topic Re: For those familiar w/blonde highlights, I've got ?s about toner. . . in Beauty

For those familiar w/blonde highlights, I've got ?s about toner. . .

wildcat fan — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 00:03:10 GMT

What's the purpose of toner?

Stylists have told me that toner is necessary to keep the color from turning brassy. Other stylists have told me that if the color's done correctly in the first place, no toner is necessary. Which way is correct?

Recently I had a stylist tell me that I needed two toner treatments (at $20 each) after highlights, but I still think my hair has a "brassy" tone. She applied toner to my hair, cut it, started to dry it, then said I needed more toner. She said one toner made the color too warm and the second toner will make it cooler. This was a new salon and stylist for me. I haven't had toner in a while, so I thought this was unusual to do two toner treatments. What do you think? In the past when I've had toner added after highlights, I was never charged extra. Is that common in your area?

Re: For those familiar w/blonde highlights, I've got ?s about toner. . .

BOYINTX — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 00:08:31 GMT

my hair is bleached, and in this process it is all one color blond second strands are brought out and lightened even more and these strands require a toner. Without a toner you do risk a brassy tone.

Consider how light the bleach is --if pale then tone

Re: For those familiar w/blonde highlights, I've got ?s about toner. . .

Winter girl_1 — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 00:17:25 GMT

This depends on what your starting color and what color you want the highlights. If you want true baby blonde highlights the bleach needs to stay on the hair long enough to lift to the pale yellow stage (looks like the inside of a banana). If you are dark to start with the bleach lifts the color in stages so you will only be able to lift so far. In that case toner is used to cancel out unwanted tones in the hair color. Meaning if you can only lift the highlights to the orange stage you would use a blue based toner to counteract that brassiness. They shouldn't charge extra for this it should be part of the cost of highlights. If your base color is already light enough (a dark blonde perhaps) and a toner is needed it generally means the bleach wasn't left to process long enough. Same thing happens though - toner would be used to cancel out the unwanted tones. Hope this helps

Re: For those familiar w/blonde highlights, I've got ?s about toner. . .

wildcat fan — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 00:24:13 GMT

Thanks for your replies, BOYINTX and Ohfabulousone.

My natural color is dark blonde with some lighter blonde mixed in. It used to be very light until my mid-twenties (before pregnancy).

I just thought it's odd that some stylists didn't use toner, but this one decided I needed two treatments.

Re: For those familiar w/blonde highlights, I've got ?s about toner. . .

Penellope — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 01:37:23 GMT

I think she made a mistake with the first toner then charged you for two. If the highlights were done correctly you wouldn't really need the toner. I had this problem with a stylist. She knew my hair tends to go more gold (which I don't want), so she left the toner on longer to make sure it wouldn't be gold, and it made my whole head brassy. It looked awful and I paid for the privilege. No, I didn't have the nerve to tell her I hated it. I dyed it back to my natural color and haven't tried highlights again.

Re: For those familiar w/blonde highlights, I've got ?s about toner. . .

pinkberry — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 02:44:17 GMT

Years ago the girl who highlighted my hair always used a toner. But more recently any colorist who I've gone to has never used a toner. And they have told me that if the highlights are done well, you should never need a toner. I think toner is really just semi-permanent color anyway. I would probably be nervous now if I went to someone who used a toner. And it should definitely not be an extra cost.

Re: For those familiar w/blonde highlights, I've got ?s about toner. . .

BOYINTX — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 02:46:55 GMT

On 10/18/2014 wildcat fan said:
Thanks for your replies, BOYINTX and Ohfabulousone.

My natural color is dark blonde with some lighter blonde mixed in. It used to be very light until my mid-twenties (before pregnancy).

I just thought it's odd that some stylists didn't use toner, but this one decided I needed two treatments.

2 treatments seem strange as TONER only deposits color. Was the stylist seperating the toner and applying in 2 different areas ? If so this is normal to add debth to areas, and correct brassy lighter areas.

Re: For those familiar w/blonde highlights, I've got ?s about toner. . .

Desertdi — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 02:50:59 GMT

On 10/18/2014 BOYINTX said:
On 10/18/2014 wildcat fan said:
Thanks for your replies, BOYINTX and Ohfabulousone.

My natural color is dark blonde with some lighter blonde mixed in. It used to be very light until my mid-twenties (before pregnancy).

I just thought it's odd that some stylists didn't use toner, but this one decided I needed two treatments.

2 treatments seem strange as TONER only deposits color. Was the stylist seperating the toner and applying in 2 different areas ? If so this is normal to add debth to areas, and correct brassy lighter areas.

Sounds like the stylist made a mistake the first time.

Re: For those familiar w/blonde highlights, I've got ?s about toner. . .

