Call it a trick of the trade, or a hair color hero — but one of the industry's most-known and most-adored treatments is a hair toner a.k.a hair gloss, and this is why. Often the treatment behind a flawless finish: a toner (also known as a gloss) is one of the simplest and most powerful treatments you can get for healthier-looking, perfectly toned hair. Curious about what this is and if you to make it part of your hair care routine? We’re detailing everything you need to know.
What Is a Hair Toner or Gloss?
Simply put, a toner (or gloss) is a semi-permanent color treatment that adjusts and perfects the tone of your hair after coloring. It’s less about darkening or lightening your hair and more about making it cooler, warmer or effortlessly neutral. It’s usually applied at the shampoo bowl after highlights, balayage, or any lightening service, though it can also be a standalone treatment applied between appointments to extend the life of your shade.
Toners don’t lift or lighten hair color — instead, they deposit pigment to neutralize brassiness, correct undertones, enhance vibrancy, or simply add shine. Think of it as a topcoat for your hair, sealing in color while smoothing the cuticle for a reflective, glossy finish. Some gloss treatments are clear and designed solely to boost shine and condition without adding any color. Toners usually last four to six weeks, making them a quick, low-commitment way to maintain (or subtly enhance) your hair color.
What Does a Toner Do?
Toners/glosses are little miracle workers in a bottle. Here's what they can do:
- Perfect Your Color: Whether it’s cancelling out unwanted yellow in blonde hair or adding richness back into faded brunettes, a toner fine-tunes your color to its best version.
- Neutralize Brassiness: Over time, hair oxidizes and can take on unwanted warm or brassy tones. A toner acts like a color-corrector, restoring balance.
- Add Shine and Condition: Toners coat the hair shaft, smoothing the cuticle for a high-gloss, light-reflecting finish. They also help seal in moisture and reduce frizz, flyaways, and split ends.
- Refresh and Revive Hair: When hair looks dull or tired between coloring appointments, a gloss treatment can bring it back to life — without the commitment of a full dye job.
- Balance pH Levels: Many toners help restore the natural pH of your hair, leading to healthier, more manageable strands.
And if your hair is damaged or over-processed, a toner is a gentler alternative to scheduling another full color service.
Color vs. Clear Toners
Toners come in tinted and clear versions:
- Tinted Toners are tailored to enhance or correct specific shades. For example, a cool toner can turn brassy blonde into icy silver, while a warm toner can add golden richness to brunettes.
- Clear Glosses are perfect if you love your current color but want that extra boost of shine and softness for a glass-like finish.
Either option helps extend the life of your salon color and keeps your hair looking polished between appointments.
Why You Should Get a Gloss (At Least Once a Month)
If you're still on the fence, here are the top reasons to add a toner or gloss treatment to your hair care routine:
1. It Instantly Improves Tone
Small adjustments in tone can have a big impact. For instance, shifting from a warm dark brown to a cool chocolate can completely transform your overall look.
2. It’s Less Damaging Than Dye
Traditional dyes open the hair cuticle, but glosses simply coat the surface. This means less damage, less dryness, and softer, healthier hair.
3. It Adds Brilliant Shine
Just like a lip gloss boosts the vibrancy of your lips, a hair gloss leaves your strands luminous and silky. Pro tip: schedule a gloss every 4–6 weeks for optimal shine.
4. It Improves Manageability
A gloss seals the cuticle, making your hair less prone to frizz, humidity, and environmental damage. You'll notice smoother, softer, and more manageable locks immediately after.
The Best Toning Treatments to Try
Here are a few standout salon favorites:
Redken Shades EQ
A cult-classic among colorists, this iconic gloss enhances shine, conditions hair, and offers customized color results. Bonus: Redken's new Shades EQ Bonder Inside strengthens sensitized hair during the process.
Wella Professionals Shinefinity
Wella’s Shinefinity line offers a long-lasting color glaze with zero lift and zero damage. It delivers true-to-tone results and is ideal for all hair types.
KEVIN.MURPHY+COLOR.ME GLOSS
With 25% stronger hair in a single application and 37% thicker hair, there’s a lot to love about this gloss. Plus, with a built-in bond builder a variety of fashion-forward shades to pick from, this environmentally-conscious formula made of 100% vegan ingredients is a simple choice for radiant results.
Whether you’re looking to extend your highlights, neutralize brassiness, or just add a mirror-like shine to your hair, a toner (or gloss) might just be your best bet. It's one of the quickest and most effective ways to upgrade your color — with very little commitment or damage.
