Hair dye and toner is a delicate art. That’s why there are specialists in the field. So if you’re unsure how or how often to use toner, listen to them.
L’Oreal, Olaplex, Joico, and other leading brands in the field of hair care all have recommendations. And they are slightly different.
So what is the right way to do it? It depends on your hair, the product, and more.
In this article, we’ve collected the top tips from experts, so you can get the best results with your toning shampoo.
How Often to Use Toning Shampoo?
Toning shampoos are designed to help maintain the color and tone of your hair. But how often should you use toning shampoo without damaging your hair?
Experts recommend to use toning shampoo anywhere from once to three times a week. But the real answer is that it depends on your hair type, the color of your hair, and the frequency of your hair washing.
Main Factors
The main factors when it comes to frequency of use are:
- Your hair type (lighter hair may need more frequent use)
- Hair washing (if you wash your hair often, you’ll need to use it more)
- Your hair color (if you develop brassy tones fast, you’ll need to use it more)
If you have very light hair, you may need to use toning shampoo every other day or every few days. This helps keep your hair from turning yellow or brassy.
If you wash your hair frequently, you may also need to use toning shampoo more often. Use a gentle toning shampoo that is designed for frequent use. Some toning shampoos can be harsh and drying.
If you have a tendency to develop brassy tones quickly, you’ll also need to use toning shampoo more.
Can You Use Toning Shampoo Every Day?
No, you should not use toning shampoo every day. Using toning shampoo every day can cause your hair to become dry, brittle, and dull. It can also lead to discoloration, which is the opposite of what you’re trying to achieve.
Toning shampoo is designed to neutralize unwanted tones in the hair. It contains pigments that help to cancel out unwanted tones and leave your hair looking brighter and shinier.
But, these pigments can also build up in the hair if used too frequently. This can lead to an unnatural color and a lack of shine.
Learn more: How to Use Toning Shampoo
Common Mistakes: Overuse & Underuse
You want to avoid overusing or underusing toning shampoo. Both will end with unwanted results, such as discoloration or no effect at all.
What Happens When You Use Toning Shampoo too Often?
Using toning shampoo too often can result in dry, brittle hair. Toning shampoo can also strip your hair of its natural oils if used excessively. This can lead to hair breakage, split ends, and an overall dull appearance.
On top of this, it can also lead to discoloration. When the colored pigments build up in your hair, you’ll notice a tint.
If you’re using purple shampoo, your hair will turn purple. If you’re using blue shampoo, it’ll turn blue.
To avoid overusing toning shampoo, follow the directions. And start out light. You can also do a strand test to see the effect before using it on all of your hair.
What Happens When You Don’t Use Toning Shampoo Enough?
On the other hand, not using toning shampoo enough will leave you with brassy hair. The pigments in the toning shampoo won’t be able to keep up with the brassy tones, and you won’t see results.
If your hair is still brassy (yellow, orange, or red) it is a sign that you are not using toning shampoo enough.
Signs You Are Using Toning Shampoo Too Much
There are three signs you’re using toning shampoo too much:
- Discoloration: Your hair is turning purple.
- Dryness: Your hair is getting dry.
- Dullness: Your hair is getting dull and dark.
Discoloration
The first sign to look out for is discoloration. As mentioned, the discoloration depends on the toning shampoo you’re using:
- Purple shampoo leaves a purple/violet tint.
- Blue shampoo leaves a blue tint.
- Green shampoo leaves a green tint.
Dryness
Second, dryness. You don’t want dry hair. And the reason experience it, is because your hair is stripped of its oils. Or because there isn’t enough moisture in your hair.
If you overuse toning shampoo, this can happen.
Dullness
Dullness is the last issue. When you’re using too much toning shampoo, your hair loses shine instead of gaining it. This is due to the product buildup and because your hair is stripped of oils.
How Long Does It Take for Toning Shampoo to Work?
Results are not always immediate with toning shampoo. Some people see great results with one wash, while other people need to use it twice.
You also have to leave the shampoo in your hair for it to work. Typically, it takes about 3-5 minutes for toning shampoo to work.
Read the instructions on the bottle as some toning shampoos may require a different amount of time to sit in your hair.
If you’re unsure about how long to leave your toning shampoo in, start with the minimum recommended time. Gradually increase the time as you see how your hair reacts.
Tips From the Top Brands
Here’s what the top brands in hair care say about the use of toning shampoo:
| Brand | Recommended Usage |
|---|---|
| Olaplex | 2-3 times per week |
| Kérastase | 2 times per week |
| Joico | 2-3 times per week, alternating with daily shampoo |
| L’Oreal | Start with once a week, adjust as needed |
How Often Can You Use Olaplex Toning Shampoo?
Olaplex Toning Shampoo is a popular choice for those with colored hair. The brand recommends using it 2-3 times per week or as often as needed to neutralize unwanted brassiness.
How Often Can You Use Kérastase Toning Shampoo?
Kérastase recommends using their toning shampoo 2 times a week along with a shampoo and conditioner for color-treated hair.
How Often Can You Use Joico Toning Shampoo?
Joico recommends using it 2-3 times a week, alternating with your daily shampoo. For best results, follow with the Color Balance Purple Conditioner.
How Often Can You Use L’Oreal Toning Shampoo?
L’Oreal recommend to start out light. Use their toning shampoo once a week and assess how it affects your hair. If you need to use it more often, you can do that.
As with any toning shampoo, be sure to follow the recommended usage guidelines to avoid dryness and damage.
Differences Between Purple, Blue & Green Shampoo?
When it comes to toning shampoos, there are a few different color options available.
Purple, blue, and green shampoo all work to neutralize unwanted tones in your hair, but each color is designed to target specific shades.
How Often Can I Use Purple Toning Shampoo?
Purple shampoo is ideal for those with blonde, silver, or bleached hair, as well as those with brassy hair. It contains violet pigments that neutralize yellow tones.
When it comes to how often you can use purple toning shampoo, it ultimately depends on how brassy your hair is.
Most brands recommend using purple shampoo once or twice a week.
How Often Can I Use Blue Toning Shampoo?
Blue shampoo is for brunettes who want to neutralize orange tones in their hair. It contains blue pigments that cancel out these warm tones.
Like purple shampoo, how often you use blue toning shampoo depends on how brassy your hair is. Most brunettes should use blue shampoo once a week.
How Often Can I Use Green Toning Shampoo?
Green shampoo is less common than purple or blue shampoo, but it is useful for dark hair with unwanted red tones. It contains green pigments that cancel out these warm tones.
As with purple and blue shampoo, the frequency depends. But Matrix, a popular green shampoo brand, recommend using it once or twice a week.
Toning Shampoo vs. Hair Toner
Toning shampoo and hair toner both tone the hair. But how often to use the two differs.
The main difference between the two, is that hair toner is a stronger product. It’s recommended to use hair toner every 6-8 weeks to maintain your hair color, which is much less frequent than toning shampoo.
