Hair toning, a color correction technique for dyed or natural hair, involves applying a semi-permanent or demi-permanent dye to eliminate unwanted tones and enhance the desired hair color. For instance, if hair appears too brassy after a bleach session, a toner can neutralize those brassy tones, resulting in a more ashy or beige color.
Toning is crucial for achieving a cohesive and natural-looking hair color. It can correct uneven or faded colors, add depth and dimension, and enhance shine. Historically, hair toning emerged in the 1950s as a way to maintain platinum blonde hair without the need for frequent bleaching.