Toning 101: Keep Your Hair Colour Crisp, Cool, and Clean
If you've ever stepped out of the salon with the perfect ash blonde, platinum, or cool brunette colour only to watch it turn yellow, golden, or even coppery within weeks you’re not alone.
Brassy tones are one of the most common frustrations for those with colour-treated hair, and unfortunately, they often show up sooner than expected.
Whether your hair is platinum blonde, ash brown, grey, or espresso brunette, keeping that tone crisp and clean is a challenge.
Exposure to hard water, UV rays, pollution, heat styling, and frequent washing can all cause your hair colour to oxidise and fade.
The result?
● Platinum or icy blonde starts to look yellow or golden
● Ash blonde picks up brassy, warm undertones
● Cool brunette hair turns reddish or coppery
So, what’s causing the shift in tone and how do you fix it without constantly going back to your stylist?
The Science of Brass and Why Toning Is Non-Negotiable
When your stylist colours your hair, they deposit precise pigments into the hair’s cortex. But once you leave the salon, two things start to happen:
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Environmental stressors begin stripping away those outer layers of pigment (imagine tiny chips coming off a painted wall).
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Underlying warmth yellow in blondes, red/orange in brunettes starts to peek through.
That’s where toning products come in.
Toning works on two levels:
● Corrective Pigments: By layering counter-colours (violet against yellow, blue against orange/red, black against yellow/orange), these products neutralise unwanted tones using basic colour theory. Purple cancels yellow. Blue cancels orange. And so on.
● Hair Health Technologies: It’s not just about pigment. The best toning products are also packed with hydrating, strengthening ingredients—so your hair looks vibrant and feels healthy.
The Solution: The milk_shake® Professional Toning Range
milk_shake® has developed three targeted ranges to neutralise unwanted tones and preserve the clarity and richness of salon-fresh colour between visits.
Each range includes a shampoo, conditioner, leave-in treatment, and now, toning spray designed to work in harmony for visible, lasting results.
These formulas are crafted to:
● Deposit corrective pigments precisely where needed
● Gently cleanse and condition without stripping colour
● Reinforce hair strength, shine, and manageability with nourishing actives
Let’s break down your perfect match:
Silver Shine Range
Infused with violet pigments and nourishing milk proteins, this range instantly neutralises yellow tones—keeping ash blonde, silver, and grey hair soft, shiny, and brass-free.
Includes: Shampoo, Conditioner, Whipped Cream, and Toning Spray
Icy Blond Range
Formulated with subtle black pigments, rice oil, and milk proteins to cancel both yellow and orange undertones—delivering a lightweight, icy platinum finish.
Includes: Shampoo, Conditioner, and Toning Spray
Cold Brunette Range
Powered by blue micro-pigments, grape seed oil, and moringa oil to neutralise red and copper hues while enhancing shine and the depth of espresso, ash brown, or dark blonde tones.
Includes: Shampoo, Conditioner, Whipped Cream, and Toning Spray
A Real-Life Routine That Fits Your Life
No need to overhaul your schedule. Just weave toning into your existing routine:
● 2–3× per week: Swap in your toning shampoo and conditioner
● Leave-in treatment: Mist the toning spray over dry hair before heading out 30 seconds and you’re set
Ready to Rock Your Perfect Shade Longer?
Brassiness may be inevitable but it doesn’t have to stick around.
With milk_shake®’s Silver Shine, Icy Blond, and Cold Brunette ranges, powered by corrective pigments, milk proteins, and plant oils, you can stay in control of your colour between salon visits and beyond.
Check out our other colour maintenance range here
