Homemade Hair Toner | Top 3 Recipes

Homemade hair toner is simple to make and perfect for those unwanted undertones that often come with dyed hair. Check out these three all-natural recipes to tone your hair at home.

This post was originally published in November 2020.

Homemade hair toner is easy to make, and you probably have most of the ingredients needed to make it on hand already.

I love that I can use this recipe to personalize my specific hair color.

As for you hair dyers out there, toner is the perfect way to neutralize that undesirable undertone.

Many of us have been in the beauty chair at the salon when the foils come off, and we shrink into the seat as the results peer back at us through the mirror. It may look way too bright, orange, brassy, or even dull.

Thankfully, more often than not, a little hair toner can solve that problem.

I have seen hair toners do some amazing things, and since making the switch to all-natural products, I do most of my hair care by myself at home. So this DIY toner for hair can really come in handy!

WHAT IS HAIR TONER?

Anyone that regularly colors or highlights their hair is most likely familiar with hair toner.

Now, toner won’t completely change the color of your locks. It will however change the undertone of your hair by removing certain color pigments to blend color tones.

Hair toner is most often used on blonde hair to remove brassy or yellow tints that result from dyed hair. It works best and will show the most noticeable difference in lighter hair.

However, hair toner will only work on colored or treated hair. If you have never had your hair colored, then hair toner will not change the color tone of your hair.

why you’ll love this hair toner

1. Simple to use and safe for all hair types.

2. Super long-lasting – up to two months of worry-free hair.

3. Three different recipes to choose from.

4. Naturally free of any harmful chemicals or synthetic ingredients.

How to make hair toner

With three different methods, you’re certainly going to find a hair toner to match your hair type!

A few key ingredients in this DIY hair toner include baking soda, vinegar, and lemon juice. Each of these ingredients must be used in moderation to avoid damage to the hair.

Most experts recommend reapplying toner every 6-8 weeks as needed.

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Baking soda hair toner

For this first recipe, you will need a sulfate-free shampoo, baking soda, and food coloring.

Because baking soda has a high pH level, this method should only be used occasionally as it can dry out the hair and cause breakage.

Using the same dye I use in bath bombs; this hair toner is extremely effective in regulating brassy hair tone.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

• Sulfate-free shampoo. (If you use a shampoo with sulfate, this recipe will not work, so be sure to check your labels.)
• 2 drops of purple food coloring
• 2 drops of blue food coloring
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Squeeze a dash of shampoo into a small mixing bowl. Use approximately the amount you need to wash your hair normally.
2. Add in 2 drops of purple and blue food coloring. Stir to mix into the shampoo.
3. Sprinkle the baking soda into the toner and stir well.
4. Apply the toner shampoo to damp hair just as you would apply shampoo. Allow the mixture to sit for approximately ten minutes before rinsing out.
5. Follow up with conditioner and an extra rinse. Do your best to avoid getting the toner on the face, or it may stain.

Apple cider vinegar hair toner

Apple cider vinegar is an incredible product alone for the hair; using it as a hair rinse and even as a hair detangler.

For this recipe, we use it to help with yellow hair tones as well as to lighten the hair. ACV is slightly more alkaline than pure vinegar but is still considered acidic.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Water
• Spray bottle

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Fill a spray bottle with equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water.
2. Secure the lid and shake well to combine.
3. Generously spray the mixture on damp hair. Be sure you don’t miss any spots.
4. Allow the mixture to sit on the hair for about 15 minutes, and then rinse with water.

DIY hair toner with lemon

Lemon juice is an excellent hair toner for light hair.

This hair toner can also help to remove that unwanted purple/gray/silver tone that may occur when dying hair.

While the lemon juice will do the heavy work, we’ll mix it with conditioner to keep it moisturized during the process.

If you don’t have fresh lemons, you can use lemon juice. Each lemon makes about 3-5 tablespoons of lemon juice.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

• 3 lemons
• 1/4 cup of natural conditioner
• A small bowl
• Comb

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Combine the juice of lemons with the conditioner.
2. Work the conditioner and lemon mixture into damp hair, covering every area evenly.
3. Run the comb through your hair to ensure every strand is coated.
4. Allow the mixture to sit on the hair anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour. The longer it sits, the lighter it will be.
5. Wash hair as usual.

Hair toner tips

• Always apply toner to wet hair for the best results. If this is a reapply, wash with shampoo, then pat dry before applying toner.
• Wash toner out within one hour of application to avoid damage to the hair strands
• This toner should last for two months but is greatly affected by how often you wash your hair.

IN SUMMARY

• Hair toner can be made at home to help change the undertone of your hair; it works best on lighter hair.
• Hair toner should be applied to damp hair for best results.
• Allow the hair toner to sit for the directed amount of time before rinsing out.
• DIY hair toner should NOT be used daily, as it can damage hair if overused.

What to read next

• Homemade dry shampoo (or spray)
• Aloe vera hair mask – for hair growth
• How to make a curl-enhancing cream
• Protein hair treatment – to strengthen hair