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The Art of Toning: Perfecting Your Blonde Hair Color at Home

How to Tone Your Hair At Home

Welcome to a blog helping you do your hair correctly at home! As a professional hairdresser with nearly two decades of experience, I’m excited to share with you the essential steps and insider tips for perfecting your hair color with toning. Toning is a crucial step after coloring that can transform your hair from good to stunning. But you can do it yourself in between colors to keep your hair free off unwanted yellow and brassy tones. Toners also can act as a deep conditioning treatment to the hair and will guarantee shine. Let’s dive into what toning is, how it’s done, and the best toners and mixtures you can use at home.


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What is Toning?

Toning is a process used to neutralize unwanted undertones in the hair after it has been bleached or colored. It helps to achieve a more natural, balanced, and desirable shade. Whether you're aiming for cool, ashy blondes or rich, vibrant brunettes, toning ensures that your color looks polished and harmonious.




Have you ever seen the people in Walmart who you can tell lightened their hair at home, because it is that big bird yellow, or has that nasty orange hue? Well, that is completely normal and part of the science behind the hair lightening process, but the Walmart goer either missed the step of toning or doesn't understand how toning works in order to achieve the desired look, hence the reason it still is ugly yellow or nasty orange, or both! That happens to us professionals because of the laws of science, and the color wheel, but the missed step the professionals do that the general public doesn't is toning and toning correctly.


How Toning Works



When hair is lightened, it often reveals underlying pigments that can range from yellow to orange or even red, depending on your natural hair color. Toning involves applying a color product that counteracts these unwanted tones using the principles of the color wheel. The biggest and most seen mistake for when a toner "doesn't work" is because the stylist used the WRONG LEVEL. In hair coloring there are 2 major things to understand.

Generally speaking, when looking at color you always see a number (1-10) and a letter (yes, some color lines use all numbers). The number on the box represents the lightness/darkness of the color. 1= The darkest aka: black and level 10 and up= blonde. So the higher the number the lighter the color.


VIVITONE Permanent Cream Color 10N (Extra Light Blonde)

Typically you have a letter or a set of two letters, for example 6N or 5WG or 9NA. The letters represent the actual pigment N=natural/brown M=Mahogany NA= Natural Ash. You need to understand this because you need to make sure you choose the RIGHT LEVEL AND the right tones. If you put to light of a level, no matter what the color, it will NOT do anything aka "it didn't work". No, it's because you most likely used to high of a level to tone with. Make sure you are following MFG of products as far as mixing ratio's and don't leave covers off tops of anything, developers can oxidize, colors can go bad, and inhibit results. If you rinse out your bleach job and your "blonde" is a level 8 you have to put a level 8 or lower on for it to cut (tone) the un-wanted orange/yellow you are seeing.


Understand The Color Wheel- How you pick a toner | These are laws, not rules, they can not be broken

The color wheel is a fundamental tool in color theory that helps understand how different colors interact with each other. Here’s a quick overview:




  • Opposites Neutralize: Colors opposite each other on the color wheel neutralize each other. For example, purple neutralizes yellow, so when big bird yellow walks in she needs to know she forgot to put the purple on her hair, but again remember it has to be the right level! Blue neutralizes orange, and green neutralizes red.

  • Harmonizing Tones: By using the correct toner, you can harmonize your hair color, making it look more even and professionally done.


Steps for Toning Your Hair at Home


Diane Applicator Bottle for Hair Styling and Coloring – Large - 10”, 16oz Capacity – Clear – D855

  1. Choose the Right Toner: Select a toner based on the unwanted undertones you want to neutralize. For example, if your hair has yellow undertones, a purple toner will work best. If you have orange undertones, opt for a blue toner. PICK THE CORRECT LEVEL, aka the number on the box. Higher the number, lighter the color. If you put to light of a toner on it will not do anything. A toner should be a semi or demi and if you need to break the rules and use a permanent color, use a 5 or 10 developer.

  2. Prepare Your Hair: Wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo to remove any product buildup. Towel dry your hair so it is damp but not dripping wet. If you hair is porous i would recommend a very light coat of conditioner & rinse so the toner has an even canvas to work on.

  3. Mix the Toner: Follow the instructions on your toner’s packaging. Toners are mixed with a processing liquid or 3%, 5%, or 10V developer depending on color line in a 1:1, 1:1.5, 1:2 ratio (one part toner to two parts developer).

