Hairstylist Glenn Ellis explains to Who What Wear that toner is a hair dye with some endurance but won't remain permanent forever. It adds shine to the hair while also helping people achieve a more specific color. Since finding your perfect look can take some trial and error, toner is often relied on, especially for those going lighter, since it counteracts those unwanted hues.

While toners are frequently used during your salon experience, they are also quite accessible for at-home use. One of the main purposes is to assist people in removing undertones or colors in their hair that they do not like. While blondes often reach for purple shampoo to cool down some of those brighter yellow tones, brunettes tend to need blue-toned shampoo or conditioner to remove brassy warm, and orange tones.

Since toner is a neutralizer, its purpose is to change undertones. While this can be done by reducing warmer tones, it can also mean warming up a hair color by balancing out some of those cooler tones. For example, if your cool-toned highlights aren't the vibe anymore, using a semi-permanent red, orange, or honey-toned gloss can warm up your hair and cover-up that ashy color. A hair mask is also a good option, and it's great to know what a hair mask can and cannot do for you.