How long to leave toner in hair?

Author: Sarai Rowe PhD  |  Last update: Tuesday, June 3, 2025

If you have never toned your hair before, it's best to do a strand test first as the results of the treatment will vary depending on your hair's porosity. Leave the toner in for between 5-20 minutes: you can rinse a small section to see when the color has fixed to your liking.

How long should toner sit on hair?

Monitor the Process: Keep an eye on the toner as it processes, usually for about 10-30 minutes, depending on the product and your desired result. Rinse and Condition: Once the toner has processed to your satisfaction, rinse it out and condition your hair.

What happens if you leave toner in your hair 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 do I know when toner is done?

Watch for the color to reach the desired tone. For cool-toned blondes, for example, the hair should start to lose its yellow or brassy hues and shift toward the cool shade you're aiming for. 2. Gently wipe off a small section of toner to check the color.

How long to leave T14 toner on brassy hair?

- The recommended time to leave the toner on for brassy hair is typically between 15 to 35 minutes (3). - The exact time within this range will depend on factors such as the current state of your hair, the level of brassiness, and the desired result.

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Is T14 or T18 toner better for orange hair?

If you have any orange left in your hair, T14 is probably the best for your hair over T18. T18 is only effective if your hair is a level 10 or higher (purely yellow). Putting the wrong toner in your hair won't necessarily harm it, but it likely won't affect the color at all.

Why is my hair still orange after toning?

Why is my hair still brassy after toning or colouring? There's two reasons why your hair is still brassy after toning or colouring. Either the undertone of the toner/colour is wrong, or the product is too light for you.

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.

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.

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).

How to fix purple hair after toner?

Clarifying Shampoo

Most toners are not permanent, therefore eventually, after several washes, the 'cool' tones will fade. If you want that toner gone quicker, 2-3 washes with a clarifying shampoo will start to remove the blue, grey or purple stains.

How long do you leave Wella T18 toner on?

Wella Colour Charm Toners should be left on for 30 minutes (this is called processing). Letting your process for the full 30 minutes is ideal, but check every 5-10 minutes or so to see how it's going. The Wella Toners turn a dark purple shade as they process, this is normal so don't panic!

How damaging is toning your 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.

Should I use 10 or 20 volume developer with toner?

Here are the rules for developer choice when going lighter using regular professional color: Use 10 Vol for tone down coloring and level-on-level coloring. Use 20 Vol if you are aiming for a 1-2 level lift (and if you have grey hair that needs covering). Use 30 Vol if you are aiming for a 2-3 level lift.

How long does it take for toner to absorb?

Generally speaking, you should be able to start putting on your makeup “within a minute of applying your skincare [products],” Dr. Nazarian says—everything should be sufficiently absorbed by then. “If you're finding that things are pilling, you're applying too much stuff in general,” she explains.

How long should toner be left on hair?

If you have never toned your hair before, it's best to do a strand test first as the results of the treatment will vary depending on your hair's porosity. Leave the toner in for between 5-20 minutes: you can rinse a small section to see when the color has fixed to your liking.

Is toner better on clean or dirty hair?

There are a few cons to washing your hair before toning. First, if you have light hair, washing it can strip away some of the natural oils that protect your hair and keep it healthy. Second, hair that is clean and free of styling products will absorb color more evenly, resulting in a more even tone.

Do you apply toner to roots or ends first?

1. When toning, always apply the root color first, says Cassandra. This helps with timing and allows the root to process the longest—giving it the max depth and deposit necessary. Pro Tip: Cassandra says she always tones on damp hair, and when working on blondes, she rarely goes darker than a Level 6.

Does toner lighten hair?

“Toners work by depositing color, so they will only enhance the current level or go darker, says Papanikolas. “Toners will not lighten hair, so if your desire is to make your highlights brighter, then a toner is the wrong approach.”

Should you use anything after toner?

After toner, apply your moisturizer or serum. Applying sunscreen should always be your final step before heading out of the bathroom and into your day (even if you're not going outside). However, if you use your toner in the evening before you sleep, you can forego sunscreen.

What shampoo should I use after toning?

After toning/ single process color

We always recommend sealing in your tones with Color Specifics color sealing shampoo after a depositive color service. Color Specifics conditions hair after coloring by smoothing the hair shaft and locking in cosmetic color, for longer-lasting color and improved shine.

How do you fix over toned hair fast?

One effective remedy is the use of clarifying shampoos or treatments to help remove excess toner and buildup from the hair. These products work by gently stripping away unwanted color deposits and restoring the hair's vibrancy.

What toner cancels out orange?

If your bleached hair looks more yellow than orange, you'll need a purple toning shampoo to neutralise the yellow. If your hair's turned orange, you'll need a blue toning shampoo to tone the brassiness and get rid of the orange.

Will my hair go back to normal after a toner?

If you want to re-tone your hair, wait at least 2 weeks. The more you shampoo, the sooner the toner will fade. If you don't wash your hair frequently, you can go back after 8 to do some tress maintenance, and you'll be right back to being your perfect shade of blonde.

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