The Ultimate Guide to At-Home Hair Toners: Our Top 20 Picks for Easy and Perfect Results

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on hair toner at home! If you’re tired of spending a fortune on salon treatments or wish to explore DIY alternatives, then you’re in the right place. In this roundup article, we’ve gathered the top at-home hair toner options that are both effective and budget-friendly. Discover the best solutions for achieving your desired hair color and maintaining that perfect shade at home, right here.

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Reviews

Easy-to-Apply Shrine Rose Hair Toner for Lightened Hair

Transform your hair’s look without a trip to the salon with Shrine’s Drop It Toner in Rose. Cancel out those unwanted brass or yellow tones with red pigmented drops, adjustable to your desired shade. Simply mix the drops with your preferred conditioner and apply to damp, freshly washed hair for 10 minutes before rinsing. Complete your at-home hair transformation with a vegan and cruelty-free toning experience.

Splat Brilliant Conditioning Toning Foam - Mushroom Brown

Transform your blonde locks in just minutes with the easy-to-use Splat Brilliant Conditioning Toning Foam. This weightless, mess-free toner is perfect for neutralizing unwanted undertones and adding pastel hues in no time. Formulated with a protein complex to help increase moisture, strengthen, and repair hair while enhancing vibrancy and shine, you can say goodbye to dull hair. The mushroom brown toner creates a stunning beige blonde look, making it ideal for highlighted hair and pre-lightened blondes. Simply apply the foam on wet or dry hair for a pearlescent effect that’s sure to turn heads.

Shimmer Lights Platinum Ice Hair Dye: Permanent Cream Toner

Experience the ultimate blonde transformation with Shimmer Lights Platinum Ice Permanent Cream Toner. This game-changing toner neutralizes brass and delivers cool blonde results with an incredible shine. The silky consistency ensures easy application without dripping, while the 10 Vol Cream Developer mix makes the perfect consistency for optimal toning results. Simply apply to towel-dried hair, process for 15-30 minutes, and rinse. Follow with Shimmer Lights ShampooShampoo & Conditioner for a complete salon-like experience. Embrace the perfect shade of cool blonde with Shimmer Lights Platinum Ice Permanent Cream Toner.

Clairol Professional Iridescent Emerald Blonde Toner Kit

Clairol’s Iridescent Emerald Blonde It Up Toner Kit is a must-have for everyone looking to boost their blonde with a pearlescent veil of color. Its high-gloss shine adds intensity while reducing brassiness, all without the presence of ammonia. This toner gently conditioned hair, making it smooth and silky for up to three weeks. However, some customers have reported that the product was too darkening and didn’t give the desired light blonde finish.

dpHUE Gloss+ Semi-Permanent Chocolate Cherry Hair Color & Deep Conditioner

dpHUE Gloss+ is a game-changer in the hair color world. It’s semi-permanent, deep conditioning hair color in a bottle that you apply to your damp hair, leave on for a while and rinse out. Not only does it boost your current hair color by adding shine, but it also hydrates your hair and makes it look super soft and shiny. No harsh chemicals like peroxide or ammonia, just your hair looking healthy and fresh. The product is designed to enhance, not change, your hair color. So, if you need a color boost or want to deepen your hair color, this is the perfect solution for you. dpHUE Gloss+ is cruelty-free, vegan and available in 11 different shades. It’s like a color-booster in a bottle, perfect for when you want a quick color boost or to add extra shine.

Wella ColorCharm Permanent Creme Toner: Neutralize Brassiness and Elevate Your Blonde Hair

Achieve stunning blonde tones with Wella ColorCharm Permanent Crème Toners. These cutting-edge toners boast an 8-shade range and are backed by the creators of the #1 permanent toner in the US. Neutralize brassiness and enhance your blonde with up to 90% less breakage, allowing you to elevate your hair game effortlessly. Perfect your blonde with this versatile and effective formula, now with Gelfuse Technology for long-lasting results.

Vanilla Crème Permanent Hair Toner for Ash Blonde

Revamp your hair with the Wella Color Tango Vanilla Crème, a permanent toner that provides easy and even application. Featuring Even Tone Technology, this creamy toner lifts and tones in one simple step, giving you smooth, shiny, blended results. Choose from cool or warm shades to neutralize unwanted warmth after lightening and achieve salon-quality hair at home.