BOYINTX — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 02:56:47 GMT

On 10/18/2014 Desertdi said:
On 10/18/2014 BOYINTX said:
On 10/18/2014 wildcat fan said:
Thanks for your replies, BOYINTX and Ohfabulousone.

My natural color is dark blonde with some lighter blonde mixed in. It used to be very light until my mid-twenties (before pregnancy).

I just thought it's odd that some stylists didn't use toner, but this one decided I needed two treatments.

2 treatments seem strange as TONER only deposits color. Was the stylist seperating the toner and applying in 2 different areas ? If so this is normal to add debth to areas, and correct brassy lighter areas.

Sounds like the stylist made a mistake the first time.

ok yes in re-reading I see one problem,To make COOLER she would have to lift more MEANING USE MORE LIGHTNER- You cannot cool over warm without lightning once a warm toner is applied. Plus the CHARGE OF TONER SHOULD BE INCLUDED. A CHARGE QUOTED IF YOU WALK IN AND REQUEST SOMETHING TO CORRECT . But the complete charge should include both lightning cut and toner.

Re: For those familiar w/blonde highlights, I've got ?s about toner. . .

Lucky Charm — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 03:44:14 GMT

Omgosh this thread came just at the right time. I'm going from brown (colored) hair to a much ashier (hopefully close to gray/brown) with cool highlights.

I don't want brassy even tho I've had stylists tell me my natural color is brassy....ugh. It's flippin gray!!!

So I want cool cool cool blond highlights (actually all over with the darker base) don't care to see streaks as my gray doesn't come in streaks....make sense?

Any way, who ever mentioned the inside of a banana....Yes! I don't want yellow like the outside of a banana peel, I want the color more like the inside of the banana peel. Although that does sound gross. lol.

Re: For those familiar w/blonde highlights, I've got ?s about toner. . .

Winter girl_1 — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 04:17:37 GMT

That was me that mentioned the inside of the banana lol. How dark is the brown color?

Re: For those familiar w/blonde highlights, I've got ?s about toner. . .

shoekitty — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 04:19:42 GMT

My opinion is with the stylists that say, if done correctly toner is not necessary. It is also my opinion that most stylists work with tints on highlighting these days and avoid bleach. Bleach is for certain looks, and depends on the original or current color of the hair. Tints and colors are so wonderful today. With proper volume developer, you can achieve many of the results of bleach.

Tints are 2 process in one product. They lift the base color of the hair to desired lightness, then deposit color in the last process.

Bleach lifts the hair, alone it cannot deposit color or tone. You need a toner to deposit color and seal the cuticle. Toners wash out easily. Especially if the hair is damaged or lifted to a certain point. Toners are temporary color

I might call a salon who has a color specialist, specializing in corrections. They can give a consultation for free if you walk in and ask. I think it would run 150 and up, at least here in california for a correction.

JMHO

My granddaughters get highlights and lowlights. They use 3 colors but they use tints.

Re: For those familiar w/blonde highlights, I've got ?s about toner. . .

shoekitty — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 04:25:58 GMT

On 10/18/2014 Desertdi said:
On 10/18/2014 BOYINTX said:
On 10/18/2014 wildcat fan said:
Thanks for your replies, BOYINTX and Ohfabulousone.

My natural color is dark blonde with some lighter blonde mixed in. It used to be very light until my mid-twenties (before pregnancy).

I just thought it's odd that some stylists didn't use toner, but this one decided I needed two treatments.

2 treatments seem strange as TONER only deposits color. Was the stylist seperating the toner and applying in 2 different areas ? If so this is normal to add debth to areas, and correct brassy lighter areas.

Sounds like the stylist made a mistake the first time.

Yes it does sound like she didn't lift to the correct stage, or she wouldn't have brssy hair. I thought it was cheap of the stylist to charge again for another toner. Toner costs the stylist 2.80 to maybe 5 bucks, top. But I am not sure what went wrong.

And yes, most stylists do not use bleach, only in certain cases. Tints with proper developer strengths can provide the same results with less stress.

Re: For those familiar w/blonde highlights, I've got ?s about toner. . .

Snowpuppy — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 04:29:53 GMT

My hair is medium blonde and I get both hi lites and low lites in the same visit.

I've had this stylist for more than 3 yrs and lately she's been adding toner at the end. Not 2 treatments for hi/low lites. Just one toner at the end but my hair gets brassy in a heartbeat.

I know they've changed product at this salon. Nothing seems to be working as well as it used to. I'm waiting for color to develop longer than I ever have.

ITA with shoekitty, if you don't like the look......see a color correction specialist. Here they start at $75 but a consultation is always free.

Re: For those familiar w/blonde highlights, I've got ?s about toner. . .

CatsyCline — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 05:40:30 GMT

On 10/18/2014 shoekitty said:
My opinion is with the stylists that say, if done correctly toner is not necessary. It is also my opinion that most stylists work with tints on highlighting these days and avoid bleach. Bleach is for certain looks, and depends on the original or current color of the hair. Tints and colors are so wonderful today. With proper volume developer, you can achieve many of the results of bleach.

