Can you use toner on hair that isn't solid-bleached?

Jan 27, 2016

Kayla E.

Hi ladies! I apologize in advance, I've asked things like this about toners on here sooo many times now.
So I get heavy highlights about once every four months. I've started using olaplex, so I'm not as concerned about damage as I used to be. I've tried over and over with different toners to make my hair pale ash blonde without completely bleaching the heavens out of it.
Is there any method to using toner without having to annihilate your hair beforehand? I'm just nervous about the harsh roots that come with bleaching entirely, which is what's stopping me. Any time I try to tone my foil highlights, my surrounding natural, dirty blonde hair gets orangey. My mom is a licensed hair dresser and she swears there's no way unless I bleach the whole thing, which is why I'm reaching out to you guys.
Thanks so much in advance for all your help. :)

Jan 27, 2016

Shanae J.

So, you're saying you want your hair to be pale ash blonde without having to bleach the rest of it and wondering if toner will help you achieve that? If so, then no, you'll actually have to lighten your dirty blonde as much as you can and then tone it like you've basically done with your highlights.

Jan 27, 2016

Kayla E.

Thanks Shanae, I'm glad now I know this for a fact.

Jan 28, 2016

Aurora S.

You have to bleach the rest. I see what you want. You want to have blonde hair but with highlights in it and not one color.
You'll need to bleach the dirty blonde a little then tone the darker parts OR bleach the darker hair and then use a hair color and add in lowlights. Since you've already got highlight it seems easier to bleach and then add lowlights or darker section that are still that similar cool tone.