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Original poster

Hairdresser uses toner every time I get highlights

25 replies

Lilonetwo · 03/02/2018 19:33

My usual hairdresser uses a (creamy, beige) toner every time I get highlights. I really like how it turns out when she does this. It sort of disguises the 'streaky' blonde and blends in with the natural bits she leaves out when weaving.

Whenever I visit another salon they never use a toner and I always leave with streaky, stringy highlights that are visible. I don't go to cheap salons and this has been 6-7 different salons.

My question is: is it very unusual to use a toner after highlights every time to get a desired colour/effect? Or is it bad practice? (One lady told me they only use a toner when they have made a mistake...)

On the salons price list today it was an extra £20 to use a toner....

OP posts:
Mylady · 03/02/2018 19:55

Toners arnt a mistake they are in my professional opinion a vital finish to any bleach process. A good tomer doesnt just colour ie tone it also seals the hair surface as any bleach raises the cuticle. It glosses the hair plus seals it againt sebacious grease from the scalp which can turn highlights orange x

dementedpixie · 03/02/2018 19:58

I was not happy with the highlights i got recently as they didn't use a toner and it looked terrible. I did go back and they got redone by someone else for free and she did use a toner this time! Toner evens out the colour and gets rid of brassy tones

dancemom · 03/02/2018 19:59

I always get a toner on mine, it makes them more subtle imo

ZeroFuchsGiven · 03/02/2018 20:01

I always have toner, makes such a difference.

StayGoldPonyBoy · 03/02/2018 20:04

I’m a hairdresser. I only don’t use a toner if the natural hair is very light so lifts cleanly on its own. 80% of my clients need a toner, otherwise they’d have brassy streaks instead of lovely blended highlights no matter how great my technique is. It definitely shouldn’t cost extra!

ZeroFuchsGiven · 03/02/2018 20:24

It definitely shouldn’t cost extra!

I've been paying £25 extra every time for toner! I'm not going back to that salon though as there is a few issues I'm not happy with.

Maremaremare · 03/02/2018 20:25

I found that in Australia all hairdressers use toner after doing highlights, whereas in the UK it is not the norm. It certainly makes the colour look a lot better (in my opinion)... I wonder if it makes hair dry though?

DrinkFeckArseGirls · 03/02/2018 20:28

Different salons over 15 years - toner used each time.

SellFridges · 03/02/2018 20:30

I’ve been having highlights for 20 years and have always had a toner added at the end. I do have naturally auburn hair which is tricky to lift.

rosegeorgia21 · 03/02/2018 20:38

As a hairdresser myself, I think I probably use toners 5% of the time. If the highlights are fine and colours have lifted to desired result there's not really much need for one in my opinion! I think the idea of a toner makes people think it looks better.. if you know what I mean.. X

IrregularCommentary · 03/02/2018 20:49

My hairdresser always uses a toner on me; never been an additional charge for it though.

Kitsharrington · 03/02/2018 20:54

Mine always tones after. Don’t think I’ve ever been charged for it though.

Mylady · 03/02/2018 21:03

A good quality toner should cost extra if they also have a price for highlights without a toner. Bit bizzar not to charge for an extra service.

Original poster
Lilonetwo · 03/02/2018 21:23

So my highlights look really quite streaky. My natural root is mousy blonde/light brown. So you can really see the white streaks so it looks stringy and cheap.
The rest of the hair isn't a white blonde. Could she have left it on too long? It always looks like this without a toner. It just doesn't blend in well with the rest of my hair.

Sad trying to find a colourist more local who does it like my previous hairdresser.

OP posts:
rosegeorgia21 · 03/02/2018 21:31

@Lilonetwo hi! How long did she leave it on for? The reason it probably looks quite stripey is that sometimes if the foils aren't fine enough or there's quite a contrast between the 2/3 colours that are being used.. hope that helps!! If it feels quite dry it may be that the bleach is slightly over processed x

dementedpixie · 03/02/2018 21:34

Did you not get a toner today? Go back and say you aren't happy. That's what i did when mine looked crap

crazycatgal · 03/02/2018 21:40

I normally have a toner applied after having my hair done, I don't want yellowey hair and I don't think many people want that either.

rosegeorgia21 · 03/02/2018 21:42

I agree with @dementedpixie , definitely go back if you're unhappy! It's a lot of money to pay for something you're not satisfied with xx

Original poster
Lilonetwo · 03/02/2018 22:23

rosegeorgia I don't actually think she left it on too long. It's not dry. I'm actually very pleased with the condition. I'm not hugely upset this time. Just disappointed.
I might phone tomorrow if they are open and see if they will put a toner through it. And in future always insist on having one.

I am very fussy with my hair colour unfortunately Blush

I'm glad to hear most of you also have toners. I thought I would be unreasonable by insisting they use one. I just hope they don't charge me for it.

OP posts:
Digon · 05/12/2023 21:30

most of the salons high end salons near me charge £20-£30 pounds for a toner🫤

Digon · 05/12/2023 21:34

I’ve had a toner a couple of times but I found it made my blond hair a little on the green ash side🤔

Asuitableboy · 05/12/2023 21:42

I moved to a salon that uses toner post highlights about 6 months back and think it really helps, probably depends on your hair colour etc. it’s definitely not the norm round where I am and does cost extra.

MrsMerryMistletoe · 06/12/2023 01:02

I always have a toner and it costs extra. To my knowledge all of the places around here do so. In the SE.

superplumb · 09/12/2023 19:18

Mine never uses toner. Feel.hard done by now

Digon · 17/12/2023 11:35

But surely it’s not an extra service if it’s a necessary part of the process ie closing cuticles from bleach application…?

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