The 10 Best Hair Toners for a Subtle Color Boost
When your hair needs a refresh, these formulas are great in a pinch.
Coloring your hair is a commitment. While your hair may look impeccable when you're leaving the salon, it's natural for it to dull in color after a few weeks, especially if you've been exposed to environmental factors like sun, salt water, chlorine, and harsh hair products. Investing in the best shampoos and conditioners—especially blue shampoos and purple shampoos—can help your color stay longer. But using one of the best hair toners or hair glosses in between appointments is key for maintaining color vibrance.
In case you're unfamiliar, "A hair toner is a product used in hair coloring to neutralize or enhance certain tones in the hair, especially after bleaching or lightening," explains Luis Perez, Color Designer at the Julien Farel Restore Salon & Spa. "It helps achieve the desired shade by counteracting unwanted colors like brassiness or yellow tones." He notes, however, that hair toners come in all hair colors. Hair toners can be formulated to eradicate ashy tones from warm hair and yellow tones from ashy hair. "It can also calm the color down so it is not so bright," explains celebrity colorist Rita Hazan.
To better understand the breadth of hair toners available on the market, we asked Perez and Hazan to list their favorite hair toners of all time. They've also provided guidance on how to use a hair toner, so you don't have to wait for your next salon appointment to feel your best.
Best Hair Toners
- Best Hair Toner Overall: Pureology Color Fanatic Top Coat + Tone
- Best Hair Toner for Light Hair: Wella ColorCharm Lightest Ash Blonde Toner
- Best Hair Toner for Dark Hair: Overtone Espresso Brown Coloring Conditioner
- Best Hydrating Hair Toner: Dae Stargloss Shine Hair Gloss Treatment
Pureology is one of my favorite color maintenance brands, so it's no surprise I love their hair toner. It has hydrating properties and an ability to prevent color fading. It's formulated with nourishing ingredients like oat milk and camellia oil, which condition hair and mitigate frizz. This option also comes in five options: blue (for brunettes), purple (for blondes and gray tones), red, copper, and gold. It's a brilliant, cruelty-free option for anyone trying to delay their next (expensive) touch-up at the salon.
Pros: Cruelty-free; comes in several colors and options; hydrating; frizz-fighting; shine-enhancing
Cons: Contains artificial fragrance, which some users may find irritating
If you have light blonde or platinum hair, Perez has just the hair toner for you. "This toner is highly regarded for its effectiveness in neutralizing unwanted brassiness and achieving cool, ashy tones," he says of this affordable option from Wella. "It comes in various shades to cater to different hair colors and undertones, providing customizable results." He especially loves this shade for its ability to restore platinum-blonde hair to its former brilliance. He explains, "It effectively cancels out yellow and orange tones, leaving the hair with a cool, icy finish. It's a go-to choice for those aiming for a high-lift blonde result."
Pros: Approved by two experts; quick results
Cons: Some users find it drying
A lot of attention gets placed on keeping blonde hair vibrant and brass-free, but dark hair needs upkeep, too. This hair toner doubles as a conditioner and deposits espresso-colored pigment into each individual strand. Simply lather it through your hair, using a comb to distribute the formula evenly, and leave it in for 10 to 15 minutes. Like a normal deep conditioner, it can be used once to twice a week or whenever your hair needs a refresh.
Pros: Hydrating; color-depositing; free of sulfates; vegan; cruelty-free
Cons: Requires a little extra time
Hazan stands by this smoothing, sweet-smelling option from crowd-favorite haircare brand Dae. She explains, "This is a frizz-fighting hair mask and shine gloss all in one. You can wear it to bed and shower it out the next morning." It's especially great for those with curly hair more prone to frizz. One use, and your hair will be shinier and smoother.
Pros: Expert-approved; hydrating; clean; good for frizz; shine-enhancing; vegan; good on all hair colors
Cons: Tube packaging makes it hard to get every last drop
Also Recommended
This popular toning hair gloss comes in 12 unique colors, so you can rest assured that no matter what color you're aiming for, there's something available for you. The vegan, cruelty-free formula is free of harsh ingredients like peroxide and ammonia, and it doesn't require any mixing: Simply apply, leave on for three to 20 minutes, and go. "This product is so easy to use and never distorts my color—It just revives it," shares Beauty Editor Samantha Holender.
Pros: Quick results; free of harsh ingredients; nourishing; comes in many colors; vegan; cruelty-free
Cons: Smaller amount of pigment and more expensive than many customers, so someone with a lot of long hair may finish the bottle quickly
If you're looking to enhance the beauty of your natural or dyed gray hair, Perez says you should consider this affordable anti-brass toner. "This purple shampoo is designed specifically for blonde, gray, and white hair to neutralize yellow tones and enhance cool, silver shades. Enriched with amino acids and anti-yellowing agents, hair feels soft, shiny, and revitalized."
