This is how I use the Wella Color Charm Permanent Cream Toners at home to keep brassiness away. It's super simple and designed for real life. No overthinking, no overwhelm. Mix, tone, enjoy.
The essentials you need
Wella Color Charm Permanent Cream Toner
10 Vol Developer
Applicator Bowl (or bottle, but I prefer a bowl for this formula)
Tint Brush
Processing Cap
Gloves
Before you start
I'm not going to tell you to do a strand test, because realistically, most of us don't.
What I do want to note here is that your needs to be clean and as healthy as possible before you tone.
This is a gentler, cream based formula, but prep still plays a big role in how evenly your toner will take in your hair, and how your hair feels afterwards. A bit of extra care beforehand is always worth it.
Here's my own pre-toning routine:
2 days before - Overnight oil treatment
1 day before - Scalp scrub, shampoo, masque and then condition. Minimal styling products.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Prep your hair.
Start with clean, damp (towel dreid) hair.
Use a wet brush or wide tooth comb to ensure there's no tangles.
Step 2: Put on gloves.
Step 3: Mix the toner.
In the tint bowl, combine 1 part toner with 2 parts developer.
Mix well with the tint brush until it's a creamy consistency with no lumps.
For example: For a 57g tube of Wella Toner, use 114g of developer.
If you have scales, those will give you the most accurate measurement. However if you don't, you can simply use a spoon. 1 spoon of toner to 2 spoons of developer.
Step 4: Apply the toner.
Because I find the front pieces of absorb toner faster, I start applying to the back sections first. Work from the back to the front. Use a tint brush to work the toner in to the hair.
Step 5: Process
Pop on a processing cap to avoid any drips.
Let the toner process for between 10 and 20 minutes, checking every 5 minutes.
Step 6: Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water, then wash, masque and/or condition.
How I know when to rinse
This toner doesn't turn dark purple or blue when it's processing, making it easy to check the shade often. I do want to try and leave it on for the full 20 minutes, if possible, as it helps with longevity.
Having said that, some hair (particularly if it's damaged), can process really quickly. Because of this, I always want to see how the hair is processing. I do this by checking every 5 minutes by scraping off some of the toner and looking at the hair underneath. When it's looking like the shade I want, I know it's ready to wash out.
A quick final note
I always think that less is more when it comes to colouring. Meaning, if it doesn't need toning, I don't tone it. I avoid putting a toner all over my roots if they don't need it, for example.
For the stronger liquid toners I don't recommend applying to dark/natural roots as it can lighten them slightly. This is a much more gentle formula that's mixed with 10 Vol, so it shouldn't lighten in the same way. But, I do still avoid dark roots. Less is more!
Where to buy
If you're in Australia, you can purchase the Wella Color Charm Permanent Cream Toners directly through Tint Department.
If you're in the US / UK / International, I've included an Amazon link.
(This is an affiliate link, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase - at no extra cost to you.)
