The Power of Toner for Yellow Hair: 2023 Guide

Blondes, we’ve all been there – that moment when your gorgeous golden locks start to take on an unwanted yellowish tinge. It’s a common struggle, but fear not! The secret weapon in your arsenal to restore your hair’s brilliance is none other than a toner. If you’ve ever wondered how to say goodbye to those pesky yellow undertones and hello to your dream shade of blonde, you’re in the right place. In this guide, we’re diving headfirst into the world of toner for yellow hair, uncovering the science behind it and discovering how this magical elixir can be your ultimate ally in achieving hair that’s as stunning as it is vibrant.

What Causes Yellow Hair After Bleaching?

When you bleach your hair, it opens up the hair cuticle and removes your natural pigment. However, it does not remove the underlying yellow/orange pigment. This causes your hair to take on a yellow or brassy appearance after lightening.

The level of brassiness depends on factors like:

  • Natural hair color – Darker hair has more underlying pigment
  • Hair porosity – More porous hair absorbs more pigment
  • Bleach strength and processing time

How Does Hair Toner Work?

Hair toner contains pigments that neutralize unwanted yellow and orange tones.

There are two main types of toner:

Permanent toner – Contains peroxide and ammonia to open the cuticle and deposit permanent pigment. Lasts 4-6 weeks.

Semi-permanent toner – Deposits pigment without lifting the cuticle. No peroxide or ammonia. Lasts 2-3 shampoos.

Choosing the Best Toner for Yellow Hair

Level of Brassiness

  • Slight brassiness – semi-permanent toner
  • Heavy brassiness – permanent toner

Hair Color

  • Cool, ashy blondes – blue or violet toner
  • Warm golden blondes – beige toner

Hair Porosity

  • More porous hair = longer processing time
  • Less porous hair = shorter processing time

Hair Condition

  • Damage = use a conditioning toner

How to Apply Toner

  • Clarify hair with a shampoo to remove product buildup
  • Mix toner according to instructions
  • Apply toner evenly with tint brush from roots to ends
  • Process according to toner directions
  • Permanent = 15-30 mins
  • Semi-permanent = 5-10 mins
  • Rinse thoroughly with cool water
  • Condition hair

How to Use Toner to Neutralize Yellow Hair

  • To get rid of brassiness, use a toner with blue or violet pigments. These opposite colors on the color wheel will cancel out yellow tones.
  • When hair is very yellow, a permanent toner will give longer-lasting results. Semi-permanent options work well for mild brassiness.
  • Strand testing toner before full application allows you to see the color result and adjust the timing if needed.
  • Porous or damaged hair may require a longer toner processing time than healthy hair. Monitor frequently to avoid over-toning.
  • For best toner maintenance, use a purple shampoo weekly and avoid hot tools. Heat damage can make hair more porous and prone to brassiness.
  • To keep blonde hair bright, re-tone every 4-6 weeks. Toner fades over time, so regular applications preserve the color.
  • When toning at home, always follow the directions carefully. Leaving toner on too long or mixing incorrectly can lead to unwanted results. Professional help is best for tricky color jobs.

Best Toners for Yellow Hair

Wella Color Charm T18 Lightest Ash Blonde Toner: A cult favorite, this toner works wonders to neutralize yellow and create a cool, ashy blonde shade.

Schwarzkopf Professional BlondMe Instant Blush Blonde Beautifier: This customizable toner offers a range of shades to counteract yellow and infuse beautiful pastel hues.

Fanola No Yellow Shampoo and Mask: A dynamic duo, this purple shampoo and mask combo is renowned for swiftly banishing yellow tones and maintaining vibrant blonde hair.

Redken Shades EQ Gloss: Known for its conditioning formula, this toner not only removes brassiness but also leaves hair shiny and silky.

Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo and Conditioner: Another purple power couple, these products work in harmony to eliminate yellow undertones while hydrating your locks.

Matrix Total Results So Silver Shampoo: A purple shampoo that’s loved for its effective color correction and its ability to maintain cool-toned blonde shades.

TIGI Bed Head Dumb Blonde Purple Toning Shampoo: This shampoo offers a double whammy of toning and nourishing, making it a go-to for neutralizing yellow.

Paul Mitchell Platinum Blonde Toning Spray: For a quick and easy fix, this toning spray can be applied to damp or dry hair to help counteract yellow tones.

Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights Shampoo and Conditioner: A classic choice, this duo has been trusted for years to refresh blonde hair and keep it looking vibrant.

