I caught sight of my hair in the mirror and, quite literally, all I saw was yellow. Relate to this? Before I say anything else, let me reassure you: this happens to every blonde, from DIY bleached to luxe salon highlights.
Over the years, I've tried just about every way there is to get rid it (it's literally my job). Some worked beautifully, some didn't last through the next wash. While there's a product for every situation, one thing I know for sure is this: if you're dealing with stubborn yellow brassiness that nothing else seems to fix, these are the toners I'd reach for every time. And yes, you can use them at home.
The toner I'd grab first: T18 Lightest Ash Blonde by Wella Color Charm
For a blonde that's looking a lemon yellow, I always reach for T18. This shade transforms hair to an almost white, very light, cool toned blonde (it's also my strongest, best selling toner).
The alternative I'd choose for a deeper or warmer yellow: T14 Pale Ash Blonde by Wella Color Charm
If my blonde was a deeper yellow with a hint of orange warmth, I'd reach for T14. This very cool shade targets both types of brassiness while leaving the hair a softer, ashier blonde instead of the near white result you get with T18.
How I'd use these toners for the best results
I keep it really simple.
- Apply to towel-dried hair
- Mix 1 part toner to 2 parts developer (I use 20 Vol for most cases)
- Apply to all yellow sections of the hair
- Watch closely and rinse when you've reached your ideal tone (up to 30 mins)
- Shampoo twice and follow with a masque*
*This helps get your hair closer to a normal pH, which I find so important for hair health and resisting colour fade.
Once you've done this, your blonde should be looking bright, brass-free, and refreshed - without a salon visit in sight. These are the exact toners I've trusted time and time again, and they've never let me down. You can find both Wella T18 and Wella T14 here and keep them on hand so the next time yellow creeps in, you'll be ready.