The 7 Best Toners For Balayage Hair
Published by Aida Turner
Fact checked by Annie
So you finally got balayage hair? Good for you! You’ve joined the ranks of some of the most fabulous ladies (think: Jessica Alba, Cara Delevingne, Selena Gomez, and Bella Hadid).
Adding regular toning to your hair care routine is the key to maintaining your balayage hair. What is a hair toner? How do you choose the best hair toner for your balayage?
Here’s everything you need to know about hair toners, including the best hair toners for balayage hair.
Pureology Color Fanatic
- High-Gloss Hair Toner
- Targeted conditioning of roots
- Doesn’t stain hands
milk_shake Silver Shine Purple Shampoo
- Blonde Toner for Brassy Hair
- Precise color results
- 100% SLES-Free
WELLA Color Charm Hair Toner
- Easy to use
- Dimensional highlighted hair
- Soft and healthy hair
Types of Hair Toners
The three types of hair toning shampoos are permanent toner, semi-permanent toner, and demi-permanent toner. Let’s go through each of them.
Permanent Toners
Professionals use permanent hair toner to achieve a lighter color on a darker base. It is usually used by a 20-30 volume developer to remove the color fully. One thing to remember is that the stronger the developer, the harsher it is on the hair. Still, you can expect long-lasting and quick results.
Semi-Permanent Toners
A semi-permanent hair toner is a product used to change or enhance the current color of your hair. Unlike permanent hair color, which requires bleach or other chemicals to remove, semi-permanent hair color will fade over time.
Semi-permanent hair toners usually last anywhere from 6 to 12 washes and work by depositing color onto the hair shaft.
Demi-Permanent Toners
Demi-permanent toners last twice as long as semi-permanent ones. Because demi-permanent toners are usually ammonia-based, they can change the hair shaft structure from the inside, so it’s essential to be cautious when applying one.
Our Choices for the Best Hair Toners for Balayage
Below we will list our top seven choices for hair toners for balayage. We’ve researched the top products on the market to ensure that you pick the best ones for your hair.
1. Pureology Color Fanatic
Product Overview
The Pureology Color Fanatic’s color depositing formula removes brassy orange and yellow tones, while the UV filters help keep your color rich and perfect.
Pureology Color Fanatic has this deep conditioning treatment feature to help hydrate and revitalize extremely brittle hair. Its advanced strengthening benefit will also help protect your hair from breakage.
- Item form: Cream
- Hair type: Dry, Damaged, Colored, Fine hair
- Full care time: 30 minutes
It also has an anti-frizz moisturizer that will leave your hair shiny and silky smooth. Plus, its gentle detangler will boost the curls and add nice volume.
And you won’t worry about using this toning shampoo more frequently because it’s paraben-free, SLS-free, and sulfate-free.
Pros
- Strong and moisturized hair after showering
- The thick paste-like consistency allows for targeted conditioning of roots and newly dyed hair
- It doesn’t stain hands
- It doesn’t impact other sections of hair
The Cons
- It can stain your shower if you don’t wipe the residue away
2. milk_shake Silver Shine Purple Shampoo
Product Overview
Themilk_shake Silver Shine Purple Shampoo can help you achieve a variety of cool blonde hair shades. The toner comes with a sleek tint applicator brush for easy application to the hair.
- Item form: Liquid
- Hair type: Dry
- Full care time: 30 minutes
This permanent liquid hair toner can be mixed with other shades or the customizable brass kicker additive to neutralize stubborn underlying pigments on your hair.
According to reviewers, the milk_shake Silver Shine Purple Shampoo does wonders with platinum blonde, express pastel toning, intensive base breaking, and blending.
Pros
- Longer-lasting
- Precise color results
- It gets rid of unwanted brassiness
The Cons
- It has a strong smell
- Difficult to spread the toner evenly
3. WELLA Color Charm Hair Toner
Product Overview
The Wella Color Charm Permanent Liquid Hair Toner lifts unwanted color warmth after lightening the hair and because it comes in liquid form, it is quick to apply.
- Item form: Liquid
- Hair type: Aging hair
- Full care time: 30 minutes
With its liquifuse technology, the product enhances or neutralizes warm or cool tones for the naturally blonde shades. It’s made to remove the brass in your color plus you can use it with Color Charm 20 Volume Cream Developer.
Pros
- Easy to use
- It gives dimensional highlighted hair
- Leaves hair feeling soft and healthy
The Cons
- Pricey
- Comes in small bottles
- Powerful smell
4. L’Oreal Paris Feria Anti Brass Power Hair Toner
Product Overview
This ammonia-free demi-permanent toner is ideal for people with balayage hair as it helps eliminate brass and adds cool tones to reduce unwanted warmth.
The built-in conditioning polymers reinforce lightened strands for a softer, smoother, shinier blonde result.
- Item form: Liquid
- Hair type: All hair types
- Full care time: 30 minutes
L’Oreal Paris Feria Anti Brass Power Hair Toner’s high-speed technology delivers a gorgeous cooling tone in as little as 5 minutes. With just one application, it reduces unwanted orange and brassy yellow tones for up to 3 weeks., making it suitable for in-between salon visits.
