lightens your hair slightly, it can cause brassiness at your roots (if they're darker than your lengths).

What lightens blonde hair?

Our Top Picks
  • Best Hair Lightener Overall: Sun-In Spray-In Hair Lightener, $9.
  • Best for Color-Treated Hair: Oribe Bright Blonde Sun Lightening Mist, $38.
  • Best for Blondes: Sun Bum Blonde Hair Lightener, $17.
  • Best for Brunettes: Halley Lighten Up Hair Lightening Mist, $16.

Does toning blonde hair make it lighter?

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. So if you want your hair to look lighter or brighter than it is time for a lightening service.

Why is my blonde hair getting so dark?

Age: With aging, the activity of melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin, changes. In childhood, these cells might produce less melanin, resulting in blonde hair. However, as one grows older, the melanocytes can become more active, leading to the production of more melanin and, consequently, darker hair.

What is the least damaging way to lighten your hair?

Natural bleaching agents like apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, chamomile tea, or cinnamon and honey can lighten hair gently and naturally with minimal damage.

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.

Should you shampoo after toner or just rinse?

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. If you used a box hair dye in your hair, using a toner will really not do anything.

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.

How to pick the right hair toner?

Here's how to find the perfect toner shade:
  1. Determine your current hair colour, including highlights, lowlights, and undertones. ...
  2. Determine the underlying tones of your hair. ...
  3. Determine what you want to achieve with the toner. ...
  4. Choose a toner shade that is appropriate for your hair colour and desired outcome.

What happens if I put toner all over my hair?

Toner does not have to be used evenly on all of the hair, but it can be. Don't worry if you make a mistake and get it on the darker strands of your hair; the toner will not affect them. For example, you may want to tone down highlights or your roots. Always apply toner to damp hair so it distributes evenly.

How to tone down blonde hair at-home?

Use Purple Shampoo and Conditioner

If you are seeking an at-home solution, start with purple shampoo and conditioner. "Purple shampoo is great for neutralizing yellow or brassy tones by balancing them with cool pigments," shares Korab.

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