How to Use Toning Shampoo

When you color your hair, it's not unusual for unattractive yellow, orange, or red tones to show up in your tresses over time. It's usually the result of environmental factors, such as sun exposure and pollution, but fortunately, you can correct the brassiness by washing with a toning shampoo. The process is much like washing your hair with regular shampoo, but you do need to be a little more patient -- and when you're dealing with major brassiness, you may even want to use the shampoo on dry hair.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Choosing a Toning Shampoo

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    Identify the tones in your hair that you want to correct. Toning shampoos can help address brassiness that occurs in a variety of hair colors. When you're choosing a shampoo, it's important to know what color tones in your hair you want it to correct. Examine your hair in a mirror in both natural and artificial lights to determine which tones you want to remove.[1]
    • With blonde and gray hair, it's typically yellow or gold tones that begin to show when your hair becomes brassy.
    • Depending on what shade of blonde your hair is, orange, copper, or red tones may appear when your color starts go brassy.
    • Dark hair with highlights can start to look a brassy orange or red.
    • If you are not sure what tones you have in your hair, ask a professional hair stylist.
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    Select a corresponding color in the toning shampoo. Once you know what color tones you want to neutralize in your hair, it's easier to choose a toning shampoo. That's because you can use the color wheel to figure out what color pigment you need to correct the brassy tones in your hair. You want to find a toning shampoo that contains pigments in a shade opposite the tones in your hair on the color wheel.[2]
    • If you hair has gold or yellow tones that you wish to neutralize, look for a violet or purple shampoo.
    • If your hair has golden coppery tones that you wish to neutralize, choose a blue-violet or blue-purple shampoo.
    • If you hair has copper or orange tones that you wish to neutralize, go with a blue shampoo.
    • If you hair has red copper or red-orange tones that you wish to neutralize, opt for a blue-green shampoo.
    • If you hair has red tones that you wish to neutralize, search for a green shampoo.
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    Check the color depth and consistency of the shampoo. It's best to purchase toning shampoo in person, so you can check the color and consistency. Visit a beauty supply store to get advice from a salesperson who is familiar with these products. For dark colored hair, you want a formula that's extremely pigmented and has thick consistency to ensure the best results. If possible, remove the cap from the shampoo bottle to check its appearance before buying it.[3]
    • Keep in mind that if you have fine or thin hair, you may actually be better off with a toning shampoo that's lighter in color or not as pigmented. Formulas that are richer in pigment can actually tint your hair if you use them daily. For example, if you use a deep, dark purple toning shampoo every day, your hair may wind up a light purple shade. However, using the shampoo once per week should not tint your hair.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Washing with Toning Shampoo

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    Wet your hair. Just as you would before applying a regular shampoo, thoroughly wet your hair in the shower or sink. It's best to rinse your hair with warm water because it opens up the hair's cuticle, which allows it to better absorb the toning shampoo.[4]
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    Apply the shampoo. Once your hair is completely wet, squeeze some of the toning shampoo into your hand and work it into your hair, starting at the roots and working your way down to the ends.[5] Massage the shampoo gently into your hair to create a rich lather.[6]
    • If you have short hair, use approximately a nickel size (1.5 cm circle) amount of the shampoo.
    • For hair that ends between the chin and shoulders, use approximately a quarter size (2.5 cm circle) amount of the shampoo.
    • If you have long hair past the shoulders, use approximately a half dollar size (4 cm circle) amount of the shampoo.
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    Let the shampoo sit on your hair. After you work the toning shampoo into a lather, you must leave it in for a few minutes to allow the toning pigments to penetrate your hair. Check the directions on your shampoo, but in most cases, you should leave it on between 3 and 5 minutes.[7]
    • If you have fine or thin hair, you may not want to leave the toning shampoo on for the full time recommended because it may tint your hair if you leave it on too long.[8]
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    Rinse your hair and follow up with a conditioner. When you've allowed the shampoo to sit on your hair for the recommended time, rinse your hair with lukewarm water to remove all of the shampoo.[9] Next, follow up with a conditioner and finish with a cold water rinse to seal your cuticle.[10]
    • Many companies that make toning shampoos sell conditioners in the same color to further help the toning process. You can use one of these color correcting conditioners after the toning shampoo or opt for your regular conditioner.
    • If you wind up with tinted hair after using the toning shampoo, the color will lessen with repeated washings. You can hurry the process along by using a clarifying shampoo the next time you wash.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Using Toning Shampoo on Dry Hair

