Can you tone bleached hair? And what do you need to consider to achieve a beautiful and even finish? We reveal the options available, which shades work best, and how to properly care for your hair afterwards. All so, if you do decide to use toner after bleaching, the end-result is just what you were looking for.
You've currently got bleached hair but fancy a colour change? Then toning is often the better choice over permanent colouring. Toners are far gentler on bleached hair than permanent dyeing, which is important as your hair is likely already stressed from the lightening process.
Still, if you're considering colouring your hair at home, there are a few things to bear in mind to ensure you get a beautiful and even finish.
When can you tone your hair after bleaching?
If you've just bleached your hair and aren't happy with the result, you'll need a bit of patience. The reason? Your hair is likely badly damaged from the chemical lightening process and urgently needs a break first, accompanied by plenty of care.
Depending on how dry and/or weakened your hair is, you should wait at least two weeks before attempting to tone your hair after bleaching.
This isn't just about your hair's long-term health, either. It is also about achieving a beautiful and even toner result. Bleached hair has a roughened surface, and this can cause a toner's colour particles to deposit unevenly on the hair.
In short, toning bleached hair is perfectly possible and great results can certainly be achieved, but patience and care are a must.
You have two broad options: a) wash-out toner, which you can expect to last approximately 5 to 8 washes, or b) intensive toner, which will last around 6 to 8 weeks.
However, it's also possible that, whichever toner you choose, the washing out period will take longer than advertised.
That’s because toner normally affixes to the hair's outer cuticle layer. However, bleaching strips the hair’s outer cuticle layer of its natural colour and generally weakens the hair structure. With particularly damaged or weakened bleached hair, the toner may penetrate deeper into the hair fibre.
If that happens, it’s likely that any colour will take longer to wash out than under non-bleached circumstances. So, make sure you are certain of your choice before starting the toning process!
Beyond general hair condition, the lightness of your hair should also be considered. If your hair is particularly light, it is entirely possible it will fall beyond the recommended application range of darker toners. In that case, wash-out times and final colours can be harder to predict.
Still, if you are set on a change of pace, a suitable tone is the safest, gentlest option for you and your hair.
If you do decide to tone your bleached hair, the first step is finding a suitable shade.
If your natural hair colour is a warmer tone, deeper colours such as golden blonde, chestnut or chocolate brown can look amazing.
Alternatively, if your natural hair colour is a cooler tone, consider a complementary toner like ash brown, cool chestnut or icy blonde.
For deeper insight, our guide on choosing the right hair colour can help you find the perfect shade to match your skin tone and natural colouring. And, of course, if you're still unsure which toner for bleached hair best suits you, it’s never a bad idea to consult a professional stylist.
Generally speaking, the darker you want to tone bleached hair, the more challenging the task. The bleaching process has left your hair with a more roughened surface than normal, and this can make it harder for colour particles to adhere uniformly. This risk becomes more pronounced the darker you go.
To avoid unevenly dyed hair, it is important to apply the toner slowly and with care. A distinctive green tint can also develop on bleached hair, if you’re not careful. This is typically caused by an absence of red colour particles, which are stripped away during the bleaching process.
If you want to guarantee the best results, working with a professional colourist or performing an initial strand test can help you avoid any unwanted surprises.
To ensure your hair looks glossy and healthy after toning, plenty of care is needed.
Firstly, it's always important to use a colour-protection care series for coloured or toned hair regardless, but especially so for hair that has also recently been bleached. This will help your hair maintain a nice sheen and the correct colour for as long as possible.
For more, check out our guide on how to dye and repair your hair for the healthiest results.
Our top tip: Work a hair mask into your routine from time to time. Leave the colour-protection in and wrap your hair in a towel for one to two hours to really let it work its magic.
Between washes, a few drops of hair oil or leave-in treatment can also help prolong the perfect tone and assist in hair-health recovery.
Finally, if you are considering colouring your own hair, our comprehensive guide on how to dye your own hair at home is filled with tips and guidance to help you achieve professional results.