Your ultimate hair toner guide

Best Hair Toners: Frequently Asked Questions

Consult a professional for personalized advice and the most up-to-date hair-care guidance.

What is hair toner?

Hair toner is a product that helps adjust the tone of your hair color by neutralizing unwanted hues like brassiness or yellow tones. It’s often used after bleaching or coloring to create a cooler, more balanced shade—like icy blonde, ash brown, or platinum.

What does hair toner do?

Toner works by depositing pigments onto the hair to refine or enhance your color. For example, purple and blue toners help cancel out yellow or orange undertones, leaving your hair looking fresh, glossy, and salon-toned between color appointments.

Can you tone your own hair at home?

Yes! You can tone your hair at home using salon-quality hair toners, glosses, or purple shampoos and conditioners. Choose a shade and formula that matches your hair color goals—just be sure to follow the instructions carefully for best results.

How to apply hair toner at home?

Start with freshly washed, towel-dried hair. Apply the toner evenly from roots to ends, using gloves and a tint brush if needed. Leave it on for the recommended time (usually 5–20 minutes), then rinse and follow with conditioner or a color-safe treatment.

What are the benefits of using hair toner?

Using hair toner is highly beneficial for maintaining vibrant, salon-quality hair color:

• Color Correction: Instantly eliminates yellow, orange, or brassy hues, making blonde and lightened hair look cleaner and more natural.
• Improved Hair Health Appearance: The semi-permanent nature often includes conditioning ingredients that boost shine, softness, and overall hair luster.
• Extended Color Life: It helps refresh fading color between full color treatments, saving you time and money on frequent salon visits.
• Increased Dimensionality: Adds depth and richness, making single-process color look more expensive and multifaceted.

Can I purchase hair toner at Ulta Beauty?

Yes, Ulta Beauty offers a variety of high-quality hair toners for different hair types and colors. You can find:

• Salon Brand Toners: Liquid or cream toners and developers from leading brands like Wella, Redken, and Matrix.
• Purple Shampoos and Conditioners: These pigmented products act as mild toners for daily or weekly maintenance of blonde and silver hair.
• Toning Glosses and Masks: Easy-to-use, deep conditioning treatments that deposit a subtle tone to refresh color and add shine.

How long does toner last in your hair?

Hair toner typically lasts between 2 to 6 weeks, depending on your hair type, how often you wash, and the products you use. To extend results, use sulfate-free shampoo, avoid excessive heat styling, and incorporate a purple or blue toning product into your routine.

Is toner better for your hair than dye?

Toner is generally gentler than permanent hair dye because it doesn’t deeply penetrate the hair shaft or lift color. Instead, it subtly enhances or corrects tone while adding shine, making it a great option for refreshing color without damage.

What is the best hair toner for blondes?

The "best" toner for blondes depends on the desired shade and the underlying unwanted tone:

• To Neutralize Yellow/Brassiness: Look for toners with a violet or purple base. These are essential for achieving icy, platinum, or cool blonde shades.
• To Neutralize Orange/Gold Tones: Look for toners with a Blue or Ash base. These are typically used for dark blonde or light brown hair that pulls brassy.
• To Enhance Warmth: For a strawberry blonde or golden honey look, choose a toner with a gold or beige base.

Always check the color wheel and product descriptions to ensure you select the toner that specifically counteracts the unwanted hue in your hair.

Related Content: Best Leave in Conditioners, Products for Healthy Hair, Best Hydrating Hair Products, Best Products for Fine Hair, Best Styling Products, Best Products for Hair Growth, How to Get Rid of Split Ends, What is Co-Wash?, Titanium vs Ceramic Flat Iron, What is Hair Porosity

Explore more Hair Care Buying Guides and Beauty Education Articles