Toning and full-on coloring are the two most common ways to change the color of your hair. Each method has its own advantages, but how can you decide which is best for you?
Toning is frequently used to improve or modify your hair’s existing color. It enhances shine and adds a subtle touch to give a more natural look. Toning might be the best option if you’re searching for something gentler and less commitment-demanding for your hair.
However, hair coloring provides a striking contrast. Coloring offers a wide range of color options and long-lasting results, whether you’re covering up gray hair or going for a bold new shade.
It’s crucial to comprehend each option’s requirements as well as how they vary in terms of maintenance, impact, and effect on the health of your hair before choosing one.
| Aspect | Toning | Hair Coloring |
| Color intensity | Gives a soft, subtle change | Provides a bold, permanent result |
| Longevity | Lasts for a few weeks | Lasts for months |
| Hair damage | Less damaging to hair | Can cause more damage |
| Maintenance | Requires frequent touch-ups | Touch-ups needed less often |
| Best for | Enhancing natural color | Completely changing hair color |
Similarities and distinctive features
One type of hair coloring that doesn’t require the use of strong ammonia ingredients that eat into each hair strand is tinting. For superficial hair coloring, specific tint balms, tonics, and mousses are used. Furthermore, if any of these products do contain hydrogen peroxide, it’s in trace amounts—they actually improve the curls’ structural integrity.
Toning cosmetics typically consist of the following ingredients:
- coloring pigment;
- herbal extract;
- UV filters;
- keratin;
- vitamins;
- and other components that help restore your curls.
For those who would rather use a gentle dyeing method, tinted balms and tonics are simply wonderful.
Dyeing results in a total color shift. Because permanent dyes contain an oxidizer, they can go deep into the hair strands. The colorant initially infiltrates the hair strands’ scales, and subsequently proceeds deeper into the hair stem to modify the inherent pigment.
Unique attributes:
- with traditional dyeing, you can radically change the color, while toning gives the curls a shade that is 1-3 tones different from the main one;
- for standard dyeing, ammonia dyes are used that penetrate deep into the hair structure, and with toning, the effect is more gentle;
- the color on toned strands does not last as long as on dyed ones;
- the coloring pigment is washed out more evenly during toning, which does not require regular touch-up of the roots;
- if the tonic contains additional components, then the dyeing procedure can be called therapeutic, which cannot be said about ammonia dye.
We recently discovered the distinction between hair coloring and toning. Then, what is superior? Everything is based on the intended outcome. Coloring is the best option if you want a vibrant, long-lasting color. Do you want to give your hair a little TLC and change it slightly for a short while? In this case, using toning agents is necessary.
It’s crucial to remember that some tonics might include hydrogen peroxide in order to correct the color. Should your curls be excessively fragile and lifeless, we advise against even undergoing the toning process.
For what purpose is it carried out
Tonic or dye then? Quite a challenging question.
Not only can high-quality hair dye give you a long-lasting effect, but it can also drastically change your appearance.
Tonics are employed for:
- “refresh” your image for a couple of weeks;
- slightly shade natural hair;
- correct strands previously dyed using the highlighting or coloring technique;
- remove yellowness that appeared during bleaching of strands;
- revive curls and give them shine.
No tonic will help you turn into a blonde girl if you’re a burning brunette. In this instance, you must first use an oxidizer to bleach your hair (3–9%, depending on the original color and structure of the hair), and only after that can you use a tonic or dye.
Among the tinting agents, experts point out:
- tint shampoos (give your hair an interesting shade; to achieve the desired effect, it is advisable to use them several times during the week);
- sprays(instant-action cosmetics, which are used mainly for coloring over regrown roots);
- foam (can correct color and eliminate yellowness);
- balm (will help to carry out light coloring and moisturize your curls; lasts about a month);
- semi-permanent dye (provides a long-lasting effect for up to 3 months).
Tonic is a good choice for girls who often switch up their appearance.
Take note! It is possible to paint over gray hair with both tonic and dye. However, you must evaluate the level of gray hair coverage in this instance. To get a complete result, use dye if this percentage is 30 percent or greater.
It’s crucial to comprehend the distinctions between hair coloring and toning before making a decision. Toning is a more delicate option that can add subtle changes or enhance your natural shade; it’s ideal for people who want temporary, low-maintenance results. If you want a dramatic color change, hair coloring is a better option because it involves a more permanent transformation and can significantly change your appearance. The best option will rely on your preferred level of maintenance, the health of your hair, and the desired result. Both have advantages and disadvantages.
What is cheaper
Compared to bleaching or regular hair coloring, tinting will be far less expensive. Shampoos with tints start at 200 rubles. The following options for color and tone are available to you:
- cold "blond";
- garnet or copper for red and brown hair;
- with a silvery sheen or pearlescent tint;
- with an anti-yellow effect to eliminate the red tint after bleaching;
- for gray curls;
- with a UV filter;
- purple and eggplant;
- sand;
- brown.
