When dyeing your hair, it's not uncommon for yellow, orange, or red tinges to appear on your hair over time. Usually, the appearance of this pattern is caused by environmental factors, such as sun exposure and pollution. Luckily, you can improve your hair's golden tone by washing it with a toning shampoo. The process is the same as washing your hair with your regular shampoo, but you need to be a little patient. If you want to tackle a more pronounced golden tint in your hair, you can even use the shampoo while your hair is still dry.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Choosing a Toning Shampoo
Step 1. Decide on the tone of color you want to fix or change to the hair
Toning shampoo can deal with the problem of golden hair that appears on various hair colors. When choosing a product, it's important that you know the tone that needs fixing on your hair. Examine your hair in a mirror, using both natural light and artificial light, to determine which shades need to be removed.
- For blondes and gray hair, it's usually the yellow or gold hue that starts to appear as the hair color starts to look more yellow.
- Shades of orange, copper brown, or red may appear when your hair starts to look yellowish, depending on how blonde your hair is.
- Dark hair with lighter sections (highlights) may begin to appear reddish or golden-orange.
- If you don't know the exact style of your hair, ask a professional hair stylist.
Step 2. Choose a shampoo product with the appropriate color
Once you know the shades you need to neutralize in your hair, it will be easier for you to choose a toning shampoo. This is because you can use the color wheel to determine which color pigment is needed to correct golden or yellow tones of hair. You will need to choose a shampoo with a pigment that is opposite to your hair color, according to the color wheel guidelines.
- If your hair has a golden or yellowish tinge that needs to be neutralized, look for an indigo or purple shampoo.
- If your hair has a copper-gold tint, choose a navy-blue or purplish-colored shampoo.
- If your hair has a copper or orange tone, choose a blue shampoo.
- If your hair is copper-red or red-orange, choose a blue-green shampoo.
- If your hair has a reddish tinge, look for a green shampoo.
Step 3. Check the color depth and consistency of the shampoo
It's a good idea to buy a toning shampoo directly (by visiting a store) so you can check the color and consistency of the product. Visit a beauty supply/product store for advice from salespeople who are familiar with or understand these types of products. For dark hair, you need a formula with high pigmentation and a thick consistency to get the best results. If possible, open the bottle cap to check the appearance of the shampoo before buying it.
Keep in mind that if you have very fine or thin hair, it's a good idea to choose a toning shampoo with a lighter color or less intense pigment. Shampoos with formulas that are rich in pigments can actually change the color of your hair drastically if used every day. For example, if you use a deep purple toning shampoo with a high color depth every day, your hair color may turn light purple. However, using a toning shampoo once a week will not drastically change the color of your hair
Part 2 of 3: Washing Using Toning Shampoo
Step 1. Wet hair
As before using your regular shampoo, wet your hair thoroughly in the shower or sink. It's a good idea to rinse your hair with warm water because it opens the cuticles so your hair can absorb the shampoo better.
Step 2. Use shampoo
Once your hair is wet, dispense the shampoo into your palms and smooth it over your hair, from roots to ends. Gently massage the hair into the hair to create a lather.
- If you have short hair, dispense about the size of a 50 dollar coin into the palm of your hand.
- For chin and shoulder length hair, dispense about the size of a coin into the palm of your hand.
- If you have shoulder length hair, dispense about the size of two 500 rupiah coins into the palm of your hand.
Step 3. Let the shampoo stick to the hair
After creating the lather from the shampoo, allow the shampoo to sit on your hair for a few minutes to allow the product pigment to penetrate your hair. Check the directions for use on the shampoo package or bottle, but usually you need to let it sit for 3-5 minutes.
If you have very fine or thin hair, don't leave the shampoo on for the full recommended length, as your hair color can change if you leave the shampoo on your hair for too long
Step 4. Rinse hair and continue treatment with conditioner
After letting the shampoo sit for the recommended length of time, rinse your hair with warm water to remove any remaining shampoo. After that, continue the treatment with conditioner and finish by rinsing with cold water to close the hair cuticles.
- Some companies that manufacture toning shampoos offer conditioners of the same color to help further the color alignment process. You can use one of these color-correcting conditioners after shampooing or use your regular conditioner.
- If your hair color changes drastically after you use a toning shampoo, the color will appear less or less after you wash your hair a few times. You can speed up the process by using a clarifying shampoo at your next shampooing.
Part 3 of 3: Using Toning Shampoo on Dry Hair
Step 1. Divide the hair
To make the shampoo easier to apply to your hair, it's a good idea to separate your hair into sections first. Use clips or bobby pins to hold the parts that are not being handled from getting in the way.
Step 2. Spread the shampoo on the hair
After dividing your hair, you can start using shampoo. Start with the areas that require the most color alignment and are the hardest to absorb the care product, then periodically work on the rest of the hair. Make sure you shampoo all over your hair to avoid the appearance of an unbalanced color after the treatment is complete.
- Use as much shampoo as you need when using it on wet hair. Use just enough to coat all hair strands. Keep in mind that shampoo will lather less on dry hair than on wet hair.
- Using a toning shampoo on dry hair can give even more dramatic results because there's no added water to dilute the pigment. Sometimes, this kind of use can actually dye or change hair color drastically. Therefore, do not try this method or treatment if you have very fine or thin hair.
Step 3. Leave the shampoo on for a few minutes
After spreading the shampoo all over your hair, let it sit so that the shampoo can fully penetrate your hair. Read the product instructions for use for the recommended duration. However, you can leave the shampoo on your hair for up to 10 minutes.
The thicker and coarser the hair, the longer the shampoo needs to be left on. However, it's best if you "play it safe" and start the process with a shorter duration to see how your hair reacts to the product
Step 4. Rinse hair and apply conditioner
After the shampoo has been left on your hair for a few minutes, rinse your hair thoroughly with warm water to remove any remaining shampoo. Continue the treatment with conditioner, and rinse again with cold water.
Tips
- When you want to try a toning shampoo, start by using it once a week to see how your hair reacts. You may need to use it more/infrequently, depending on your hair type and the intensity of the yellowish tint that needs to be neutralized.
- Using toning shampoo on hair is a more effective treatment/method. Therefore, you need to do it 1-2 times a month only.