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    Section your dry hair. To make it easier to apply the toning shampoo to your hair, it helps to divide it into sections. Use clips or bobby pins to pin back the sections that you're not working on to keep them out of the way.
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    Work the shampoo into your hair. Once you've sectioned your hair, you can start applying the shampoo. Start with the sections that need the most toning and are the most resistant to treatments and work your way to the other sections. Make sure to apply the shampoo all over your hair to avoid an uneven look when you're done.
    • You should be more generous with the shampoo that you would be if you were applying it to wet hair. Use enough to thoroughly coat all of your hair. Keep in mind that the shampoo will not lather as much as it does when it is wet.
    • Using toning shampoo on dry hair can produce more dramatic results because there's no added water to dilute the pigments. As a result, it can sometimes tint hair, so you want not want to try the treatment if you have fine or thin hair.
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    Allow it to sit for several minutes. After you've applied the shampoo to all of your hair, give it time to penetrate your hair completely. Consult the shampoo's instructions to see their recommendation for how long to leave it on, but you can leave it on for up to 10 minutes.
    • The thicker and coarser your hair is, the longer you can leave the shampoo on. It's best to err on the side of caution, though, and start with a shorter amount of time to see how your hair reacts.
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    Rinse the shampoo and condition your hair. When you've allowed the toning shampoo to sit on your locks for several minutes, rinse it thoroughly with lukewarm water to remove it completely. Follow up with a conditioner, and rinse one final time with cold water.
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Expert Q&A

  • Question
    Can I put a toner on bleached hair?
    Laura Martin
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
    Laura Martin
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Yes. Toner is designed for bleached hair. It will refine the tone and add shine without darkening your blonde color.
  • Question
    Why do you use purple shampoo?
    Laura Martin
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
    Laura Martin
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Purple shampoo neutralizes yellow tones in the hair, creating a cool platinum blond.
  • Question
    How long does it take for toner to work?
    Laura Martin
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
    Laura Martin
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    This depends on the porosity of your hair. You can't set a timer and leave it; you have to watch it. Usually, it takes between 3-10 minutes.
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Things You'll Need

  • Toning shampoo in the appropriate color
  • Conditioner
  • Clips or bobby pins
  • Comb

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References

  1. ↑ https://bellatory.com/hair/Choosing-a-purple-shampoo
  2. ↑ https://bellatory.com/hair/Choosing-a-purple-shampoo
  3. ↑ https://bellatory.com/hair/Choosing-a-purple-shampoo
  4. ↑ http://stylecaster.com/beauty/how-to-wash-your-hair/
  5. ↑ Brianna Bowling. Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 25 February 2022.
  6. ↑ www.refinery29.com/purple-shampoo
  7. ↑ Brianna Bowling. Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 25 February 2022.
  8. ↑ www.refinery29.com/purple-shampoo
  9. ↑ Brianna Bowling. Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 25 February 2022.
  1. ↑ http://stylecaster.com/beauty/how-to-wash-your-hair/

About This Article

Brianna Bowling
Co-authored by:
Brianna Bowling
Hair Stylist
This article was co-authored by Brianna Bowling. Brianna Bowling is a Hair Stylist and the Co-Owner of The CRAFT Salon in Glendora, California. With more than 11 years of experience, she specializes in balayage, blonding, and vivid colors. Brianna has received years of in-depth training on advanced color techniques. This article has been viewed 91,012 times.
2 votes - 100%
Co-authors: 12
Updated: March 10, 2022
Views: 91,012
Categories: Shampoo
Article SummaryX

Toning shampoo can help remove yellow, orange, and red tones from your hair. For gold or yellow tones, look for a purple shampoo. For copper or orange tones, get a blue shampoo. If your hair has red tones, look for green shampoo. To use your toning shampoo, wet your hair, work the shampoo into a lather, then leave it in your hair for 3 to 5 minutes. If you have thin or fine hair, leave it in for half the time so you don’t tint your hair color. When you start off, use toning shampoo only once a week to see how your hair reacts. If your hair is fine, you can try using it more often. For more tips from our Beauty co-author, including how to apply toning shampoo to your dry hair, read on!

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