Hair Toner

Hair toning is a treatment that takes away brassy, yellow tones and refreshes or changes the tone of lightened hair. Your bespoke toner is mixed and applied throughout the hair, at the backwash, with either an applicator bottle or a tint brush, with the end result bringing back shine.

Hair toning and glossing both involve semi-permanent, conditioning dyes, but toner corrects dye that has changed colour, while gloss works to restore faded shades and add depth and shine.

Toners gently fade and usually last for up to five weeks, results can vary depending on how often you wash your hair.

Using a toner can do more than just help you achieve your desired hair colour; it offers a variety of additional benefits. In addition to restoring and enhancing your hair’s tone, toners provide definition to your colour and help combat discolouration.

Toners not only correct hair colour but also add shine, increase softness, and reduce the appearance of split ends, which is great news for anyone dealing with damaged hair! If your hair looks dull and lacklustre, a toner can revitalise your strands and make them more vibrant..

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.

Hair should be toned every 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the fading of the colour and personal preferences. Using purple shampoo weekly can help maintain the tone between sessions.

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.