Clairol Blonde It Up Ash Blonde Luminous Pearl Toner

Say goodbye to harsh bleaching with Clairol’s advanced Blonde It Up Crystal Glow Toner. This revolutionary toner gently lifts hair up to 5 levels, leaving it conditioned and glossy without the use of bleach. Simply follow the enclosed leaflet for instructions and pair it with the Shimmer Lights Conditioner to maintain brightness on your lightened hair. Get ready to turn heads with your radiant new look!

BlondMe Toner: Strawberry by Schwarzkopf - Blonde Color Enhancing Permanent Dye

Achieve the perfect blonde look with Schwarzkopf’s BlondMe Blonde Lifting Strawberry toner, now available in 60 ml. This unique formula, containing the integrated Bond Enforcing HydroLock Technology, lifts your hair up to 5 levels while neutralizing unwanted warm tones. Ideal for use with applicator paddles or bottles, the luxurious gel-cream consistency makes it easy to apply and distribute evenly for a flawless finish. Enjoy a wide range of natural shades and the versatility of mixing colors, all within a pH-neutral formula that protects your hair from damage and new bonds. Experience the ultimate blonde transformation with BlondMe Toning’s innovative toner.

Redken Shades EQ Color Gloss for Merlot Hair

Redken’s Shades EQ Merlot hair gloss, packed in a 2 oz bottle, brings a rich and radiant color to your strands. This salon-professional hair care product is a 100% genuine demi-permanent hair color, known for its gentle processing that leaves hair with outstanding condition and shine. Suitable for both professionals and enthusiasts alike, Shades EQ is a versatile color choice offering a variety of shade options to keep your locks looking their best.

Wella Color Charm Creme Toner for Muted Rose Blonde Hair

Experience the effortless transformation of your blonde hair with the Wella Color Charm Creme Toner 2 Oz Muted Rose. This crème toner not only neutralizes brass but also ensures up to 90% less breakage, leaving you with a perfectly even shade from root to end. With a selection of 4 icy blonde and 4 pastel blonde tones, you can express your creativity with subtle to bold blonde looks. The Wella colorcharm liquid toner is known for its long-lasting, gentle, and effective results, making it a go-to choice for those seeking a high-quality toner.

Wella Color Charm Lightest Beige Blonde Hair Toning Solution

Discover the transformative power of Wella T11, the lightest beige blonde liquid hair toner. This fade-resistant toner is all about delivering stunningly vibrant color that’s long-lasting and true to tone. Say goodbye to warm tones after lightening and embrace the glossy, healthy hair you’ve always wanted. Whether you have darker hair or are after a delicate blonde shade, Wella T11 delivers the seamless application and even color you deserve. Turn heads and make a statement with this remarkable toner.

Wella Color Charm Liquid Hair Toner for Double Process Blonde Hair

The Wella Color Charm Permanent Toner is a popular choice for achieving vibrant and fade-resistant blonde tones. This toner works wonders on naturally blonde or prelightened hair, correcting unwanted warmth and creating delicate shades like platinum and beige. With its easy-to-use liquid form and compatibility with the Wella Color Charm 20 Volume Cream Developer, this toner is perfect for creating pure double-process blonde hair color results. Users appreciate its easy application and long-lasting color, making it a top-rated pick among blonde toners in the market.

Gentle Silver Mist for Blonde Tones

The Wella ColorCharm T12 Silver Mist Permanent Crème Toner is a game-changer for blonde enthusiasts. Not only does it neutralize brass, but it also promises up to 90% less breakage, offering exceptional gentleness and effectiveness. This toner is perfect for those with naturally blonde or pre-lightened hair, ensuring a shiny, healthy-looking finish. The creamy formula boasts an easy application process, while its scent adds an enjoyable touch.