  4. Apply the Toner: Section your hair for even application. You can use a brush and metallic bowl with the rubber bottom (must have so you don't spill) to apply the toner mixture, you can apply roots to the ends or you might have to customize your application with starting where the hair is less porous and working your way to the fragile, super light pieces last. Ensure all strands are covered. You can also apply the toner in the shower on wet, towel, dried hair with a bottle (this is usually how I do it in the salon at the shampoo bowl) Depending on desired results will determine if you apply on wet or dry hair and how long you leave it on. Me using Redken in the salon, I literally watch it change before my eyes and when I start to see it grab the hue of the toner is when I rinse it out. Some toners might need to be left on the full duration of the MFG instructions. Once you start to play around with the brand of your choice you will learn and be able to tweak timing, mixture, lightness etc... Toners aren't something you need to get pressed about it if doesn't turn out exactly just perfect, it fades pretty quick and with hot water and a couple washes you can go ahead and try another concoction WITHOUT having to lighten it again, unless of course your goal is to be lighter. You can use Clairol Professional BW2+ Extra Strength Powder Lightener, Up to 9 Levels of Lift for Hair Highlights & Lightening with 20V,30V, or 40V

  5. Process the Toner: Depending on the color line and type of product you choose will depend on the time. My personal favorite for both amazing results and the timing is almost instant is Redken Shades EQ. I do this 99% of the time on wet hair at the shampoo bowl on damp towel dried hair and I literally watch it change before my eyes. When I start to see the hue of the toner start to grab I start rinsing it out (again depending on desired results. Some people really like that ashy, silver, purple the toner sometimes grabs, so if you are one of them let that toner sit! The neat thing with toners, but also can be annoying, is when you find one you like, they aren't permeant and will last about 4 weeks depending on how much you wash you hair, water temperature you use (use cold), and the products you use. Some toners will need to process for the full recommended time, usually between 10-30 minutes others might change in only a few minutes. Keep an eye on the color development to avoid over-toning.

  6. Rinse and Condition: Rinse the toner out thoroughly with cool water. Follow up with a deep conditioner to restore moisture and smoothness to your hair.


Best Toners and Toning Mixtures


Professional Toners

  1. Redken Shades EQ: A demi-permanent gloss that enhances and corrects color while adding shine. HANDS DOWN MY FAVORITE! Some of my favorites and always have on had are the P's, V's, GI's, T's, B's, AG's and I get them in levels 7 and up. For example 9V, 10GI, 8T mixed with Shades EQ Processing Liquid, equal parts. I use a bottle at the shampoo on wet hair 99% of the time to do this step. It is like the icing on the cake. Sending a client out the door with raw hi-lights just isn't' in the cards for me.

  2. Wella Color Charm Toner: Available in a variety of shades to neutralize different undertones. T18 Lightest Ash Blonde is popular for eliminating yellow tones. You see this all over tiktok, IG, etc.... this is a good choice IF your hair is light enough! and if you are WANTING Ash blonde. T18 is designed to neutralize yellow undertones in bleached hair, transforming it into a cool, ash blonde. It’s often referred to as the "go-to" toner for achieving a platinum or silver blonde look. Just know the hair has to be light enough for this to work!


At Home Toners For The Perfect Blonde

  1. Wella Color Charm Permanent Liquid Toners, an essential tool for toning hair and neutralizing unwanted brassiness, If your hair is pre-lightened to the proper level. These professional-grade toners are ideal for achieving cool, ashy blonde tones and enhancing overall hair color. Perfect for use after bleaching, they provide consistent, vibrant results while conditioning your hair. Easy to apply and long-lasting,


  1. These are where you find your very popular T14 (cancels out orange tones), T18 (cancels out yellow tones), and the secret weapon no one tells you to do is always add a dash of T30 (makes sure your toner doesn't grab that purple/gray hue of the toner, also helps the toner last longer). There is are 12 T shades to choose from. To use the Wella Color Charm T series and have them "work" your hair HAS to be at at least a level 9 if not a 10 or above in my professional opinion. These are pure toners they don't have a base level to them. Along with that goes, the lighter and more porous (dry/damaged) your hair is the more the toner is going to grab. So if you like silver/purple/blue hair look you have to have your hair extremely light and than put the T18 or T14, or mix equal parts of both, on and I would leave it on longer than you think, to really get that silver/blue/violet to show. If your hair grabs it and its a little too much it will fade, trust me, and it will fade fast, because of the integrity, or lack of, of your hair. Hot water and some over the counter shampoo will strip that right out or put a dash of T30 in your toner mixture to make sure it doesn't grab that hue and the T30 makes the toner last longer. Mixing Ratio is 1:2 meaning 1 part color to 2 parts developer. Example: 10 gram color mixed with 20 grams developer. The Wella Color Toners need to be mixed with Color Charm Developer, and I don't care what they tell you, use 10V if they had a 5V I would tell you to use that.


