Hair Color
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02.25.2025
The Perfect Blonde: 5 Toning Techniques to Get the Look
By: Jaclyn Harwood
Achieving the perfect blonde requires precision, expertise, and the right tools. For salon professionals, offering clients a flawless blonde is not just about lightening hair—it’s about maintaining vibrancy, minimizing brassiness, and ensuring the hair's overall health. With the help of Wella Professionals’ advanced toning formulas, stylists can customize each look, to deliver rich, multi-dimensional results that clients will love. Mastering the five key toning techniques will help you cater to every client’s unique needs, whether they’re seeking a cool platinum blonde or a rich, honey hue. Wella Professionals offers a range of products that will help you achieve the perfect shade for every salon guest.
1. PRE-TONING TECHNIQUE
Pre-toning is an essential step before applying a final toner or gloss treatment. This technique involves neutralizing unwanted warmth in the hair, after the lightening process, prior to the final color. Pre-toning helps create a blank canvas for more precise toning, for a custom salon experience and stunning color results. For example, reach for Wella Professionals Blondor Multi Blonde or BlondorPlex to pre-lighten the hair. After desired lightening is achieved, follow with a pre-toning service to ensure the lightened hair is neutralized, pH is balanced, and the hair is ready for a final gloss treatment. A few of our favorite pre-toning products to neutralize warmth are: Wella Professionals Color Fresh Mask Lilac Frost and Pearl Blonde. Or to enhance shine and richness, try Wella Professionals Color Fresh Mask Golden Gloss or Caramel Glaze.
CHAMPAGNE BLONDE
LIGHTEN
BlondorPlex
Welloxon Perfect Developer 6% (20 volume)
ROOTS
Illumina 5/ + 5/81 + 6/16
Welloxon Perfect Developer 6% (20 volume)
MIDS + ENDS
Illumina Color 10/93 + 10/38 + 8/36
Welloxon Pastel 1.9% (6 volume)
ARTIST: @juniorcsilva
VANILLA BLONDE
LIGHTEN
BlondorPlex
Welloxon Perfect Developer 6% (20 volume)
GLAZE
Color Touch 10/6 + 9/03
Color Touch Emulsion 1.9% (6 volume)
ARTIST: @thescissorsammurai
2. CONTROL BRASS WITH VIOLET + BLUE
When it comes to correcting yellow or orange tones in blonde hair, violet and blue toners are a stylist’s best friend. Violet counters yellow hues, while blue works to neutralize orange tones. By choosing the right shade of Wella Professionals Shinefinity or Color Touch, you can balance out brassiness and achieve a more neutral, clean blonde. #ProTip: Be careful not to "over-correct" or "over-tone" the hair and remove all warmth, final results may appear dull, lackluster and muddy. Add /03 or /3 shades to your formula for a bright, balanced finish. A few of our favorites are Color Touch 9/3, Color Touch 8/03 and Shinefinity 09/3. The perfect amount of warmth to add balance and shine.
BEACH BLONDE
LIGHTEN
Blondor Multi Blonde
Welloxon Perfect Creme Developer 6% (20 volume)
ROOT SHADOW
Color Touch 5/0 + 7/1
Color Touch Emulsion 1.9% (6 volume)
ENDS
Color Touch 10/6 + 10/03 + 10/81
Color Touch Emulsion 1.9% (6 volume)
ARTIST: @jess_acolabsalon
BEIGE BLONDE
LIGHTEN
Blondorplex
Welloxon Perfect Pastel 1.9% (6 volume)
ROOT SHADOW
Shinefinity 06/0 + 04/12
Shinefinity Activator for Bowl + Brush
ENDS
Shinefinity 09/81
Shinefinity Activator for Bottle
ARTIST: @hairbynicolereyns
3. FORMULATE FOR WARMTH + RICHNESS
Some clients may prefer a warmer blonde, such as a golden or honey hue, but how do you #GetTheLook without the hair appearing too brassy? By using Wella Professionals’ warm shades with a built in natural base or counteracting tone, you can infuse rich, golden hues into blonde hair while avoiding too much copper or red. This technique is perfect for salon guests who desire a natural, sun-kissed look without the brass. A few of our favorites are Color Touch 8/71, 6/71 and 9/97. Check out the formulas below and get inspired to formulate for your next salon session.