L’oreal Feria Ash Blonde Ice Blonde Demi-Permanent Toner

In this roundup, we’ve got a standout product - L’oreal Feria Demi-Permanent Toner Power Toner in Ash Blonde. This toner is all about longevity. It keeps brass away for up to three weeks, perfect for those in-between salon visits. In just 5 short minutes, it reduces unwanted orange and yellow tones, delivering a gorgeously cool tone. It doesn’t hurt that it’s ammonia-free and super gentle. The built-in conditioning polymers make your strands softer, smoother, and shinier. And worry not, even though it’s fast and effective, you won’t find any messy clean-up in this product. It works for all hair types and textures, making it the go-to for natural light blonde tones to the most vibrant bleach highlights. And don’t worry about grays - this toner will focus on brass instead. The results may vary depending on your hair condition, but overall, it’s a great option for those looking for a long-lasting anti-brass solution.

Wella Radiant Lilac Toner for Ash Blonde Hair

Transform your blonde locks to shine like never before with Wella Colorcharm’s Radiant Lilac Permanent Crème Toner. This high-quality product not only neutralizes warmth but also protects your hair, reducing breakage by 90%. Its wide range of applications allows it to work wonders on both naturally blonde and pre-lightened hair. Enjoy the freedom of color without worrying about harsh chemicals, as it is free from animal-derived ingredients, parabens, gluten, and phthalates. Its pleasant scent and easy-to-apply formula make it a must-have for anyone seeking that perfect blonde glow. Don’t miss out on the chance to discover your best blonde with Radiant Lilac Toner!

Wella Color Charm Blonde Toner - Pale Beige

Wella Color Charm Permanent Liquid Hair Toner offers a range of natural-looking shades, such as the T15 Pale Beige Blonde toner. Its Liquifuse technology ensures vibrant, fade-resistant color that can be easily customized by blending different shades. A gentle, extra mild formulation designed for delicate blonde shades makes this toner an excellent choice for toning double-processed blondes. Users appreciate its long-lasting, consistent results and the ease of application, while noting that proper developer ratios and heat treatment are essential for achieving the desired outcome.

Intense Pearl Grey Blonde Toner by Wella Color Charm

Introducing the Wella Color Charm Creme Toner in Pearl Gray, a game-changer for blonde locks. This 4.1-rated toner boasts 816 reviews, and it’s easy to see why - its gentle, even application leaves you with vibrant shades and up to 90% less breakage. Free of gluten, phthalates, parabens, and animal-derived ingredients, this toner is perfect for those seeking a more natural alternative. With 8 NEW permanent crème toner shades, you can experiment with icy blonde tones or pastel enhancers, creating the perfect look for your blonde locks. It’s no wonder this toner is the #1 permanent toner in the US!

Color Charm Wella Lightest Ash Blonde Toner

Experience the long-lasting, fade-resistant results of Wella’s T18 color toner. Ideal for delicate shades of blonde, this toner’s gentle formula promises even application and deep conditioning of your hair. With its attractive scent and high rating, this T18 blonde toner is a popular choice for those seeking a vibrant, natural-looking color.

Wella Color Charm Pale Ash Blonde Toner for Blonde Hair

Introducing the Wella T14 Pale Ash Blonde toner, a true game-changer for blonde hair. This long-lasting, fade-resistant toner delivers vibrant results and exceptional coverage for gray hair. With its gentle formula and deep conditioning properties, it leaves your hair feeling soft and nourished. The soothing floral fragrance adds a touch of luxury to every use. Although easy to apply, this is a product for the pros to enjoy its full potential. Remember to pre-lighten your hair, follow the necessary precautions, and take proper care after use. This Wella Color Charm toner promises to brighten your hair and leaves you with luscious, brassy-free locks.

Buyer’s Guide

Welcome to our comprehensive buyer’s guide for hair toners that can be used at home. In this section, we will discuss important features, considerations, and general advice to help you make an informed decision when choosing a hair toner for your at-home use.

Understanding Hair Toners

Hair toners are designed to enhance or modify the color of your hair. They work by depositing pigments onto the hair shaft, which helps to fill any gaps or inconsistencies in your hair’s natural color. Hair toners can be used to achieve various color effects, including covering gray hair, adding depth to your hair, or creating new shades altogether.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Hair Toner

When selecting a hair toner for at-home use, consider the following factors to ensure the best results for your hair type and desired outcome. These include: color range, developer type and strength, product formula, and application instructions. Additionally, consider factors like your budget and your hair’s condition, as some toners may be more suitable for damaged hair or those with color-treated hair.