Tints are 2 process in one product. They lift the base color of the hair to desired lightness, then deposit color in the last process.

Bleach lifts the hair, alone it cannot deposit color or tone. You need a toner to deposit color and seal the cuticle. Toners wash out easily. Especially if the hair is damaged or lifted to a certain point. Toners are temporary color

I might call a salon who has a color specialist, specializing in corrections. They can give a consultation for free if you walk in and ask. I think it would run 150 and up, at least here in california for a correction.

JMHO

My granddaughters get highlights and lowlights. They use 3 colors but they use tints.

what exactly is considered "tint" ? Do you mean permanent color with the developer in one bottle and the color in the second? Then mix and apply?

Re: For those familiar w/blonde highlights, I've got ?s about toner. . .

shoekitty — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 06:22:19 GMT

On 10/18/2014 ashleigh dupray said:
On 10/18/2014 shoekitty said:
My opinion is with the stylists that say, if done correctly toner is not necessary. It is also my opinion that most stylists work with tints on highlighting these days and avoid bleach. Bleach is for certain looks, and depends on the original or current color of the hair. Tints and colors are so wonderful today. With proper volume developer, you can achieve many of the results of bleach.

Tints are 2 process in one product. They lift the base color of the hair to desired lightness, then deposit color in the last process.

Bleach lifts the hair, alone it cannot deposit color or tone. You need a toner to deposit color and seal the cuticle. Toners wash out easily. Especially if the hair is damaged or lifted to a certain point. Toners are temporary color

I might call a salon who has a color specialist, specializing in corrections. They can give a consultation for free if you walk in and ask. I think it would run 150 and up, at least here in california for a correction.

JMHO

My granddaughters get highlights and lowlights. They use 3 colors but they use tints.

what exactly is considered "tint" ? Do you mean permanent color with the developer in one bottle and the color in the second? Then mix and apply?

Yes! A tint is a hair dye as most people call it. It contains a developer to bring up the hair to accept color, and it contains a color that fills in with color (you have chosen). Developer and color work in conjunction with each other. Some tints have different kinds of developers, with different chemicals to lift (some without ammonia, etc). It can be permanent or semi permanent.
A toner is more like a rinse. It is in the temporary category.

Re: For those familiar w/blonde highlights, I've got ?s about toner. . .

sinut — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 07:06:09 GMT

If a toner is used, it means that the highlights are brought up too light. The toner after several washings rinses out anyhow. It sounds like she is using a two step process. I have dark blonde hair and get highlights and my colorist has never used a toner. She uses a color to highlight my hair not just bleach. You may want to consider finding a new colorist. Good luck.

Re: For those familiar w/blonde highlights, I've got ?s about toner. . .

PurpleCow — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 07:06:28 GMT

STOP going to that salon, she's trying to scam you out of money! I've never had a "toner treatment" charged after a color, toning is an expectant part of coloring hair.

Go to Sally Beauty Supply and buy their Generic version of Clairol Shimmer Lights Shampoo (big bottle is like $15). Put it on your hair and let it sit 45min, then rinse. There's your toner treatment! And once a week use this shampoo and let it sink in like 5min while you shower before rinsing. [Walmart is starting to sell Jhirmack purple shampoo again for $4 if you can find it instead of going to Sally's]

Hard water will turn blonde hair green or brassy, purple shampoo will help.

Re: For those familiar w/blonde highlights, I've got ?s about toner. . .

ritasNo1Fan — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 07:48:55 GMT

When I worked in a salon, toners were part of the process, no additional charge. It was a "big deal" with hair samples and charts shown to the customer, & the most popular one back then was called Bashful Blond. Also we used a product (which Sally's still sells) called Born Blonde. It is very easy to use & lasts awhile. And you can pick your shade. It seems like B.B. was conditioning to bleached hair as well. The sales clerks at Sally's should help you choose. All salons are different, but when I worked in Salons, toners were part of the highlight job.

Re: For those familiar w/blonde highlights, I've got ?s about toner. . .

wildcat fan — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 15:28:11 GMT

Thanks for all of this information. I've been highlighting my hair for a few years, but I've never really understood what the toner step was all about until now.

The salon I went to is a "Redken Elite Salon" with "Redken Certified Hair Colorists on site." It's the most expensive place in town and often referred to as "upscale. . .modern. . .luxurious."

For the past few years, I've been going to an Aveda salon in another city and decided to try this Redken salon since it's local and with my job I just wanted to save a little time. I like the cut I received, but not so much the color. $40 for toner was surprise. The overall cost was about $175 more than I usually spend at the Aveda salon. I'd love to be able to do the color myself. Definitely don't think I'll be going back to this Redken salon.