Online tool

Toner selector: find the right toner for lightened hair

Q: What is a toner and what does it do?

A toner is a color applied to lightened hair to neutralize the underlying tone you don't want (orange, yellow, gold) and reach the blonde you're after. Each brand classifies its own; its job is to deposit color, not to lift.

Q: Can you use toner without bleaching first?

Yes, with limits. On natural blonde hair it can tone down warm reflects, but on darker bases the effect is barely visible, because toner deposits color and doesn't lift.

Q: How often do you need to reapply toner?

It depends on the line, the hair's porosity, and home care. Redken US says Shades EQ lasts up to 28 shampoos. Between services, a purple shampoo helps keep yellow in check.

Select the unwanted tone and blonde level. The tool suggests a toner family, the developer and timing listed on the instructions of each example line, and shades from professional brands to start from.

Step 1

What unwanted tone do you see?

Select the dominant tone in your client's pre-lightened hair.

Step 2

What level is the hair at?

Select the current level of the pre-lightened hair.

Result

Recommended toner

Unwanted tone

Toner

Toner family

Developer

Processing time

Pro tip

Brand examples

Step by step

How to choose the right toner

Identify the unwanted tone

Look at the client's pre-lightened hair. The dominant tone (orange, yellow, brassy gold, or warm copper) determines which toner family is needed.

Confirm the blonde level

The hair level (7 to 10) refines the recommendation. A level 7 with orange needs a different toner than a level 9 with yellow.

Apply the toner per its instructions

Mix the toner with its line's developer, at the volume and ratio on its instructions, and follow its timing. Watch processing from the start, especially on porous ends.

Toner guide

What are toners and how do they work

Hair toners are colors designed to neutralize unwanted tones after bleaching. They are the key tool for cool, ash, and platinum blondes.

The principle is simple: each unwanted tone has a complementary color that neutralizes it. Orange is neutralized with blue, yellow with violet, and red with green. To dive deeper into the theory, check out our neutralization wheel. Not sure what level the hair is at? Check our hair color level chart.

Toner families by unwanted tone

Unwanted tone	Toner family	Base color	Levels in the selector
Orange	Ash	Blue	7-8
Yellow	Violet	Violet	8-10
Brassy gold	Violet ash	Blue and violet	7-9
Warm copper	Matte ash	Blue and green	7-8

Choosing the developer for a toner

There is no single developer volume for every toner: each line has its own developer and lists it on its instructions, with its ratio. The tool's result shows the one for each example line.

Use the line's own developer: mix each toner with the developer or activator its instructions call for, at that volume and ratio. With a different developer, the instructions no longer describe what you'll get.
A higher volume doesn't tone more: on bleached hair, a stronger developer keeps lifting and sensitizes the hair. To neutralize, the shade you choose is what does the work.
If the line offers two volumes, its instructions say what each one is for. Wella US, for example, recommends Color Touch Emulsion 1.9% (6 volume) for color deposit, correction, glazes, and toning.

Common toner mistakes

Applying toner on a base that's too dark: if the hair hasn't reached the right level, the toner can't do its job, because it deposits color and doesn't lift. Before lightening again, check the hair's elasticity.
Going up on developer: a higher volume than the instructions call for doesn't neutralize better; it keeps lifting and sensitizes. Use the line's own developer.
Leaving it on longer than the instructions say: an over-processed toner can give an overly dark or grayish result. Watch processing from the start, especially on porous ends.
Not equalizing porosity: more porous ends absorb faster. Apply to roots first, then bring through to ends.
Skipping the pre-tests: Wella's global Koleston Perfect leaflet says to always perform an allergy test 48 hours before any color service. A strand test also shows you how that hair responds before you apply it all over.

Complete toner shade charts

Browse the shades of the most popular toner lines:

Redken Shades EQ Wella Color Touch Wella Color Charm T18, T14 (permanent) L'Oreal Dia Light Igora Vibrance

Learn more about toners

We answer your questions

Questions about hair toners

The essentials of toning blondes

What is a toner and what does it do?

A toner is a color applied to lightened hair to neutralize the underlying tone you don't want (orange, yellow, gold) and reach the blonde you're after. Each brand classifies its own: Redken US, for example, calls Shades EQ Gloss a demi-permanent toner. Its job is to deposit color; lifting is what bleach is for.

How long do you leave a toner on?

As long as the line's instructions say: there is no single time for every toner. For example, Wella US gives Color Touch 20 minutes without heat or 15 with heat, and Redken US processes Shades EQ for 20 minutes on dry hair. The tool's result shows the time for each example line. On very light bases and porous ends, watch processing from the start.

What developer volume should I use with toner?

The line's own developer, at the volume and ratio on its instructions. Each brand has its own: Wella US recommends Color Touch Emulsion 1.9% (6 volume) for toning, mixed 1:2, and Redken US mixes Shades EQ 1:1 with its Processing Solution. Going higher to tone bleached hair doesn't help: it keeps lifting and sensitizes the hair.

Can you use toner without bleaching first?

Yes, with limits. On natural blonde hair it can tone down warm reflects, but on darker bases the effect is barely visible, because toner deposits color and doesn't lift. For it to do its job, the hair has to be at the right level.

How often do you need to reapply toner?

Toner fades with shampooing, and how long it lasts depends on the line, the hair's porosity, and home care. Some brands publish it: Redken US says Shades EQ lasts up to 28 shampoos, and that underprocessing or applying it on wet hair greatly impacts how long it lasts. Between services, a purple shampoo helps keep yellow in check.

What is the difference between toner and gloss?

In salons the two terms overlap: Redken US calls Shades EQ Gloss a demi-permanent toner. What matters is not the name but the line's instructions: its developer, its ratio, and its timing. Both neutralize unwanted tones.

Do you need an allergy test before toning?

Check the line's instructions before every service. Wella's global Koleston Perfect leaflet, for example, says to always perform an allergy test 48 hours before any color service. A strand test also shows you how that hair responds before you apply it all over.

Have more questions?

Email us at hello@blendsor.com

Professional products

Top toners recommended by professionals

Toners and maintenance products that color professionals use on their blondes:

Wella T18 Lightest Ash Blonde The classic toner for neutralizing yellows. Cool ash result. Wella Color Touch Versatile demi-permanent. Wide range of ash and iridescent shades for toning. Redken Shades EQ Professional acidic gloss. Deposits color with shine. Schwarzkopf Igora Vibrance Ammonia-free demi-permanent. For toning blondes. L'Oreal Dia Light Acidic gloss with low pH technology. Shine and neutralization in one. Fanola No Yellow Intense purple shampoo for maintenance between toner sessions.

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