27/10/2026
Today I have been asked a weird question from a hairdresser so I thought I share the information I shared with them.
Understanding Fashion Colours and Toners
1. Fashion Colours and Reflects
In professional hair colouring, the number after the decimal point usually represents the reflect or tone of the colour.
For example:
- .3 – Gold: Adding a gold-based colour to a base colour creates a golden reflect.
- .1 or A series – Ash: Ash-based colours create a cooler reflect and help neutralise unwanted warm tones, depending on the colour brand and its numbering system.
Understanding colour reflects is essential for achieving the desired result and controlling unwanted tones.
2. Neutralising Orange and Red Tones After Bleaching
When bleaching hair, unwanted warm undertones such as orange, red-orange and yellow may become visible.
To neutralise these tones, we use complementary colours:
- Blue tones help neutralise orange.
- Green tones help neutralise red.
- Violet tones help neutralise yellow.
3. Be Careful When Using Toners!
Toners can work very quickly, especially on bleached, porous or damaged hair. Applying too much pigment or leaving a toner on for too long can produce an unwanted result.
For example, using an overly strong ash or blue-based toner on hair with the wrong underlying pigment can create dull, muddy or greenish tones.
Professional tip: Always monitor the hair closely during toning. Check the colour frequently and rinse when the desired result is achieved.
Remember: The key to beautiful hair colour is understanding the underlying pigment, choosing the correct toner and monitoring the hair throughout the process.
