Blonde Toning Guide: 3 Key Tips & 5 Formulas To Save

Blonde Toning Tips & Mistakes To Avoid Uneven Color Deposit

Blonde toning: Although this common service may feel second-nature, there’s never a bad time to pick up a few fresh formulation and application tips to elevate your skills. And who better to learn from than the legendary Redken Artist Collective?

You will learn:

• How to choose the right developer for your technique
• Tips for evening porosity and deposit 
• Fan-favorite Shades EQ formulas to save for later 

#1. Avoid A Spotty Root Melt With This Application Technique 

We all fear the dreaded toner drip when applying a dark root melt on a client with blonde ends, but Redken Ambassador Sean Godard (@seangodard) has the fix—and it’ll get your application done faster! Check out the step-by-step below:

1. Starting in the back quadrant, Sean will gather the hair and hold it with tension straight out from the back of the head. This is key to allow the bottle a clean entry to the section.
2. First, he applies the root melt using horizontal beads of color in quarter-inch subsections throughout the elevated section. 
3. Because we know the horizontal application will create lines, Sean erases them by subdividing the section vertically and uses a clean brush to blend the color into the roots.

Press play to see his technique in action—and hear the satisfying sound of the audience’s applause! You’ll want to save this smart tip for later:

#2. How to Choose Developer Vs. Processing Solution

Redken Global Brand Ambassador Adrienne Dara (@adriennedara) shares her favorite ways to use each type of Shades EQ developers: “Both are the same exact thing,” Adrienne explains, but there are certain techniques she’ll use each for:

• Redken Shades EQ Processing Solution for Precision Application (Gloss-to-Gel): “Gloss-to-gel is ideal for precision applications such as root formulas and lowlighting. It’s fabulous for someone who struggles with saturation,” Adrienne explains. “I really like using Gloss-to-Gel for mini root taps because it is very controlled in its application.”

• Redken Shades EQ Processing Solution: “Processing Solution is thinner. This is great for global glosses on Zones 2 and 3,” Adrienne concludes.

Press play to hear more toning application and formulation tips from Adrienne:

#3. Achieve Even Toner Deposit Through The Proper Prep

After our blondes undergo chemical processes that leave their porosity uneven, it’s important to prep the hair properly for an even toner deposit.

Here’s Redken Ambassador Sara Botsford (@sarabotsfordhair) favorite way to do so: “Here’s a hot tip for you: Spray Redken One United All-In-One Multi-Benefit Treatment on your section before you apply, comb it through and you’re ready to go. One of its 25 benefits is that it equalizes porosity!” Sara shares.

Blonde Formulas: Save These For The Backbar!

1. Building Golden Blondes: “I love utilizing a Shades EQ VV and a G (if not using the VV) because I love utilizing the gold and the violet to kind of customize my own neutral tone for the perfect creamy blonde,” Redken Ambassador Philip Foresto (@philipforesto) shares. 

Photo Credit: Instagram via @philipforesto

2. How To—Warm But Balanced Brondes: “As you know I love warmth, so I am totally crushing on Shades EQ 8VG + 8GG + 9AA,” says Sara.

Photo Credit: Instagram via @sarabotsfordhair

3. Toning Bright Beige Curls: “One of my favorite formulas with Shades EQ for blondes is 9GI, for sure,” Redken Ambassador Leysa Carrillo (@leysahairandmakeup) shares.

Photo Credit: Instagram via @leysahairandmakeup

4. Quick Hack for a Bright Hairline: “I love Redken Color Fusion Permanent Color as a hairline bump and smudge: 12N + 9AV + 10-volume—it’s seamless and beautiful,” says Redken Global Artist Lindsey Olson (@lindsey.marie.olson).

Photo Credit: Instagram via @lindsey.marie.olson

5. For the “Make Me Super Blonde” Client: “My all-time blonde favorite formula is Shades EQ 10GI, sometimes I use a bit of Clear in it,” says Redken Ambassador and Educator Max Gourgues (@maxgourgues).

Photo Credit: Instagram via @maxgourgues

Products Used

Demi-Permanent Color

Shades EQ

Redken

Glossing/ Toning

Shades EQ Processing Solution For Precision Application

Redken

Hair Color

Color Fusion

Redken

Haircare

One United All-In-One Multi-Benefit Treatment

Redken