CAFE LATTE
LIGHTEN
BlondorPlex
Welloxon Perfect Developer 6% (20 volume)
TONE
Color Touch 8/71 + 6/71
Color Touch Emulsion 1.9% (6 volume)
ARTIST: @styledbychantelle
CARAMEL MACCHIATO
LIGHTEN
BlondorPlex
Welloxon Perfect Developer 6% (20 volume)
GLAZE
Color Touch 9/97 + 10/03
Color Touch Emulsion 1.9% (6 volume)
ROOT SMUDGE
Shinefinity 04/12 + 06/71
Shinefinity Activator
ARTIST: @briannawithegoodhair
4. FORMULATE FOR COOL + ICY
Achieving the perfect cool, icy, platinum blonde requires a precise toner that will eliminate any lingering warmth. Wella Professionals BlondorPlex Permanent Cream Toners are ideal for giving platinum blonde hair that crisp, cool finish and... you can #GetTheLook in just 5 minutes.
/16 Lightest Pearl: Ideal for light levels to add a delicate pearl finish, neutralize yellow tones and reduce unwanted warmth.
/81 Pale Silver: Ideal to neutralize orange or achieve icy cool tones on lighter levels.
/36 Crystal Vanilla: Suitable for all levels to add sophisticated creamy golden tones and shiny results.
/96 Sienna Beige: Ideal for all levels to add a delicate rose beige with a touch of violet to balance and complement, neutral to warm blondes.
/86 Booster: Intensify neutralization of brassiness and unwanted warmth.
Another cool formula favorite Wella Professionals Illumina Color + Welloxon Perfect Pastel 1.9% (6 volume), (1:2). With it's multi-dimensional finish and built-in violet base, every shade of Illumina Color delivers an extra "cool shot". A few of our favorites are Illumina 10/69, 9/60 and 10/1. These formulas are perfect for clients who are after an ultra-light, cool blonde that is both chic and sophisticated, with the perfect amount of balanced shine.
ICE QUEEN
LIGHTEN
BlondorPlex
Welloxon Perfect Developer 3% (10 volume)
TONE
Illumina Color 10/69 + 9/60 (2:1)
Welloxon Pastel 1.9% (6 volume)
ARTIST: @hairbycallum_
WINTER BLONDE
LIGHTEN
BlondorPlex
Welloxon Perfect Developer 6% (20 volume)
TREAT
WellaPlex No. 2 Bond Stabilizer
TONE
BlondorPlex Permanent Cream Toners /16
Welloxon Perfect Pastel 1.9% (6 volume)
ARTIST: @hairbylorenwaugh
5. TONE FOR ENHANCED VIBRANCY AND SHINE
Once the desired tone is achieved, applying a gloss can enhance the hair’s shine and add depth to the overall color. Wella Professionals' Color Fresh Mask is a great tool for adding luminosity and richness, giving blonde hair a glossy, healthy finish. This final step not only locks in the tone but also ensures the hair feels silky and looks radiant, with no dullness or dryness. Apply Color Fresh Mask in the salon, and watch the hair transform, plus retail it to your salon guest to maintain vibrancy and shine at-home, until their next salon visit.
Another favorite for enhanced vibrancy and shine, is Wella Professionals Shinefinity Crystal Glaze. The perfect product and salon service to deliver an unbelievable finish that will keep your salon guests coming back. Mix Shinefinity in a 1:1 mixing ratio with Shinefinity Activator for bottle or brush and bowl application. Apply to the hair and process for up to 20 minutes.
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Title Image Credit: Crystal Perez @crystalteach
