How to tone darker hair (level 6-5 brown)

Jul 23, 2014

Natalie T.

Hey ladies. I have used toners frequently... on ultra light hair. I am now wondering if there are toners or some sort of method for toning dark hair?

I had white/silver/violet hair and recently had my hair dyed a light-medium ash/pearl brown just over a month ago. Some red and gold tones are starting to show through and I can't seem to find a shampoo/conditioner to maintain my ashy-pearly shade it was originally dyed. I tried Aveda Black Melva Shampoo/Conditioner but it is too dark for the level 6-5 brown I dyed my hair and just leaves black splotches on my hair.

Is there any way I could use a toner or something to take out the gold and red tones that show up in my hair? If not, do you have any recommendations for maintaining DARK ashy/cool tones in hair? Would my purple shampoos from my blonde/silver/violet days work or would they not make a difference?

Please help! I really LOVE the pearly ash shade of brown my hair was dyed to, I just hope there is an easy way of maintaining it.

Thanks in advance =)

Jul 23, 2014

Allie P.

So I'm a tad confused.

You colored your hair and there are some gold and reds showing through? 

Right?

Jul 23, 2014

Natalie T.

Yes, that is correct.
At first, the color was nice and ashy and showed NO gold or red tones, but after about a month of washing, the gold and red tones are starting to show through.
I'm wondering if I have to keep dying over it with the ash brown hair dye, or if there is a less damaging, easier way to maintain the ash tones.  

Jul 23, 2014

Allie P.

You can only tone lightened hair. What kind of color did you use?

Jul 23, 2014

Natalie T.

My hair stylist used Paul Mitchell Pearl Naturals line in the darkest shade ( 5PN Light Smokey Natural Brown) and it seems to have more of a blue undertone than ashy green undertone, but is definitely in the cool toned (amokey, ashy) brown family.

So will I need to just keep dying my hair over and over or is there any kind of maintenance products you know of for cool undertoned brunettes? Everything I find for maintaining brown hair is geared towards warm tones (exactly what I am trying to avoid). The only thing I found for cool toned brunettes is the Aveda Black Malva products and they are just way too dark for the level of brown I have. And the only products I'm aware of for fighting gold tones are for blondes, which is too light =/

Thanks for helping, Allie =)

Jul 23, 2014

Allie P.

If that happens in the salon I work at, I would just do a Demi-Translucent mix with Lanza color and apply it in the bowl like I would a toner. It usually straightens any weird color happenings that arise.

However, I really don't want to advise anything without seeing it first, yanno?

Jul 23, 2014

Natalie T.

Thanks Allie!

Jul 23, 2014

Ursa M.

Red and gold highlights sound really cool!

Jul 23, 2014

Natalie T.

Thanks Ursa, but that's exactly what I don't want =( I suit cool tones much better, the red and gold highlights are really unflattering on me =(

Jul 23, 2014

Emily D.

I work for an aveda concept salon...
the reason the black malva deposited such dark hues on you is because its an enriching line, meant to do exactly that. if youre trying to remove the brass in your hair (like your red/gold tones) you need the blue malva line. it will work like a charm, but don't use it everyday because it will dull your color, try 2x/wk to start. love it, has a cherry almond smell.

Jul 23, 2014

Natalie T.

Thank you Emily! At first, I was hoping for a color depositing line, since my hair is quite porous from my previous silver blonde hair and is super prone to fading... now I realized the black malva is just too much for the level my hair dresser and I went with =( Just double checking, but the blue malva will remove/counter act the golden and red tones but is okay to use in brown hair? I have used many toning shampoos/conditioners when I had silvery blonde hair, but I wasn't sure if these products would have adverse effects on darker brunette hair so I kinda wrote off the Blue Malva products for that reason. Could I use my toning shampoos from my blonde days or is the Blue Malva line formulated in a different way? I LOVE the way the Aveda products make my hair feel and I love the smell... but they are quite pricey, so I'm hoping I can hold off purchasing them for a couple weeks, especially since I purchased full size bottles of the black malva products not too long ago =/  

Jul 24, 2014

Emily D.

No adverse effects! so long as your hair is originally cool toned you will be just fine. you could use your toning shampoos, youll have better results with a blue-based pigment instead of the traditional purple though, I know sallys has one if youre on a budget. I like the blue malva because its pigmented enough to work on darker shades, but don't feel tied to just one brand! sorry it took a day to check back! :) good luck

Jul 25, 2014

Natalie T.

Thanks a million, Emily! That helps a lot =)