Guide on how to tone brown hair to an ashy tone
In the next section, we will present different methods on how to tone brown hair to achieve that desired ashy tone.
Let’s find out the best methods on how to tone brown hair to ashy tone and achieve the desired gray tones. (Source: UK Beauty Room)
How to tone brown hair to ash using the color wheel
Before we dive into the process of toning your hair to ash brown, it’s important to understand the basics of color wheel theory. The color wheel consists of several colors, including a special group of complementary colors. These complementary colors are positioned directly across from each other on the color wheel.
These complementary colors are positioned directly opposite each other on the color wheel. (Source: Escape Authority)
Complementary colors can neutralize or cancel out each other’s effects. An example of this phenomenon can be seen with purple shampoos. Since purple is opposite yellow on the color wheel, purple shampoos are used to neutralize unwanted yellow tones in blonde hair, leaving it with a platinum tone. This is how toning blonde hair to ash brown works.
Similarly, if you’re trying to tone your brown hair to achieve an ashy tone, you’ll need to neutralize the red and orange undertones in your hair. In this case, blue serves as the complementary color to orange on the color wheel. So if your hair has golden or copper undertones, a toner with blue undertones can be helpful in neutralizing those warm tones.
On the other hand, if your brown hair has a reddish or coppery undertone, you may want to try green products, since green is the complementary color to red on the color wheel. Using a toner or shampoo with green undertones can neutralize the red tones, resulting in a more ashy look.
A hair toner
How to tone brown hair to an ashy tone? If you’re a natural brunette and want to achieve a more ashy look, a hair toner is a fantastic option.
Unlike hair dye, a hair toner doesn't actually change the color of your hair. Instead, it introduces pigments that help neutralize specific undertones.
Typically, toners are used after a hair coloring session to achieve the desired shade of blonde or brown.
You may be familiar with purple or blue toners for removing golden undertones from blonde hair. However, it’s important to note that hair toners come in a variety of shades. These include blue toners and green toners.
As mentioned earlier, you can neutralize red undertones in your brown hair with a green toner, while blue toners can help neutralize orange tones.
Using a toner is a simple process. You simply apply it to your hair and rinse it out after a few minutes. It’s quite similar to using a conditioner or hair mask.
In fact, many hair toners also work as conditioners and masks because they contain nourishing ingredients. This makes them a great choice if your brown hair is dry or damaged.
A Blue Shampoo
There are times when a hair toner is not the most convenient option. In such cases, if you want to maintain an ashy tone on a regular basis, it is worth considering a blue shampoo. How to tone brown hair to an ashy tone at home?
A blue shampoo is similar to a regular shampoo, but it contains a significant amount of blue pigments. These pigments play a crucial role in neutralizing the orange tones in your hair, resulting in a cool, ashy look.
The advantage of using a blue shampoo is that you don’t have to leave it in your hair for an extended period of time. However, remember not to use blue shampoos more than once a week, as excessive use can lead to blue pigments and even staining of your scalp. Additionally, using a blue shampoo regularly can turn your hair gray over time. It’s essential to be aware of this potential outcome.
Also, like other shampoos, blue shampoos are available in sulfate-free and sulfate-free variants. If you have dry or damaged hair, you should opt for sulfate-free options.
A Temporary Hair Dye
When using a blue hair toner to achieve an ashy tone on brown hair, the results can last for approximately 4 to 6 washes. Therefore, it is not a long-term solution for toning brown hair to an ashy tone. On the other hand, using blue shampoos does pose a risk of staining, which is something to be careful about.
In this case, the best alternative is to consider using a temporary hair dye. Here, you can find a hair dye that will replace the reddish undertones in your brown hair with grayish undertones, without the need for a harsh chemical dye.