How I Am Grey Blending My Hair With Toners

Do you reveal or conceal your grey hair? 

I find that grey blending my hair is the best low-maintenance way to soften my greys while adding dimension to my existing colour.  The alternative of slathering on a permanent dye simply stopped working for my midlife hair.

Like my mum, I started to notice a sprinkle of grey in my early fifties, which is later than usual. Back then, I concealed the greys under a blanket of dye which I wrote about in 2021, see the post, here.

Later, I found the dye too harsh. I thought my skin tone and hair would benefit more by using a gentler semi-permanent dye which would allow my silver strands to shine through, naturally.

Since then, I have tried a mixture of toners to achieve a cooler, natural, untreated look. I still go to my hairdresser, Anna, for a half head of highlights, once, maybe twice, a year. There’s nothing like an expert cut and colour.

However, being a DIY toner and cut devotee has saved me quite a bit, expense-wise. And, I simply don’t have the time or money to be at the hairdresser’s every couple of weeks for a touch up.

You may ask the question, why don’t I just go full on grey? Currently, I’m enjoying this experimental stage and nothing disastrous has happened, yet.

I’m not quite ready for the full-on transition. I may be thinking along those lines when I tire of toning my hair. Who knows?

Grey Blending – What I’m Trying To Achieve

I use a mixture of toners to create a cool overtone, avoiding anything that may produce a brassy or a slightly orangey result. I do this in two stages.

First up, is the root touch-up. Then, a few days later, I apply different shades of toner to the rest of my hair, which I will detail, later. I’m no longer as dark as I was, not by a long shot. It seems even my base colour of mousy brown has lightened with age. The bonus of adapting to this new routine is that I can now go longer without a root touch-up, which can be up to five to six weeks, now and again. And, without the noticeable grey tramline, the re-growth isn’t as harsh as it once was.

One of the main things I have learned is to keep it light at the front, or try to achieve “hairline lights” as they are called in the trade.

Here’s a brief description of what they are:

“Money pieces are face-framing lightened sections at the front of your hair, designed to highlight and brighten your face, and provide a contrast to your all-over colour.”

John Frieda Website

The semi-permanent toners I use enhance the lighter shades of my hair, including the greys, freshening my colour up. They don’t lighten my hair as there is no peroxide in the solution. One of the other reasons I ditched the permanent dye was the dodgy aubergine cast that was left following a few washes. This clashed completely with my colouring.

The toners I occasionally use leave a yellowy tinge, especially if I have been on holiday in strong sunlight, or, if I need a toner update. But, there’s no strong brassiness, so far.

I also use an extremely good purple mask which helps to control any unwanted warmth in my hair (see below).

As I am a novice, I have slipped up, on occasion, leaving the toners on my hair for too long, resulting in my highlights disappearing. So, if you give this a go, leave your chosen toner on for less time and build it up to the required colour. This will reduce the risk of making mistakes. One thing to remember about semi-permanent toners is they wash out and fade over several weeks. So, the colour will fade, which is one of the reasons I have felt safer using them.

How to Pick the Right Toners for Your Shade

Hair dyes come in shade numbers. One being the darkest black, ten being platinum blond. Within each number, there are variants from warm to cool/ash. So, it’s not only about matching your shade but your tone, too. Most home hair colourants tend to come up warmer. So, if in doubt, opt for the neutral or ash/cool options within your hair colour number.

The Process I Use

I tone my hair in two stages, a few days apart. This may sound like a lot of work. But, I have been doing this for so long that it doesn’t take me much time. And, I find this method to be the easiest.

A trained hairdresser would do this in one go. I have tried and it didn’t work because I’m a novice. The solutions I use are quite runny and the dark was filtering into the greys and highlights. So, this way, I can be more precise and it works best for my inexperienced hand.

How I Check For Allergies

But, first, check for allergies (this is so important). You really don’t want an allergic reaction to the solution.

