Blondes may have more fun, but they may also have a more difficult time keeping their ideal hair color. As any blonde will tell you, not all blonde hues are made equal—and the difference is typically due to the undertone, often known as the base shade. That’s where appropriately called toners come in.
They’re the final step colorists employ to brighten and balance your exact blonde colour, and they’re the reason your color always looks so darn amazing when you get hair professionally done. Toners are very effective in removing brassiness (the undesirable orangey, red, and yellow tones that may make your blonde seem dirty) and imparting a mirror-like gloss.
Most (if not all) toning treatments utilize violet and blue pigments to counteract these warm tones. Some can even assist to repair any hair damage caused by the mixing procedure.
“The idea here for bleached or light blondes is to make your color linger longer by utilizing a toning treatment,” explains celebrity hairdresser Lisa Laudat, whose clientele include Rita Ora and Pink.
“As a blonde, you must consider the use of bleach and color on your hair, therefore it’s necessary to manage it correctly and with love and care.” Toners aren’t just for color correction; they’re also an excellent way to incorporate hair-nourishing vitamins like panthenol and shine-enhancing plant oils.
What’s the good news? Previously reserved mostly for professionals, there is now a multitude of at-home solutions accessible. Check out our faves for making your blonde look better than ever, from daily washes that even amateurs can use to salon-worthy permanent hues. Continue reading for the finest blonde hair toners.
1. Garnier Nutrisse Anti-Brass Treatment is the most affordable option.
This inexpensive brand is one of the finest for hair color, but don’t overlook their toning treatment. The weekly toner is ideal for use with the brand’s boxed dye, but it can be be used by anybody looking to restore a cooler blond shade. Purple tones tone down any undesired brassiness, and a three-oil combination makes this incredibly rich and moisturizing.
What We Like
- Affordable
- Three oils work together to provide excellent conditioning.
- Reduces potential brassiness in hair
What We Don’t Like
- When utilizing it, you must wear gloves.
2. John Frieda Sheer Blonde Color Renew Purple Shampoo is the best drugstore shampoo.
Speaking of toning shampoos, here’s another great choice from the pharmacy. (Plus, at this price, you won’t feel awful about using it every day.) Use it three times per week for balanced, revitalized, non-brassy blonde hair in all hues of blonde or enhanced blonde hair.
What We Like
- Excellent value
- Excellent for highlights and one-step color.
- Shower application is simple.
What We Don’t Like
- Toning is lacking.
3. Amika Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Shampoo is the best shampoo.
Using a toning shampoo on a regular basis is one of the greatest methods to keep your blonde looking good in between salon sessions. We love this purple alternative, which would look amazing with any cool blonde, ice, or silver hair. You receive the toning effects as well as a slew of hair-loving perks. Consider the addition of antioxidant-rich sea buckthorn berry, ultra-hydrating avocado oil, and disodium EDTA, which promises to combat the color-dulling effects of hard water.
What We Like
- Simple to use
- Color-dulling effects of hard water are mitigated.
- Quickly performs
What We Don’t Like
- Pricey
- Because it is quite strong, it should be used with caution.
4. Kristin Ess The One Purple Shampoo is the best conditioner.
This is another purple-tinted solution, but the hue is light enough that you may apply it every day if you like. Along with keeping your blonde in place, it has the brand’s exclusive ‘Zip-Up Technology,’ which helps strengthen and prevent hair from potential damage. Not only does your hair color look amazing, but it also looks and feels healthy.
What We Like
- Hair-friendly ingredients
- Large size and reasonable price
- Hair is strengthened and protected.
What We Don’t Like
- If applied excessively, it can cause ashy hair.
5. Color Wow Color Control Purple Toning + Styling Foam is the best styler.
Try applying this styler on a regular basis for an easy, unobtrusive approach to keep your color updated. The faint lavender color not only keeps brassiness at away, but it’s also a fantastic mousse on its own. It is alcohol-free, so it will not dry out your hair, and it employs a special sort of rubber-like ingredient to give volume, hold, and fullness… without leaving your hair sticky or crunchy. It also comes in a blue version that’s great for balancing out brassiness in brown hair, so tell all your brunette friends about it.
What We Like
- Excellent for multitasking
- There is a brunette option available.
- Volume, hold, and fullness are created.
What We Don’t Like
- Pricey
6. Philip B Icelandic Blonde Conditioner is ideal for bleached blondes.
The lighter the blonde, the more visible undesirable brassiness can be, making a proper toning product like this one an important element of your color maintenance. This is designed specifically for the palest of blonde tints (as well as gray and silver tones) and reduces brassiness while also increasing shine and moisture. Depending on how much toning you require, leave it on for one to three minutes before washing.
What We Like
- An excellent everyday alternative
- Hydrating
- Quickly completes the task in minutes
What We Don’t Like
- Only works on the palest of blondes.
- The tint is extremely mild.
7. Wella ColorCharm Permanent Liquid Hair Toner is the best permanent color.
Go ahead and go for this permanent toner if you’re somewhat skilled at DIY color. Its unique technique improves penetration and saturation, ensuring that your freshly toned blonde will not fade. It’s also available in eight various shades of blonde, so you can select the one that’s exactly right for you, and it’s really reasonable.
What We Like
- There are several blonde colors available.
- Inexpensive
- Longer tone penetration and saturation
What We Don’t Like
- This is not for novices.
FAQ
What to Look for in a Blonde Hair Toner?
Pigments in purple
Using a toner containing purple pigments is an easy method to refresh your blonde and fight undesirable yellow tones. According to Laudat, the purple tones in the lotion neutralize yellow undertones: Purple is the hue opposite yellow on the color wheel, therefore applying these complementary colored pigments essentially cancels it out.
Pigments in blue
Have an orange-tinged brassiness rather than yellow? To return to the color wheel, toning treatments with blue pigments are the greatest option for combating any nasty orange tint that may be troubling your blonde.
Ingredients for Conditioning
All that whitening and bleaching takes a toll on your hair if you’re not a natural blonde. Choosing toners with conditioning and moisturizing elements will not only assist strengthen your hair, but will also increase the shine factor.
What effect does toner have on blonde hair?
Toning solutions, according to Laudat, help address the yellow and orange undertones that make blonde hair appear drab and lifeless. They effectively counteract any brassiness by depositing modest quantities of pigment in hues opposite to these tones on the color wheel (particularly, purple and blue), renewing and rejuvenating your blonde.
How frequently should you apply blonde hair toner?
To keep your blonde in control, Laudat suggests applying a toning product once a week, however you can use it more frequently depending on the shade of blonde you want. “You may use them every day, but keep an eye on the color so it doesn’t get too flat or ashy,” she advises.
How do you apply blonde hair toner?
Because the majority of the above products are shampoos, conditioners, and masks, Laudat recommends applying them as follows: “If you’ve got really yellow roots and whiter ends, I would suggest that you apply the toner immediately at the roots, rub it in, and then let the lather soak through to the ends so that the majority of the product is on the roots.”
She notes that although the lather on your ends will assist to keep them in check, the majority of the pigments will go to work where it’s most required.
If you have brassiness all over your hair, she recommends applying the product to dry hair where needed, keeping it on for as long as needed to set in, and then rinsing it out with water.