Sprays for matting shades cost a little more. Depending on the brand, their cost varies from 400 to 1200 rubles. For tinting, mousses and stumps typically cost 600 rubles. Balms are priced starting at 250 rubles.
In contrast, a tiny tube of the most basic paint costs 450 rubles.
Pros and cons
Girls who bleached their hair or who wish to add more saturation to their natural curls should consider the tinting process.
Benefits of applying tint:
- sparing effect on the structure, in some cases even treatment;
- Correction of the outgoing color;
- makes the hair more smooth and silky due to their moisture;
- creates a protective film due to the fact that it grinds scales;
- eliminates red -haired in case of lightening;
- it costs cheaper than ordinary paint.
One of the drawbacks of tinting is that it only lasts for two to three weeks and only paints in two to three tones. The drawbacks of the "soft" staining methods are beginning to outweigh the benefits of ammonia dyes. The coloring pigment is able to deeply penetrate the hair structure, resulting in a vibrant and deep color that lasts for two to three months.
Recall! Make sure to give your hair the right care if you decide to use a lightener or dye. Reduce the amount of time you spend using an iron and hair dryer, and occasionally use masks that are nourishing and moisturizing.
Execution technique
Regular dyeing is far more difficult than tinting. You will need to buy a mousse, spray, balm, or tint shampoo in order to complete the process.
Suggestions for implementing:
- First, wash your hair thoroughly, preferably with a sulfate-free shampoo.
- Blot your hair with a towel and dry it slightly. Remember, tinting components are applied to slightly damp hair, since water promotes their even distribution, and therefore, coloring.
- Prepare the tint composition. Some products should be mixed with an oxidizer in the proportions indicated in the instructions.
- Divide your head into two partings: vertical and horizontal. Pin the selected parts with hairpins.
- Start applying the composition to the temporal region with a brush. Move to the back of the head. Wrap the hair in a plastic bag.
- Keep the tonic on for as long as indicated by the manufacturer. As a rule, this time does not exceed 30 minutes.
- Rinse your hair with a regular lightly with warm water. You need to rinse the product off until the water becomes clear.
Professional guidance. You should wait at least three days to wash your hair after coloring it. This will improve the coloring pigment’s ability to stick to the curls’ surface.
You will need to put in a little more work to complete the dyeing process.
Suggestions for taking action:
- If you are dyeing your hair for the first time with the selected dye, test the composition for provoking an allergic reaction.
- Mix the dye with the oxidizer.
- Divide the curls into 4 parts, as with toning.
- Start coloring from the back of the head. Stepping back a few centimeters from the roots, brush along the entire length of the selected strands. After 10-15 minutes, you need to finish coloring the remaining roots.
- Keep the dye for 30-45 minutes, depending on the desired result.
- Rinse your head with shampoo and use a balm air conditioner, which, as a rule, is included with packaging paint.
It’s crucial to remember that, in contrast to tinting, hair coloring must always be done on dry hair.
Contraindications and proper care
Pre-lightened strands are not toned in the following situations:
- recently made curls (from the time of the chemical procedure should pass for at least 2 months);
- when 2 days have not passed from the moment of clamps clamps;
- bad hair (No matter how sparing the tonic, before painting, make several restorative masks);
- presence of a tendency to allergies (although toning products are practically not hypoallergenic, it is still better to test on the wrist or elbow before the procedure);
- pregnancy, breastfeeding or when taking antibacterial drugs (hormonal imbalances can lead to very disastrous results).
You must take good care of your hair because it was exposed to an oxidizer prior to toning. Following hair treatment, this entails:
- application of nourishing and moisturizing masks;
- use of a wooden comb for combing, which causes minimal trauma and relieves static tension;
- not combing hair immediately after washing (otherwise you risk getting split ends or bald spots);
- protection from UV rays and chlorinated water;
- timely trimming of split ends;
- treatment of hair with oils and sprays (pay special attention to the ends);
- minimal use of a hair dryer, iron and curling irons.
Toning is therefore used to shade your curls by two to three tones or to remove any yellow that may have appeared during lightning.
You can drastically alter your image with the aid of traditional coloring. Ammonia dyes give each hair a rich color and a lasting effect because they penetrate deeply. In addition, they seriously harm your curls—something that cannot be said of tinting mousses, shampoos, balms, or sprays.
Use natural dyes for simple and safe hair coloring (toning):
- onion peel;
- coffee and tea;
- oak bark;
- sage;
- a combination of henna and basma in various proportions.
Depending on your goals, toning and coloring your hair each have special advantages. Toning can be an excellent way to bring out your natural shade or balance out undesirable tones if you’re looking for a softer, less commitment.
However, hair coloring offers a wide range of options, from vivid colors to completely changing your hair tone, if you’re looking for a more dramatic transformation or a long-lasting result.
The decision between the two ultimately boils down to your personal preference, your comfort level with maintenance, and the condition of your hair. You can get the desired look by using either coloring or toning techniques.
