Toning

Toning changes the tone of your hair without changing how light it is. It's what turns brassy yellow into soft beige, warms an ashy result, or puts shine back into colour that has faded and gone flat.

A toner or gloss sits on the hair rather than lifting it, so it's a quick, gentle appointment — and the fastest way to make existing colour look freshly done.

• Assessment of your current tone and what's achievable
• Toner or gloss applied to adjust the tone and add shine
• Short development time with monitoring
• Rinse, condition and blow-dry finish
• Advice on stretching the time before your next colour

Allow about 30 minutes. Your stylist looks at your current tone and agrees the target with you, then applies the toner through the areas that need it.

Development is quick and watched closely, then your hair is rinsed, conditioned and dried.

Anyone whose highlights or lightened hair have gone brassy or yellow, anyone whose colour looks faded and dull, and anyone who wants a shine refresh between bigger colour appointments.

Toner fades faster than permanent colour, so gentle care matters. Use sulphate-free shampoo, wash in cooler water and wash less often. A toning shampoo used once every week or two extends the result.

Most toners hold for four to six weeks.

• Book a toner halfway between colour appointments to keep your tone consistent
• Toner changes tone, not lightness — you'll need lightening if you want to go lighter
• Hard water and swimming pools shift tone quickly; rinse with clean water after swimming
• Don't overdo purple shampoo at home; it can leave a dull cast