The jury may still be out on the fun factor, but at the very least blondes definitely do have more options. Half the hair products gracing shelves are highly concerned with keeping them cool and creamy. But what about the brunettes?
While it’s just as common for brunette tones to turn brassy or dull, it’s not always as easy to find products that cater to them.
So if silver and purple shampoos are the toning hues for blondes, what are the magic colours for brunettes? In a nutshell, blue and brown are your biggest allies. It just depends what you’re trying to do.
If you’re looking to cool down your colour and your brunette is throwing too warm or red for your liking, blue toners will aid you in the fight against brassiness. If you’re just wanting a colour refresh that adds the shine and depth that we love about brunette right back into it, go for one that mimics your ideal shade of brown.
As for application, with any toner, the ‘rinse until the water runs clear’ rule is always a good one to adhere to.
Whatever shade (from caramel to cocoa) or formula (toning products span from shampoos to leave-in drops) you’re looking for, we’ve tracked down some stellar options designed to get your brunette back in its best shape. Here are the seven best brunette toners in Australia…
Goldwell Colour Revive Colour Giving Cool Brown Conditioner
A cool-toned brown conditioner that’ll deepen and refine your colour while also adding gloss, vitality and brightness, this toner gets an A+ for ease; just work through wet hair post-shampoo, leave on for 2-5 minutes and then rinse to reveal richly refreshed brunette.
$32.95 at Adore Beauty
Christophe Robin Shade Variation Ash Brown Mask Pocket
A blue/violet colour blend mask designed to refine undesirable red or mahogany tones, it also blesses hair with an almond butter-powered hydration hit. Massage into your mane after washing, then leave for five to 30 thirty minutes depending on your desired toning intensity.
$29.70 at Beauty Expert
Redken Colour Extend Brownlights Conditioner
An “anti-orange” conditioner that harnesses the colour-correcting benefits of blue tones, it’s basically the key to brass-free brunette. Use it once weekly in place of your normal conditioner—just don’t forget to wear gloves or rinse before the 10 minute mark; that blue is bright.
$33 at Adore Beauty
Evo Fabuloso Cool Brown Colour Boosting Treatment
Whichever shade of bottle brunette you’re embracing, this toning treatment is for you; hydrating hair, boosting shine and intensifying colour in one go. To apply, use gloves to spread over washed and towel-dried hair. Comb through, wait three minutes and then rinse.
$39.95 at Hairhouse
Matrix Total Results Brass Off Shampoo
Need to neutralise brassiness in your lightened brunette? Apply this blue-violet shampoo to wet hair, lather up and then rinse well after two to three minutes before following with a compatible conditioner. Again, with any pigmented formula, gloves are definitely your friend.
$23.95 at Adore Beauty
IGK Mixed Feelings Leave-In Brunette Toning Drops
These clever colour-correcting drops are actually able to be added into any shampoo, conditioner, or leave-in product, allowing you to keep your favourite formulas in rotation while also fine-tuning your tone. As for how many to add, the dosage chart included will steer you right.
$44 at Adore Beauty
John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Visibly Deeper Shampoo
Another shampoo that sets you up for success from the first in-shower step, this formula is all about dialling up the depth. A great buy for darker brunettes that don’t mind a little chestnut warmth, it’s devoted to restoring richness and shine, and calls for a simple lather and rinse.
$10.69 at Chemist Warehouse
Main image credit: @camilamorrone