Pravana The Perfect Blonde Purple Toning Masque: This masque not only tones out brassiness but also helps strengthen and nourish your hair.

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it – the journey from yellow to fabulous is just a toner away! Toner for yellow hair isn’t just a quick fix; it’s a game-changer that can transform your blonde from meh to marvelous. Whether you’re aiming for icy platinum, a soft ash hue, or any shade in between, the power of toner is undeniable. So, bid adieu to those pesky yellow tones and embrace a blonde that’s pure, radiant, and absolutely stunning. With a little help from the toner magic, your hair will shine like the star you are, turning heads and leaving a trail of envy in your wake.

Bleached Hair Savior: Top Picks for the Best Purple Shampoos for Blonde Hair

Lifting your hair’s color to a brighter, lighter, blonder shade requires dedication—a worthy commitment. But this is nevertheless a commitment. This is because lightening makes hair porous and more vulnerable to damage, which frequently results in unwelcome dullness, brassiness, and yellow undertones. It’s not always easy to find a purple shampoo that works with your hair type. We’ve finally compiled a list of the top 11 purple shampoos for hair after analyzing each formula’s active ingredients. 

Best Overall: Moroccanoil Blonde Perfecting Purple Shampoo

Although Moroccanoil is perhaps best known for its argan oil products, this toning shampoo is one of the best. In addition to the formula’s component, violet pigments are used to brighten silver and gray hair as well as natural and bleached blonde hair. It is sulfate-free, and works for the majority of hair textures.

The product is a favorite among users because of how well it works on hair. It makes hair smoother and gives it a lovely sheen, making it look bright and healthy. However, some people can find the scent to be overpowering, which could be unpleasant. People who are allergic to perfumes might want to think about other possibilities. 

Best Budget: L’Oreal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Purple Shampoo

This over-the-counter product is perfect for people with colored, bleached, or sensitive hair. It is fully vegan and free of sulfates, parabens, harsh surfactants, and harsh salts. Hibiscus extract nourishes and softens, and the deep purple pigment works well to restore orange, yellow, and golden tones. To keep your blonde hair clean and bright, shampoo every other day.

Due to its potent formulation, reasonable cost, and vegan components, this purple shampoo is a well-liked option. Blonde hair’s brassy undertones are successfully neutralized, preserving a cooler, more natural-looking color. Nevertheless, some consumers have mentioned that this shampoo sometimes leaves a residue that can be challenging to entirely rinse away. For those with thin or fine hair, this residue may leave hair feeling heavy or greasy, which may not be optimal. 

Best Drugstore: Fudge Clean Blonde Violet Toning Shampoo

The best-selling Fudge Clean Blonde Violet Toning Shampoo has salon-strength purple micro-pigments. These rapidly eliminate brassy and yellow tones from blonde or gray hair. It is made with moisturizing guarana to give people the greatest hair-washing experience.

This shampoo is one of the most often used products, thanks to its reasonable pricing and efficient recipe. It helps blonde hair look brighter and more vivid by balancing out brassy tones. It’s crucial to remember that this shampoo is not suggested for every wash. Overuse might cause an unnatural purple hue in the hair that might be challenging to remove. To retain a natural-looking hue and still enjoy the benefits of the shampoo, it is advisable to use it sparingly, perhaps once a week or every other wash. 

Best Splurge: Oribe Bright Blonde Shampoo for Beautiful Color

It has to be Oribe’s Bright Blonde recipe if you want a violet toning shampoo that also offers an opulent hair-washing experience. It is incredibly soft and produces a fine, foamy lather that coats every strand for a light, balanced appearance. It is devoid of parabens and sulfates and is infused with botanical extracts and keratin for strength.

Customers love this purple shampoo because of its all-natural ingredients, attractive fragrance, and potent recipe. It efficiently reduces brassy undertones in blonde hair. Also, it helps to nourish and hydrate hair to keep it looking alive and healthy. The price of this shampoo is more than some of the other options available, which is a drawback. For individuals on a tight budget or who like to spend less on hair care products, this might not be the best option.

Best for Curly or Kinky Hair: SheaMoisture Purple Rice Water Strength & Color Care Shampoo

You’ll enjoy the nutrients this SheaMoisture product provides if your texture is curlier. Purple rice water delicately illuminates while organic shea butter, argan oil, and jojoba oil replenish moisture. It’s not as pigmented as some alternatives, but because of the mild tint, you may apply it after each wash without worrying about over-toning.

