Believe it or not, I'm someone who has only ever altered the color of their hair using natural, plant-based, and nonpermanent dyes with the guidance of my hairstylist. However, I've always been curious about the steps people take to maintain their color-treated strands after they've invested in an at-home or in-salon treatment. Are there products non-colorists can access to help with upkeep? Can the same gloss- and vibrancy-boosting products be used for all hair types and textures?
Apparently, these same questions are shared by enough people to prompt "What is hair gloss?" and "What is hair toner?" to appear as the third and sixth results when "what is hair…" is typed in the search box. It turns out that even individuals who've had their hair dyed aren't sure what toner is or why skipping out on it can be a huge mistake. If you have color-treated hair and have yet to use the product or just want to know if it can help non–color treated strands, you'll want to keep reading.
Below, find out what toner is and how to get the most out of using it and shop expert-approved product recommendations to keep your color-treated hair looking its best.
What is hair toner, and how is it used?
I tapped two colorists and stylists for their takes on the widely misunderstood product. "Hair toners are a great tool for enhancing color-treated hair—they can be used in between salon appointments to maintain the color vibrancy of your strands," explains Rita Hazan, celebrity colorist and founder of Rita Hazan Salon. They are also helpful for enhancing the overall health of your hair, specifically when it comes to repairing hair cuticles, reducing breakage, and adding eye-catching shine to the strands.
"The biggest benefit to note about toners is that they are what ties your entire color service together. When you get highlights, your stylist is using a lightener that is lifting and removing pigment from the hair. It leaves the hair in an alkaline state, therefore making it susceptible to damage if not toned," adds Adrienne Dara, a Redken global brand ambassador, hair educator, and design specialist. Put simply, adding a high-performing toner to your colorcare routine will restore hair to a healthy PH, protecting, hydrating, and smoothing your luscious locks.
Color is a false pigment that will inevitable fade, which is why it's so important to invest in regular toner services to upkeep color between your full-treatment appointments, especially for individuals sporting brown, red, and copper shades. "The pigment is stronger, and with fading comes the loss of richness. It is crucial to talk to your stylist about your one-year hair plan and how often you should be coming into the salon," Dara continues. Take this as your official sign to schedule a toning appointment before you've even left the salon after getting color.
Choosing the Best Formula
Hazan wants anyone in the market for a toner to be aware of the ingredients found in a formula. "Make sure your toner has good ingredients to prevent any damage, look for moisturizing agents such as vitamin B5 or açaí extract, and always make sure it's free of ammonia," she says. According to Hazan, it's also important to know that your hair color will fade a little with each wash. When your strands are dyed correctly, fading is subtle and completely normal. She advises staying on top of your toner schedule and discovering which products will best treat your color.
Of all the toners Dara has used, she swears by the Redken Shades EQ product line due to its acidic formulas. "The beauty of the line is that it not only deposits strong elements of hydration and moisture to the hair but one-of-a-kind color as well. With Shades EQ, stylists have the freedom to create customized colors with over 100+ series to choose from," she shares. Dara recommends only undergoing a hair toning treatment at a salon from a licensed cosmetologist but also believes that there are a few standout products to help with color upkeep at home, such as the Redken Acidic Color Gloss Treatment.
If you have color-treated hair, you're in luck! Below, I'm sharing more toner product picks from Hazan and Dara as well as a few of my favorites.
Expert Favorites
"The Redken Acidic Color Gloss Activated Glass Gloss Treatment is a great two-in-one alternative that has deep-conditioning additives to ensure healthy hair. [It] helps to protect color from becoming dull and fading. Also, [it's] sulfate-free." — Hazan
"This incredible product allows clients to now extend the life of their Shades EQ gloss, therefore allowing you to have the color you loved in the stylist chair even longer!" — Dara
Customer Review: "I loved the ease of using the Redken Color Gloss at home and how shiny and smooth my hair was for days after. Definitely a part of my hair routine and truly helps keep my salon colored hair looking amazing!"
"My very own True Color Shine Gloss is a clean, lightweight formula that is great for in between salon visits. It has a high color pigment payment and leaves hair looking bouncy and shiny—like leaving the salon with a fresh blowout." — Hazan
Customer Review: "I love this in-shower hair gloss. I've been using it for a year now and everyone is always commenting on how shinny my hair is. This is a must have for me and I always have two back up bottles on hand. Love, love, love."
"This treatment has UV protection, which is super important during the summer months. You can use it once a week in place of your shampoo, and it helps seal the cuticles and protect from any environmental aggressors." — Hazan
Customer Review: "I love R+Co products and have been using them for years. I decided to try this one and it gives my hair so much shine and softness! It has a pearlescent shimmer that boosts the shine! I will keep buying this!"
For Brunettes
This in-shower treatment is formulated to boost vibrancy and shine while neutralizing warm tones for dark-blonde or light-brown hair. It also adds dimension to color-treated or non–color treated hair.
Customer Review: "This is my go-to toner between salon visits. This will pick your hair back up again! It makes it shiny and soft while correcting the brass. It’s an inexpensive way to keep your hair lasting between your stylist visits."