2. Seeing as the T18, T14 Wella Color Toners won't always get you your desired results, you could use number 2 below, Clairol Professional Permanent Creme Hair Color.

Clairol Professional Permanent Crème or Liquid Hair Color   Clairol Professional Permanent Crème and liquid Hair Color, perfect for toning hair and achieving long-lasting, vibrant color. This crème formula provides excellent cuts unwanted tones while conditioning your hair for a healthy shine. Ideal for both subtle toning and dramatic color changes, it's easy to apply and ensures consistent, salon-quality results at home. Enhance and maintain your hair color effortlessly with Clairol Professional Permanent Crème Hair Color. With Clairol Professional Permanents you can CHOOSE a LEVEL with a TONE. I always mix more than one, and sometimes several, levels and tones to reach desired result. Always think cool tones, so your violets, steal, titanium, pearls, ashes, blues, etc.... Some colors/toners that will come in handy when toning hair that is ANY level. All levels of hair can be toned, it just is very common and trendy to hear people talk and make videos on toning their "blonde" hair.




The trickiest part of picking a toner and where I see people go wrong is using a toner that is to light of a pigment for the canvas aka their hair they are working on. Imagine taking a orange color paper and putting a super light almost clear violet light color paint to it. What is going to happen? Probably not much because the paper is to dark for the light purple (aka your toner) to show up So to eliminate that from happening the LEVEL (1-10) needs to be precise if not a touch darker than you may think. If you rinse your hair after bleaching and it is a level 7/8 orange yellow you HAVE TO USE A LEVEL 7 toner or it will not do anything. Color doesn't lift color. In this case you could use a level 7 with tones of blues/ashes and at a level 7, when you are done toning, you are going to be a light ashy brown not blonde. Even at a level 8 you will still see brown. Its not until the hair is at that level 9 yellow or above that you truly get a blonde. Popular colors for toning are 8A ,10V ,8GN ,5A,12A,3V be careful with the lower level (number) colors, people use those very diluted and you need to do the same or you will be putting pigment back into your freshly lightened hair.




I always have in my arsenal at the salon (mine in the salon are Redken or Milkshake): If you are advanced and understand mixing you can always make a 9 with equal parts of 10 and 8, therefore you wouldn't have to buy the 9. Same goes for any level equal parts of 3 and 5 will make a 4, make since?

Here are some levels and tones I personally use behind the chair- these are Redken. I also always mix 1-4 different colors/levels together depending on what unwanted tones and level I am cancelling out.

  1. 10VV,10V, 9V, 8VV,8V, 7V

  2. 10P, 9P, 8P, 7P

  3. 10GI, 9GI,8GI,7GI

  4. 10T, 9T, 8T, 7T

  5. 10B, 9B,8B,7B,

  6. 10A,9A,8A,7,A

  7. 10NB,9NB,8NB,7NB

  • I always have CLEAR incase I don't have the level or tone I need and have to dilute it.



DIY Toning Mixtures

  1. Purple Shampoo and Conditioner: For maintenance between toning sessions, use purple shampoo and conditioner to keep yellow tones at bay.

  2. Homemade Toner: Mix a few drops of purple or blue food coloring with your conditioner for a quick and easy toner.



Tips for Successful Toning at Home

  • Strand Test: Always perform a strand test before applying toner to your entire head to ensure you achieve the desired result. I can not express how important this is and how much doing this can end up saving your hair. Also, remember that these toners are not permanent so if you do put one on and you hate it, DO NOT go bleaching the toner out. You will 100% fry your hair. Wash that shit with dawn dish soap and hot water a couple times, give it a week with a couple extra days of shampooing and it will be gone.

  • Timing is Key: Be mindful of the processing time to avoid over-toning, which can lead to an undesirable color. This is when you see the silvers, purples, blues, grab to the hair. It typically happens to the very lightest pieces and/or the very porous areas. Put the toner on these areas last, or put a little conditioner on these areas so they soak up the toner less, or embrace the extra cool tones for a week and get a little more life out of the toner.

  • Regular Maintenance: Incorporate toning into your regular hair care routine to keep your color looking fresh and vibrant. If you love the color you already have but want the benefits of shine, and health of a toner most every color line carries a clear gloss for this purpose.



By understanding the basics of toning and using the right products and techniques, you can achieve salon-quality results at home. Happy toning! Pick the right level!

Have a question? Leave it below or email us at sakarihairsociety@aol.com




 


 
 
 

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