Customers love how efficiently it reduces brassy undertones in blonde hair while hydrating and nourishing it. Nonetheless, the mixture might be too heavy for people with fine or thin hair, which is one potential drawback. Overusing the product or leaving it on too long may cause the hair to become weighed down and seem flat or oily. 

Best for Damaged Hair: Amika Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Shampoo

You’ll love Amika’s Bust Your Brass shampoo if you like a very cool-toned blonde or gray look. Due to its intense pigmentation, it reduces heat from the hair swiftly. Besides, the solution uses a bond repair technology to strengthen hair and lessen breakage. Mango butter instantly makes hair soft and lustrous. It is a fantastic choice for dry, damaged, or bleached styles because it is sulfate- and paraben-free.

Many people enjoy that blonde hair can be made to shine beautifully. It helps to increase the general health and strength of the hair while neutralizing brassy tones. Nevertheless, some customers have complained that the product’s aroma may be too overpowering for their tastes. For people who are sensitive to strong odors, the aroma may linger on the hair after washing, which could be off-putting. 

Best for Frizz: Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo

The purple shampoo from Joico Color Balance preserves hair while balancing warm and yellow tones in blonde hair. This paraben-free shampoo improves shine & smoothness while making hair over 2X stronger, with results that last for up to 12 washes.

Customers who have blonde highlights have commended its ability to keep them vibrant and toned. Many people who have tried the lotion laud its long-lasting impact on the hair as well. The only issue is that the formula contains sulfates, which make things dry. 

Best for Bleached Hair: Olaplex No.4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo

No. 4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo is for you if you desire Olaplex’s bond-repairing effects without sacrificing your color. It has the distinctive bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate of that brand in addition to a violet color to take away unwelcome orange, yellow, or golden tones. Although it works on both bottle and natural blondes, it works especially well on bleached hair that has been harmed during the process.

Users enjoy this product’s advantages, such as its moisturizing and strengthening qualities. It is also said that the product is pricey, which can be a turnoff for some buyers. Despite the expensive price, the product is worth trying for once. 

Best for Colored Hair: Pureology Strength Cure Best Blonde Miracle Filler

The Pureology Strength Cure solution tones, moisturizes, and fortifies hair if your lightened hair is also prone to split ends and breaking. The secret is a potent blend of proteins, antioxidants, and purple orchids, which is created to seal and heal while erasing golden overtones. A UV filter is also present to prevent color fading.

Customers like this product’s strengthening capabilities and its capacity to protect hair from UV rays, among other advantages. It is acknowledged that the product is pricey, which can be a turnoff for some buyers. Despite the high cost, those who value strong, healthy hair and UV protection may find the product to be worthwhile.

Best for Fine Hair: Kérastase Blond Absolu Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo

The Anti-Brass Shampoo from Kérastase, the gold standard in luxurious haircare, is nothing short of a miracle. Hyaluronic acid, edelweiss flower, intense violet pigments, and a smooth, foamy consistency tone the hair while adding touchable volume. It works great for finer hair that is either naturally blonde, gray, or bleached because it is not at all heavy or dense.

Customers love how the shampoo adds volume while also softening and hydrating the hair. For people with dry or damaged hair, softening and moisturizing qualities are especially crucial because they can assist to replenish moisture and enhance the texture of the hair overall. Adding volume can also provide the appearance of thicker, more voluminous locks, which can be attractive for people with fine or flat hair. Sulfates, which some users may find concerning, are a prominent component of the product.

Best for Natural Blondes: Bumble and Bumble Illuminated Blonde Purple Shampoo

If you have naturally dry, frizzy hair, toning shampoos may soften while skimping on nourishing. Yet, Bumble and bumble is abundant in glycerin, coconut, and hazelnut seed oil to replenish hydration and promote shine. The toning component is the next, and it can be used on both naturally dark hair and hair that has been lightened. Additionally, there is amethyst extract for a hint of shine.

Customers have complimented its capacity to lessen brassy tones in blonde hair. The aroma and price of the product are also mentioned in the reviews. Still, one reviewer stated that using the product caused hair loss, while another stated that the shampoo colored their hair purple.

For people with blonde hair who want to lessen brassy tones and maintain their color appearing vivid and fresh, purple shampoos have grown to be a popular option. It can be difficult to choose the finest purple shampoo for blonde hair from the many brands on the market. You could use this list to aid you with that, but keep in mind that it is only for reference. But who knows, you might find your favorite among the items mentioned above.