Here's another in-shower treatment that enhances tone, boosts shine, and deeply conditions strands, leaving a fresh wash of color. Suitable for all hair types, textures, and color-treated or virgin hair, it's a must for maintaining fresh-looking, shiny strands.
Customer Review: "This is THE best conditioner I've ever used. Not only does it give you great color, but it makes hair manageable and shiny. Refreshing your color or changing it is easy and this product does it without harsh chemicals or dyes. 5 stars!"
The mask in Ash Brown is the secret to maintaining cool ash shades with nourishing and color-enhancing effects. Its formula uses sweet almond and buriti oil with an acidic 4.5 pH to correct natural oxidation and evenly distribute color.
Customer Review: "I love this toning conditioner so much! I have light brown hair that gets brassy easily and have tried chemical toners that do not work and just damage my hair. I have been looking for something like this for so long! It tones my hair to a perfect ash brown and conditions it at the same time. It is an amazing product! I use it once a week."
For Blondes
Shimmering blonde shades are notoriously hard to upkeep, but the Feria Power Toner in Ice Blonde makes it that much easier. It's an ammonia-free semipermanent toner that helps eliminate brass shades and add cool tones to reduce warmth.
Customer Review: "The L'Oréal Paris Feria Long-Lasting Anti Brass Power Hair Toner saved me! I had colored my hair, and it came out so incredibly brassy it almost looked orange. This toner totally saved the day. It took all all the brassiness in my hair. I would totally recommend and use it again."
This toner delivers high-gloss shine and enhanced color for blonde shades with sheer color. It quickly and effectively reduces brass and adds shine while delivering a sheer wash of color that stays put for up to three weeks.
Customer Review: "I used the Luminous Pearl color over my existing dark blond/reddish color. It faded the brass and left my hair toned down to a neutral color base with incredible shine and softness. Says lasts up to three weeks. Definitely purchasing again!"
Use this color-depositing, conditioning hair mask to enhance color intensity while offering shine, dimension, and hydration. Its formula lasts for up to 10 washes and features salon-grade pigments for professional-quality results.
Customer Review: "I have been going to the salon for years now, but I no longer have the time to do so. This product is absolutely gorgeous and I loved the results! It's so easy and fast to use, just wear gloves because it can stain your hands for a bit. But I put it on clean, dry hair for 15 minutes as jt says in the directions, and I got such a beautiful result!"
For Redheads
According to Dara, red/auburn shades have a tendency to fade quickly. Glaze's Super Color Conditioning Gloss in Auburn Spice boosts color vibrancy, repairs damage, and adds shine using naturally derived babassu oil.
Customer Review: "This gloss at this price is unbeatable. I have hair past my shoulders and I can get more than 2 uses out of this product. It makes my hair smooth, but the color depositing is my favorite part. This red tone adds a lovely warmth to my darker brown hair."
If you have copper hair, add Wella's Color Fresh Mask in Copper Glow to your colorcare lineup. Within 10 minutes of use, you'll notice a temporary color refresh that will help you maintain and revive copper shades.
Customer Review: "I dye my hair red, and this mask has been such a fun way to refresh my color and add some more pink tones. It looks great and helps keep away the orange tones I get when my hair fades. I recommended it to all of my friends looking for a fun way to try out hair color or refresh current color."
IGK's color-depositing, conditioning hair mask enhances color vibrancy while adding shine to your strands using salon-grade pigments for professional-quality results in minutes using a semipermanent formula.
Customer Review: "I went from bright blonde to Cowboy Copper but it doesn't stay very long since I bleached my hair for so long. But this is a game changer for in between appointments! The On the Money color is perfect. The first picture is my hair about 4 weeks out from my hair appointment- faded and dry. The second is after using the mask, washing and drying. I’m obsessed. Definitely use gloves. I put it on dry hair for 15 minutes."
For All Shades
This easy-to-apply hair gloss/toning treatment improves color, boosts gloss, and adds a reflective sheen for color-treated hair. Its powerful formula uses a combination of shine enhancers and pore menders to target damaged strands.
Customer Review: "Love this product! I have tried other glazes, and John Frieda is the best. It subtly colors grays and looks like highlights. I have gotten lots of compliments on my hair. Has helped going gray easy. I apply it just to my roots every time I wash my hair and leave it on for 5 minutes. Works great."
The Glossy Glaze in Sheer adds instant shine while smoothing away frizz and providing a hint of sheer, temporary color. It lasts for up to three washes, doesn't weight the hair down, and can be used on natural or color-treated hair.
Customer Review: "I love, love, love this product. It left my hair looking super healthy! And an added bonus it smelled great! I will definitely be buying this product from now on. It's a must have in my home now! My hair will be fantastic."
Pureology's high-gloss clear topcoat restores shine and vibrancy for all hair types and textures while also adding softness and a high-shine, reflective finish. It uses oat milk and camellia oil to condition, smooth, and nourish.
Customer Review: "I was blown away with this! I had gotten a sample and rushed to buy the full size as soon as it was out. A little goes a long way, and my hair is so soft and retains its style even with the humidity this time of year. I really love this stuff."
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