Hairdresser advice on toner pls

[iwishiwasonacruise]

I had balayage on virgin medium brown ashy hair a year ago, was never happy with it as the blond was never blond enough for me. They had another go at it in July but it still wasn't really what I wanted. Left it and let it grow out since July last year.

Had an appt with another hairstylist at the beginning of Jan, told her I wanted it more like ombre, and less like balayage, lighter blond on the ends and a bigger and brighter money piece and face framing pieces. She did exactly what I wanted in that respect, I have long hair and said I didn't want the top third of my hair (my virgin roots) touched with bleach, as I like my root colour, and I like the contrast, she said no problem.

The blond is all fabulous.

However, she put a toner on all over, after the bleach, and I'm sure it's given me slightly hot roots on my virgin hair. It's only really noticeable along my middle parting, and it's like a golden glow that was never there before. I'm super aware of it glowing, and I've never been a fan or warm or fake looking tones on my own hair. But is this even possible?

I'm sure it's also a bit lighter as my hair has grown very slightly and I think my tiny roots are darker.

How could this have happened? And what can I use to darken it down slightly and get my flat ashy root colour back? I love my normal root colour and I'm scared I won't be able to get it back exactly the same and then I'll forever have visible roots, either lighter or darker!

I'm embarrassed to ask her, as I double checked about the toner, and she said the toner wouldn't change my virgin hair at all.

Thanks if anyone can explain or suggest 🙏🏼

Hi there, I am not a hairdresser, but do my own hair and know from experience, a toner can lift virgin roots, esp if the vol is above 10 and deposited on dry hair, although toners are usually not applied with nether of those! Hairdressers sometimes do this intentionally and call this "base breaking", when they slightly want to lift the base. You can put a semi that matches your natural colour over the roots and blend it (YouTube has some good tutorials) but when this toner fades, the slightly lifted hair will still be there, and the best way to blend it in the long run will prob be highlighting or slicing. You probably will have a slight banding but toners can be used to help mask. Your hair is always growing and your natural roots will soon come in and the difference in colour will not be as noticeable when it is not at the very top of your head. Hope this helps! 😊