This liquid toner shampoo can be used on all hair types and textures. You can use it if you have color-treated hair, salon highlights, and even hombre. It won’t lift or shift your hair color and won’t cover gray hair.
Pros
- It leaves the hair super soft and silky after using
- The product is easy to use
- Professional results
- Does not leave brassiness behind
The Cons
- Pricey
- Comes in small bottles only
- Can make hair frizzier
5. Manic Panic Virgin Snow Hair Toner
Product Overview
Manic Panic Virgin Snow Hair Toner removes brassy tones on the lightest level ten blonde.
Additionally, it doubles as a deep toning conditioner while dyeing your hair, which can help keep your hair healthy and hydrated.
- Item form: Cream
- Hair type: All hair type
- Full care time: 30 minutes
This toning shampoo will also double as a deep-toned conditioner while dying your hair.
With this toner, you can create a cool-toned canvas that can give you better results before using hair dye with bright colors or simply brightening your blonde. Virgin Snow can also help maintain the brightness of your blonde hair between colorings.
As it is PPD and ammonia-free, this hair toner is gentle enough for use on balayage hair. This product is also animal cruelty-free and vegan-friendly.
Pros
- Doesn’t damage your hair
- Doesn’t leave purple or violet pigments
- It keeps your hair from falling out
- It keeps your hair soft after use
The Cons
- Not suitable for natural blonde hair
- Comes in small bottles only
6. Blond Forte Hair Toner
Product Overview
The Blond Forte Hair Toner contains coconut oil to help lock in moisture, leaving your hair feeling soft, healthy, and resilient.
This hair toner is easy to use and apply and lightens hair up to 7 levels without damaging it. It is suitable for all hair types, including Afro-textured hair, or kinky hair.
- Item form: Powder
- Hair type: All hair types
- Full care time: 30 minutes
With its Quad-Lightening Complex, this toner ensures effective and consistent hair lightening, while the Anti-Yellow Molecules help reduce orange or yellow tones during coloring.
This toning shampoo also comes with a money-back guarantee so that you can feel confident in your purchase.
Pros
- Protecting oil system that locks in moisture
- Easy to apply
- Won’t damage hair
- Pleasant coconut fragrance
The Cons
- It might stain your hands
7. BOLD UNIQ Blonde Toner Spray
Product Overview
The BOLD UNIQ Blonde Toner Spray is designed to target unwanted yellow tones in blonde, platinum, and gray or silver hair.
The spray has powerful pigments that neutralize unwanted tones without saturating the hair.
- Item form: Spray
- Hair type: All hair type
- Full care time: 30 minutes
Using its Violet Technology, this toner spray contains violet pigments that help eliminate brassy tones. It contains coconut, jojoba, and marula oil to help detangle and smooth your hair to avoid breakage and damage.
Plus, its healthy levels of purple pigment help preserve your cool blonde hair.
This toning shampoo is also cruelty-free and vegan.
Pros
- It keeps hair lightweight and manageable
- Improves hair vibrance and enhances shine
- Safely and effectively lifts hair to a more natural color
- Easy to apply
- Reasonable price
The Cons
- Must be purchased in packs to lighten your hair shade
Conclusion
Balayage hair is a beautiful, natural-looking way to lighten your locks, but it takes some extra care and know-how to get the desired results. One of the ways to ensure that your color stays looking fresh and vibrant for weeks or even months at a time is by using a hair toning product.
We’ve listed the seven best hair toners you can consider using here. Choosing the best toner can be challenging, but you may find that the process can be pretty fun and exciting.
Suppose you want to do more research or experiment to find the perfect one for you; go for it. And remember, if you’re ever unsure about which product is right for you, always consult with a professional colorist.
Good luck, and we hope you find the best hair color that will make you feel more comfortable about yourself.
Best Hair Toners FAQs
Below, we will answer some of the most burning questions regarding hair toners.
What Does Toning Do to Balayage?
Toners can be used to correct unwanted brassy tones or orange tones in bleached hair. They can also be used to enhance the tones of your balayage, giving it a richer, more dimensional look.
Basically, you use hair toner to add or remove the color from your hair, giving you more control over the final result.
For example, if you want your balayage color-treated hair to be more subtle, you could opt for a lighter-toned color. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a more dramatic effect, a darker tone could be the way to go.
See also:
Should You Get Toner With Balayage?
Yes. Toner is an essential part of the balayage process and is a crucial way to maintain color-treated hair because it helps to enhance the colors and add depth to the overall look.
It can also help make your hair color last longer. Toners can also help to combat brassy tones and keep your hair looking healthy and shiny.
For How Long Does a Toner Last in Your Hair?
It depends on several factors, including the type of toner you’re using, sun exposure, pollution, and how often you wash your hair. Generally speaking, though, you can expect a toner to last anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks.
For long-lasting results, choose the best toners and use them as directed.
Pureology Color Fanatic
- High-Gloss Hair Toner
- Hair Glaze for Color-Treated Hair
- For Auburn and Red Hair
Aida
Founder & Hair Beauty Specialist
I’m Aida and this is my blog where I write mostly about beauty and make up related stuff, but I like to spice it up a bit with lifestyle and photography posts. Or with whatever that comes to my mind. Hope you will enjoy the reading enough that we will ‘see’ each other more often!