A hair toner is used after bleaching hair to neutralize and remove brassy (yellow/orange/red) shades, keeping the blonde color intact. Wella hair toner is also used to brighten or deepen a shade of blonde after hair coloring. Beige toner is great for getting rid of rusty-looking yellow and orange tones, while ash toner has a tendency to make hair gray. Regular use helps keep the unattractive brassiness at bay.
Choose a toner that suits your particular shade of hair. If your hair is medium brown to black, you will need to use peroxide to lift the color before you can dye it blonde. Darker hair has a tendency to turn brassy, so you will need a blue-based toner to neutralize the yellow/orange color. If your hair is dark blonde to light brown, you will need an ash or golden toner to brighten or deepen your blonde color.
Mix the Wella hair toner. Combine 1 part toner with 2 parts 20-volume developer, and blend them together with a brush. If your Wella toner comes with a 10 volume developer, mix in 1 part toner and 4 parts 10-volume developer.
Shampoo your hair, then apply the Wella hair toner onto strands that require it the most. To avoid getting the toner on strands that don't need it, apply some hair conditioner to thwart the toner.
Allow the Wella hair toner to process for about 5 minutes, depending on how much you want to neutralize, brighten or deepen. If your hair is already close to the blonde that you prefer, you can leave the toner in for only 2 or 3 minutes.
Rinse out the toner and apply hair conditioner to rehydrate your colored hair. Do not re-shampoo your hair.
Tip
If you buy a Wella toner with a 10-volume developer, see if you can exchange it for the 20-volume developer, as it works much better. Apply the toner about once a month to maintain your blonde color.
Warning
Don't let the toner sit for longer than 5 minutes as it can make your blonde hair turn violet.
Writer Bio
Maggie Hira has been writing professionally since 2006. She has written for numerous websites and print publications, including "LA.Direct Magazine" and The Budget Fashionista. Hira holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of California, Los Angeles.