A Guide to Toner Masks: What Are They and Why Do You Need Them?
In the world of haircare, there’s a golden rule: “Trust the process”. But let me spoil it for you – if there’s no toner involved, be ready to be disappointed. Unwanted brassiness, uneven tones, and a whole lot of yellow is coming your way. Toner masks are non-negotiable, neutralising those pesky undertones that are distracting from your desired shade. Whether you’re a platinum blonde, a sultry brunette or somewhere in between, toners are guaranteed to do you justice.
What are hair toners and what do they do?
At its essence, a hair toner is a specialised hair product designed to alter the undertones of your hair colour. But what does that mean exactly? Let’s break it down.
When you lighten or darken your hair, whether through bleaching, highlighting, or colouring, you’re essentially stripping away or depositing pigment to achieve a desired shade. However, during this process, underlying pigments can be exposed, leading to unwanted brassiness, yellowing, or other off tones.
Don’t say I didn’t warn you, hair toners are NOT a hair colour – they simply just work to alter an existing tone. They won’t drastically change your hair, but they work wonders in achieving a beautiful looking shade, taking your hair from meh to marvellous.
But wait, there’s more. Toners for hair take bright yellow shades and turn them to more natural looking shades, or ashy shades, similar to that of purple shampoo. Toners aren’t just for blondes, they’re for all hues in the rainbow, including brunettes battling brassy orange tones.
And here’s the kicker: toners aren’t just about colour correction. With minimal to no ammonia, they’re a healthy choice for your hair, even if it’s seen better days. They’ll amp up the shine, add depth, and take your hair game to new heights. We’re waiting for you, bestie.

How to apply hair toner?
I finally did it, I made my own DIY vegan, cruelty-free, Hair Toners. I know you’re eager to use them but wait! Let me walk you through the process before you jump in and then point fingers at me if things don’t go as planned.
- First things first, you must be wearing gloves to protect your hands from staining
- Start with clean, freshly washed and towel dried hair to ensure maximum absorption
- Next, evenly distribute the toner throughout your strands, paying special attention to areas in need of a clean tone
- Let the magic work for 3 to 10 minutes
- When done, rinse thoroughly with water until it runs clear
And there you have it, darlings! You’re officially in the know about the magic of hair toners. No more flying blind when it comes to banishing brassiness or adding that extra oomph to your locks. With a little patience, which I know can be hard, and attention to detail, you can achieve salon-worthy results from the comfort of your own home. So what are you waiting for?!