Hair Toner

Hair toner is a professional colour-refining treatment used to adjust the tone of coloured or pre-lightened hair. Rather than dramatically changing your shade, it works by correcting undertones, softening brassiness and refreshing the overall finish so your hair looks cleaner, shinier and more balanced.

If your hair colour has started to look brassy, dull, faded or slightly uneven, it may be time for a hair toner. Toning can help neutralise unwanted yellow, orange or warm undertones, refresh blonde shades and bring highlights or balayage back to life. It is also a great option if your colour no longer looks as fresh as it did after your last appointment but you are not ready for a full colour service.

At Rush, every hair toning appointment is tailored to the look you want to achieve. Our expert colourists assess your current shade, hair condition and desired finish before choosing the right toner to refresh and refine your colour. Whether you want to neutralise brassiness, brighten blonde, tone brown hair or refresh grey and silver shades, we personalise the service to suit you.

We focus on results that look polished, fresh and flattering, never one-size-fits-all colour. With professional products, expert application and salons across the UK, Rush makes it easy to maintain toned hair that looks glossy, balanced and salon-fresh between bigger colour appointments. Book your appointment with Rush today.

If you’re new to Rush, we recommend patch testing 48 hours before. For our full policy, see details on our FAQS page.

Hair toner is mainly used to refine tone and reduce unwanted warmth. Hair gloss is more focused on shine, softness and refreshing faded colour.

Hair toner usually lasts around 4 to 6 weeks, although results vary depending on your wash routine, hair type and aftercare.

A toner helps refine your hair colour by neutralising unwanted tones, reducing brassiness and refreshing faded colour. It can also enhance shine, improve softness and leave your hair looking smoother, healthier and more polished between appointments.

Hair toner is a versatile product that can deliver a range of different results depending on hair types and desired looks. For example, for blonde hair, toners can neutralise yellow to achieve a cooler and ashier tone. 

For brunettes, toner can be used to enrich and deepen their natural colour, creating a more lustrous and multi-dimensional appearance. 

For red hair, toner can add warmer, more vibrant tones, enhancing the hairs brightness and radiance. Additionally, toners are not just for impactful changes, they can be used in subtle ways to enhance a natural hair colour or refresh a faded dye, helping to maintain a fresh from the salon look.

Keeping your toner effective is essential for maintaining vibrant, brass-free hair. Here are some tips to help prolong the life of your toner:

1. Use Sulphate-Free Shampoos: One of the simplest and most effective ways to maintain your toner is by using sulphate-free shampoos. Consult with your Rush stylist, who can recommend sulphate-free shampoos and conditioners specifically designed for colour-treated hair.
2. Limit Heat Styling Tools: Excessive heat from hair dryers and styling tools can expand the hair cuticle, leading to colour fading and creating dry, brittle hair. If you need to use styling tools, consider investing in modern options with adjustable heat settings to minimise colour damage. 
3. Avoid Direct Sunlight: Just as our skin tans in the sun, hair can also lighten. Spending long hours in the sun without protection can cause your hair to naturally lighten and result in sun-induced brassiness, washing out the colour molecules deposited by the toner. It’s also a good idea to use haircare products that offer UV protection to minimise this effect.

By following these 3 keys steps, you will prolong the effects of your toner and ensure brassy tones are kept at bay.

You can dye your hair immediately after toning if your hair is healthy and the toner is compatible with your dye. However, waiting a day or two can help ensure the toner has set fully and the hair rests.

Toner works best on lightened or bleached hair because it needs a lighter base to adjust the shade. For toner to work, hair must be pre-lightened or coloured first. It is most used for shades of blonde hair, but it can be beneficial for brunettes and redheads too.

No, toners should not lighten your hair. Toners adjust the tone of your hair (such as cancelling brassiness or adding coolness) but shouldn’t lift the colour.

Toner is typically less damaging than bleach or permanent dye, especially at-home toners. However frequent toning or using a developer with high strength can weaken hair over time.