Calling all highlighted, balayaged, and blondes. We all love how our hair looks after we visit the salon. Our cut is just right. Our color looks amazing. Then a few weeks go by and your highlighted hair turns yellow or brassy.
As a professional hairdresser and makeup artist, I have just the savvy tip you need to prolong your color when you get home.
First, here’s what you should know about hair color:
When you’re not a natural blonde but want ribbons of it in your hair, it must go through phases of lift. The darker you are naturally, the more orange the lift. That’s just the way it is, it has to go through this process.
Your hairdresser must put what’s called a toner on the brassy parts to cool it down. The porosity of your hair has changed through this color process. Meaning, the toner will not stick forever. BUT there are options to keep the color looking salon perfect.
Option ONE is to schedule a toner refresh appointment every 3 to 4 weeks with your hairdresser. This normally costs anywhere from $70 – 100. This option guarantees you to have the perfect blonde or blonde highlights because your hairdresser will customize the toner color for your needs. Also with this treatment, most hairstylists will do a bonding conditioning treatment as part of this process.
Option TWO is what I suggest the most and that’s to invest in a TONING SHAMPOO. I always have this product on hand for my clients to purchase. When you buy from your hairdresser, you are going to get salon quality products and help support their small business as well.
Toning shampoo only needs to be used once a week, meaning it will last you a long time. It’s worth the splurge, so that you can keep your color looking amazing. Not to mention how easy it is to just shampoo in while showering.
There are many toning shampoos out there but not all of them work as they state. Good thing for you, I have experimented with many of them. Below is a breakdown of the toning shampoos I recommend that actually work.
For anyone who is all over blonde some toning shampoos can be too pigmented, and with porous ends you need to be careful. Pulp Riot Barcelona Toning Shampoo is for you.
Got balayage highlights? Traditional balayage is not done in foils, it’s painted lightener on strands of hair that air lifts. Because of the air lifting you will only get so much lightness and warmer tones. To cool down the warmth use Fanola Toning Shampoo, comes in two different formulations.
If your hair was lifted to a honey or caramel balayage, the Fanola No Orange Toning Shampoo is for you. See examples below.
If you have more blonde, the Fanola No Yellow Toning Shampoo is your go to.
Another good toning shampoo for highlights and balayage is Schwarzkoph Goodbye Yellow Shampoo. This has a blue/purple pigment to it, so it’s pretty universal.
I don’t suggest this one for all over blondes or platinums. The color pigments are very strong in this toning shampoo and is best for highlights, balayage and even medium brunettes who want to cool down the warmth in their hair color.
For any hair related questions, please leave in the comments below and let us know how you like these toning shampoos if you try them.