FAQ: How do Toners Work?

This is a rough guide to toners and a quick search of the forum or the internet should give more information if needed.

Some semi-permanent hair dye brands have a lilac toner in their range and this is generally used to cover yellow tones in bleached hair (these lilac toners are often referred to as white toners).  If your hair still has yellow tones after bleaching and you would prefer a lighter or white result you can apply a lilac/white toner to the hair to hopefully lighten the hair to the desired colour.  As with all of these type of dyes a strand test is advised to check the results and processing time needed.  Please note that white toners are actually pale lilac dyes so if left on the hair too long you may end up with a purple tint to the hair so please check the results regularly and rinse off as soon as you reach your desired colour even if this is less than the time stated on the product.  And as with all of these type of semi-perm dyes do not apply conditioner to the hair before using them as this can act as a barrier and stop the dye from fully sticking to the hair. Toners can come in different shades such as green toners for removing red shades in the hair, but the most commonly referred to one is the lilac/white toner for covering/removing bleached yellow shades.  Toners can also be used to 'dilute' semi-permanent hair dyes such as Manic Panic and Special Effects, this mixing of colours can create new customised pastel shades of hair dye.  

Please post in the main forum section if you need more specific advice.