Tips for Using Hair Toners at Home

Using hair toners at home requires some degree of caution and preparation. Always perform a patch test before applying the product to your hair, and ensure you have a good understanding of your hair’s current color and desired end result. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully, and use gloves to protect your hands and nails from any staining. Lastly, consider consulting a professional hair stylist if you are unsure about your hair toning abilities to ensure the best outcome for your hair.

Popular Brands and Products

While we cannot list specific product picks here, there are many well-established brands and products in the hair toner market that cater to various hair types and color needs. Some popular brands include Wella, L’Oreal, Schwarzkopf, and Matrix. It is essential to research and read reviews of the products you are interested in to determine their compatibility with your hair type and desired results.

FAQ

What is a hair toner at home?

A hair toner at home is a product designed to correct hair color imperfections. It is usually available in a liquid or creamy formula and comes in various shades to blend with your natural hair color or cover up existing dye. At-home hair toners are cost-effective, easy to use, and provide a convenient alternative to salon visits.

Different hair toner brands cater to different needs, targeting specific color correction issues or focusing on natural ingredients. They often come with instruction guidelines to help you achieve the desired results without any hassle. Hair toners can help enhance color vibrancy or neutralize unwanted colors, leaving your hair looking healthy and radiant.

How can I choose the right hair toner shade?

Choosing the right hair toner shade can be based on your desired outcome, your natural hair color, and any existing hair dye. At-home hair toners are typically available in a range of shades, which are color-coded for easy identification. You should consider the shade that matches your current hair color, as this will help create a natural-looking and blended result.

If you’re looking for a lighter shade, your toner should be close in color to your natural hair color or a shade darker. If you’re aiming for a darker shade, choose a toner that is at least one shade lighter than your desired result. Remember to assess the condition of your hair and its porosity, as this can affect the overall color outcome.

What should I use to apply hair toner at home?

To apply hair toner at home, you will need a few tools and supplies: a hair toner applicator brush or comb, gloves, a shower cap or plastic wrap, and a towel. Make sure to follow the instructions on the hair toner packaging, as some products may require a patch test to minimize the risk of irritation.

First, prepare your hair by shampooing and conditioning it. Towel-dry it gently, but ensure it is not too damp. Apply the hair toner evenly to your hair using the applicator brush or comb, focusing on the areas that need color correction. Make sure to avoid over-applying or dipping your fingers into the toner.

How long should I leave hair toner on for the best results?

The duration for which you should leave hair toner on depends on the product and your hair’s needs. Most at-home hair toners suggest a specific time range, which is typically between 10 to 30 minutes. Leaving the hair toner on for too long or too little can impact the final color result. Remember that longer exposure times may result in a more vibrant color, while shorter exposure times may lead to a less intense color change.

To achieve the best results, use a timer and follow the instructions provided by the hair toner manufacturer. Ensure that the hair toner has completely processed and is no longer dripping before you rinse it out. Rinsing it out too early may affect the final color outcome, while leaving it on for too long can cause damage to your hair.

How often should I use hair toner at home?

For optimal use and to minimize hair damage, it is advisable to use hair toner at home no more than once every four to six weeks. Excessive use of hair toners can negatively impact the health of your hair. It is also essential to consider the amount of time you can dedicate to hair coloring activities.

Regular hair toning sessions can help maintain even and balanced color, keeping your hair looking vibrant and fresh. However, it is vital to give your hair a break between sessions, as over-toning can lead to brittleness or even breakage. Follow the instructions on the hair toner packaging and be mindful of your hair’s condition to avoid damaging its natural health.

What should I do if I have color buildup or unwanted tones in my hair?

If you have unwanted color buildup or tones in your hair after using hair toner at home, there are a few things you can do to rectify the situation. Firstly, it is crucial to shampoo your hair gently using a clarifying shampoo that can help remove any excess color or buildup. This may help revive the quality of your hair, albeit not as the intended color change.

If the unwanted tone persists, you may need to consult with a professional hair colorist to have the tone corrected. They will not only provide advice on the best method to address the color buildup but can also recommend the right hair toner to target the specific unwanted tone. In some cases, a single visit to a professional hair colorist could be more effective in achieving the desired outcome compared to multiple at-home hair toning sessions.

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