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Writer's pictureKristin Baiocco

Hair Gloss vs Toner: What Is the Difference?

Sometimes all the technical words we use at Studio One Salon can seem pretty confusing, especially for a hair salon newbie. If it’s your first time coloring your hair, hair toner might be a completely novel concept. What’s the difference between hair gloss vs toner? Why do you need it when you get your hair colored? And why might it cost extra?



gloss vs toner


Hair Gloss vs Toner

Hair gloss and hair toner can refer to the same thing. Sometimes, it’s even called a hair glaze treatment. Hair gloss is a semi-permanent hair treatment that adds shine, strengthens, and softens your hair. Gloss can be clear or colored. Toner refers to a gloss when it is colored. Toner is a demi-permanent hair color that we apply to correct the warmth of your hair or tweak the color and make it darker. The color will not wash out after washing your hair, but it won’t last as long as a permanent color service. Toner applied in the salon typically lasts 4-8 weeks, but it can vary so ask your stylist! Additionally, toner still has the benefits of a clear gloss to help add smoothness and shine.


Benefits of a Gloss

  • No more frizz

  • Super shiny hair

  • Low-commitment color

  • Soft, healthy hair


Whether you choose a clear or colored gloss, there are so many benefits that accompany both. Gloss seals the hair cuticle which helps battle frizz and leaves the hair looking glossy, shiny, and smooth. This also helps seal the color from your color service which means your hair color will look better longer.


Finally, a colored gloss can add a demi-permanent color. This is the perfect option for blondes who want to be a little warmer in the summer or brighter in the winter. It’s also great for brunettes who don’t want to bleach their hair but want a small change. That could be trying a warmer brown or adding a red tint to the hair. The options are endless.


How Does a Toner Work?


When hairstylists lighten hair, we use bleach to reach your desired color on a scale of 1-10. 1 is the darkest and 10 is the lightest blonde. Dye is then to change the color permanently, darker or lighter. The tone determines how warm, cool, or neutral the hair is. When you lighten hair, you typically have to tone it in order to remove the brassiness or warm, orangey tones of the hair. However, toner can has a variety of benefits.


Toner is usually used when you’re at the shampoo station. Normally it’s applied to all of the hair and takes about 5-20 minutes to process. The color of toner chosen by your stylist is usually the opposite of the color you’re trying to get rid of on the color wheel. For example, if your hair is brassy with a lot of orange, blue is opposite to orange on the color wheel, so your stylist will likely use a blue toner to counteract the orange in your hair. Purple will neutralize yellow which is why you typically see purple shampoo available for at-home use. The color is deposited on top of your natural color instead of changing the actual color of the hair strand. This makes it the perfect treatment for first-time color clients and for clients trying to extend the life of their current color while keeping their hair as healthy as possible.


Can You Apply Toners at Home?

You should always see a professional stylist when using toners. However, if you’re trying to eliminate yellow tones, you can use a purple toning shampoo at home. This is different from a toner but also helps eliminate the brassy tones in color treated hair. You can use a purple shampoo once or twice a week to keep your color feeling fresh and cool-toned. I love O&M’s Conquer Blonde Shampoo to brighten blonde and naturally silver hair. For a more intense option, I recommend pairing your shampoo with a weekly treatment using O&M’s Conquer Blonde Silver Masque. For a purple shampoo that repairs, hydrates, and brightens, Olaplex No. 4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo is as tried and true as it gets.


The Glossy Truth

I think we’ve answered the question on the difference between hair gloss vs toner, so now you get to decide whether it’s right for you. If you’re looking for shiny, glossy hair, want to change the tone of your hair, or are looking for a low-damage color shift, hair gloss treatments are exactly the treatment for you. At Studio One Salon, we love a good Toner/Gloss treatment which you can find listed under our Color Depositing Services. Visit us in Hockessin, DE, and we’ll have your hair looking glossy and gorgeous in no time!



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