How to Do Toning in Coloring

Highlights can bring up unwanted brassy tones in hair.

Toning is often required for hair that is overly brassy due to lightening. Lightening hair can bring out brassy tones such as red, orange and yellow, and a toner uses opposite tones to balance this, giving hair a desired neutral effect. Although toners are often used in coloring, there are a few recommendations that will make the process successful.

Things You'll Need

• Gloves
• Protective cape
• Toner hair color
• Activator or developer
• Hair-color bottle

Instructions

1. Find your correct toner for your hair. For hair that is overly brassy or in a yellow color stage, an ash or blue-violet based toner is ideal. For hair in a dark orange or red stage, a toner with a blue-green base is the one you want. Neutral toners can also be used for a simple switch of color.

2. Put on gloves and a protective cape. This will protect your skin and clothing from hair color that could cause staining.

3. Mix your hair toner according to the instructions. Follow directions closely as some manufacturers recommend mixing equal amounts of toner to developer, while others advise mixing one part toner to two parts developer. Shake mixture well in the hair-color bottle.

4. Apply mixture to towel-dried hair. Apply all of the solution, starting at the roots and working the toner down the hair shaft to the ends. To evenly distribute, comb through hair in small sections, using a wide-tooth comb.

Tips & Warnings

• Apply toning solution to damp strands because dry hair that is overly porous or damaged can absorb the hair color inconsistently in certain spots, causing an uneven appearance.

References

• Style Hair Magazine: Hair Toner