Pros: Expert-approved; hydrating; anti-brass
Cons: Some users dislike the scent
This new shampoo from Milbon works best when paired with its matching conditioner. "While not a traditional toner, this purple shampoo and conditioner duo is excellent for toning blonde or gray hair at home," explains Perez. "The purple pigments help neutralize brassiness and keep the hair looking fresh and vibrant between salon visits. Plus, it's sulfate-free and gentle on the hair."
Pros: Expert-approved; gentle; sulfate-free
Cons: Potentially messy, as with most purple shampoos; not available at major retailers
You probably know that you should be wearing sunscreen every day, but have you also considered the damage that UV radiation can to do your hair? In addition to dry, damaged hair and sunburn on your scalp, too much sun can alter the color of your hair even if you've just gotten it touched up at the salon. In those cases, Hazan recommends this "super hydrating" toner from R-Co, which offers UV protection.
Pros: Expert-approved; hydrating; has UV protection
Cons: More expensive than most competitors
For those of us who prefer low-maintenance routines, this hair toner is the way to go. "Unlike in-shower glosses, this glossing serum can be used on wet or dry hair to add shine and seal split ends," Hazan points out. It's also suitable for all hair types and curl patterns, so you don't have to worry about accidentally messing up your style.
Pros: Expert-approved; works on all hair types and patterns; frizz-fighting
Cons: Some users find the finish sticky
Looking for a product that deposits hair color while also toning the hair? Look no further than this hair toner and semi-permanent hair color two-in-one. "Known for its versatility and conditioning properties, Redken Shades EQ Gloss is a demi-permanent hair toner that adds shine while toning the hair," Hazan explains. "It offers a wide range of shades, from subtle adjustments to more dramatic transformations, making it suitable for various coloring needs."
Pros: Expert-approved; both colors and tones hair; buildable/ customizable; vegan
Cons: Not as shine-enhancing as competitors
Do I Need a Hair Toner?
Brassiness is the most common reason to incorporate a hair toner into your routine. After lightening, warm tones like yellow or orange can become more prominent, explains Perez. "A toner can neutralize these tones to achieve a cooler, more natural-looking result."
But hair toners aren't limited to those with blonde hair. "If someone wants to achieve a specific hair color, a toner can help enhance or adjust the tone to match their desired shade," says Perez. "In cases where the initial coloring result is not as expected or there are uneven tones, a toner can help correct the color and achieve a more uniform appearance."
Finally, hair toners can be used to maintain dyed hair over time so that your style lasts longer. "Over time, hair color can fade or become dull due to factors like washing, sun exposure, or environmental pollutants," he explains. "Toners can help refresh and revive the color, keeping it vibrant and true to the desired shade."
What to Look for in a Hair Toner
- Ingredients
As with all hair and skin products, not all hair toners are built alike. For the sake of your hair health, check the ingredients list of the product you're considering before you purchase. More specifically, Hazan says, "Look for a toner with moisturizing agents like Pro Vitamin B5 or acai extract." Meanwhile, she suggests avoiding harsh, damaging ingredients like ammonia and peroxide.
- Color
Perez adds that many hair toners are made for specific hair colors, so it's best to choose one that matches the shade and results you're looking for.
How to Use a Hair Toner
Perez advises starting with clean, towel-dried hair free of any product residue. Then, once you've familiarized yourself with the instructions on the bottle (different toners require different methods), he says to put on a pair of gloves to prevent your skin from staining.
"Apply the toner evenly throughout your hair, focusing on areas where brassiness or uneven tones are most prominent," he explains. "Use a brush or applicator to ensure thorough coverage." Allow the toner to process according to the instructions provided. This typically ranges from five to 30 minutes, depending on the toner and the desired result.
Perez warns that it's imperative to watch the time while the toner sits in order to avoid over-processing, which makes hair dry and brittle. Once time is up, "rinse your hair thoroughly with lukewarm water until the water runs clear." Use conditioner if your hair toner's instructions call for it, dry your hair, and style as usual.
How Often Should I Use a Hair Toner?
While hair toners can be used regularly for color maintenance, you shouldn't use them every time you shower. Hazan says that although frequency depends on your hair type and the potency of your formula, toners should only be used two to three times per week. Perez also says users should patch test before using a toner for the first time in order to avoid skin irritation.
Meet the Experts
Luis Perez is a professional hairstylist and color designer who works with Julien Farel. He specializes in balayage and in creating natural, flattering looks for all skin tones and hair types. He is currently based in New York City
Rita Hazan is a professional hairstylist with over 30 years of experience. She specializes in hair color, having cut her teeth during the highlights and bleaching craze of the 1990s. She now has her own namesake hair salon in New York City, as well as her own line of color-safe hair products.