1. Measure out small equal amounts of the solutions;

2. Mix;

3. Dab the mixture on the inside of your elbow; and

4. Leave for 48 hours (keeping it dry).

If there is no itchiness or redness, then you are okay to use it.

First Stage Of Toning My Hair

I tone my roots, firstly, by applying a colour as near as possible to my now lighter base colour. I started with the 6NB but it was too dark. I now use the 7NB which I dilute with a measure of the gloss. I am going to give the 8NB a try, next time.

The Steps I Follow:

• Apply at the sink, wearing an old T-shirt, as this formula is quite runny.

• Brush hair, separating the money piece at the front and covering it with foil. This avoids darker toners splashing, here. This is a must, as it gives your hair that appearance of lights that we don’t want to lose.

• Section hair into three parts using a bobble to secure. I use a middle parting.

• Use a bowl for mixing the solutions, a tint brush to apply and a tail comb to separate the sections.

• Apply petroleum jelly around the hairline and ears, to protect the skin from the colour. Also use paper tissues or kitchen roll for splashes.

• Wear latex gloves to protect the skin from the solutions.

• Begin at the back section. Undo the bobble and start at the top. Then use the sharp end of the comb to separate sections, applying the toner at the very base of the roots.

• Flip the section up and over, keeping it in place with a clip.

• Add each section to the clip working down to the base of my neck. This is never a perfect job – the back section is always going to be difficult.

• Finish off by applying the tint to the base of the back at the nape of the neck, sweeping up two to three inches. This improves the texture, here, when I wear a ponytail or bun.

Then…..Carry On To The Two Remaining Sections

• Start at the top on the left side, separating the sections, carefully, and only applying the toner to the root.

• When reached, pay special attention to the temples and ear.

• Clip it all together to keep it away from the remaining section and foil covered money pieces at the front.

• Repeat the above process on the right section. Leave all sections for twenty minutes to develop – then wash, thoroughly

Then, A Few Days Later…..

The Second Stage Of Toning My Hair

• Cover the money piece in foil, once more.

• Section your hair into three, securing with a clip or bobble.

• Start at the base of your hair at the back section – this is because time is of the essence, and you don’t want the toner to dull highlights which sit on the top of your hair. So, do the top section, last.

• Work your way up, finishing this section by painting the toner on the top layer of hair near your parting.

• Do the same to the other two sections.

• Leave all sections for ten minutes, only.

• Then, remove the foil from the money piece. Apply the toner – then, leave for five minutes only, no longer – unless you want a darker tone around your face and hairline.

• Wash and condition.

Afterwards

I always use a good conditioner – preferably, one with Keratin. My hair always looks much improved and softer after using it.

These two stages may sound complicated and a lot of work but I’ve been using this method for a while. And, “practice makes perfect”. It can be a little messy and my only complaint is that the solution is a little bit runny, even though I use the thicker option. But, I have “sort of” got used to it, I guess.

The Redken purple conditioning mask I mentioned, earlier, removes any warmth – I couldn’t be without this product, as I do have a lot of natural red tones in my hair. I use this every few weeks, leaving it on my hair for no longer than five minutes, max. Any longer and there is the risk of purple hair. This is strong stuff!

This is not a sponsored post. It is purely a coincidence that these products are all by the brand, Redken. While doing my research, this brand was coming out as one of the top products for toning hair in a gentle way. It is a hairdressing product so not easy to get hold of for us laymen and women.

I source and buy, online, usually Amazon, Vinted or Ebay. Though, I did get excited the other day when I noticed a few Redken products in Boots (formerly, Boots the Chemist). Alas, everything but the EQ toners and purple mask. Hopefully, Boots may decide to sell them, soon.  We are now in the build up to Christmas – I will be back soon with a fashion post.  Until then….

Disclosure:

I hope you have enjoyed my post which may contain some affiliate links. If you click through to the product, there is no cost to you. The small commission I may earn helps me with the costs of running my blog.