How To Apply Toner To Bleached Hair

If you have ever had your hair bleached at a salon, then you understand how vital a toner can be. Not only will a toner take down the brassiness that many people experience with bleached hair, but done correctly, it can have a significant impact on the results that you may experience.

When it comes to applying bleach to toned hair, there are three main steps that you need to know:

  • Rinse all bleach out of your hair
  • Remove extra water from your hair by using a towel
  • Follow the toner package instructions and apply it to your hair

While it may seem easy, many additional steps can make or break your results. Not all toners are created equal, and there are many tips and tricks along the way. Let’s talk more about applying toner to bleached hair to help you get the results that you are seeking.

How Do You Use Toner After Bleach?

Toning is the next step after you initially bleach your hair. There are three main steps to apply toner to bleached hair. Depending on if you are having toner applied by a professional or at home, the amount of time the process takes may vary.

Here are the three main steps to apply toner to your hair.

  • Once your bleach has developed, rinse all of the remaining bleach out of your hair. This may take a few rinses to ensure that it has all been removed.
  • Using a towel, remove any excess water. You can twist your hair up with the towel or blot it out. This also would be a great time to read the instructions on your toner package.
  • Following the instructions on the toner you have selected, apply the toner to all areas of your hair, making sure to apply as evenly as possible. Check the toner instructions to see how long it needs to be left on. Rinse all of the toner from your hair.

An important thing to remember is that many toners will work differently depending on the type of hair you have, the color you are going for, and even the brand that makes it. If you are toning your hair at home, you may want to read reviews or consult with a professional before proceeding.

If you have a toner professionally done at your local salon, the stylists will typically apply toner after rinsing your hair. If you are only having toner applied to certain areas of your hair, they may choose to brush the solution on at the chair with a brush for accuracy and wrap your hair in foil to process.

What You Need to Know About Toner

For those looking for a specific hair color, toning can be one of the quickest and easiest ways to get there. A toner is essentially a semi-permanent hair dye that can alter your overall hair’s color or specific sections of your hair, such as highlights or lowlights.

When it comes to using toner on bleached hair, your hair will reach a certain level from 1-10. A toner is ideal to use if you are looking to remove any warmth from your hair. Depending on the toner you used, your hair type and color, and what you are going for, the color wheel is necessary to balance out certain undertones in your hair.

Can You Apply Toner to Wet or Dry Hair?

We have mentioned applying toner after rinsing, but that does not necessarily mean you have to apply toner to wet hair. Some people swear by placing toner on dry hair, but there is an ideal time to apply toner to your bleached hair.

You want your hair to be almost dry, but there needs to be some moisture still there. You can achieve this by blotting your hair with a towel to remove excess water and maybe even letting it air dry for a little while as well.

Here are some tips for toners.

  • Rinse your hair with a conditioner after applying toner.
  • Have your first session done by a professional for the best results.
  • Your hair should be at least 70% dry when toner is applied.

Being a little off when applying toner is fine, but don’t be afraid to re-wet your hair if necessary.

Which Type of Toner Should You Be Using?

The age-old question for most people is what kind of toner they should be using. If you are new to having bleached hair, it may seem a bit overwhelming. The toner you use will have a direct result on the outcome that you can expect.

Here are a few things you need to know about selecting the proper toner:

  • Natural or Bleach blondes can often get away with using purple shampoo.
  • If you are coming from a darker shade, you may need an ammonia-based toner.

Choosing the wrong type of toner can lead to it being not effective, or it doing more damage than necessary!

How to Know What Ammonia-Based Toner to Use

Ammonia-based toners work in a unique way. They use color that dyes the strands of hair it touches. This is where the whole idea of color theory comes into play in a hair salon. Choosing the wrong toner can ruin the color and leave you having to use additional products on your hair.

Here are some essential toner color tips.

  • Removing orange tones? Use blue toner for ashy blonde results.
  • Removing yellow tone? Use a purple or violet toner for platinum blonde.

By matching the color to the type of toner, you can ensure that the color and shade turns out the way you expect.

Can Toner Damage Your Hair?

Another big question people tend to have is if toner can damage your hair. This is another loaded question because there are a lot of variables in play. If you have your toner applied by a professional and according to recommended usage, then no.

If you use a toner that is wrong for your hair or you do not follow recommended usage, yes. What can really damage your hair is what has to be done to it following a bad toner application to get it back to a nice result.

How Long Do Toners Last?

This is an interesting question because there are many different answers. On average, the answer tends to be anywhere between 4 to 8 weeks with proper hair color care.

  • Did you have it professionally done?
  • What kind of toner did you use?
  • What results were you trying to achieve?
  • What does your regular hair care routine look like?

If you do it yourself, you may see your toner fade at a quicker rate.

Should You Tone Your Hair at Home?

If you ask any hairstylist, they will tell you that color and toner are primary situations they have to fix, and it can be expensive. There is so much more to hairstyling than an excellent shampoo and cut. There is a lot of color theory that goes on behind the scenes. It can damage or even ruin your hair if you are not careful.

The easiest thing to do is to visit your local salon and talk to a stylist about what you want your hair to be like. They will tell you if they think it is possible to do it yourself or if you will need to schedule an appointment. If you are looking for specific results, it is always best to have a professional do the job.

Final Thoughts

Toners are nothing new and have been around for years. It has been the easiest and best way to get specific results from your hair salon, especially after you have bleached your hair. Applying toner has three simple steps – rinse, apply, and rinse. Although it is best to leave it to the professionals, there are many at-home toner kits on the market.

If you plan to tone your bleached hair, make sure that you know what end results you are looking for. This can ensure you are using the correct toner to avoid further damage to your hair.