Orange hair after bleaching is a common struggle.
But the right blue toner can help you get rid of the orange and achieve that perfect but elusive cool, ashy blonde color.
How do Blue Toners Work to Kill Orange?
Blue toners work by neutralizing orange tones, thanks to color theory: blue sits opposite orange on the color wheel, so it cancels out the orange.
But in order to tone away orange and get the right result that you want, you still need to choose the right blue toner.
Tone Orange and Then Do What?
What exactly are you looking to do?
Are you looking to neutralize very bright orange hair which is sitting on a level 8 base to make it a consistent level 8-9 medium blonde?
Or are you looking to cover over the orange which is sitting on a darker base, 6-7 and make it more like a dark blonde?
Or are you looking for a customisable solution which will work with any color? Which you can add to any color that you are using?
Depending on what exactly you are looking to do, the toner that you should use will be very different.
In this blog, we’ll explore three options from Ugly Duckling Color, explain how each works, and help you choose the best one for your hair situation.
1. Blondify Blue Ash Blonde 9B With Bond Protect
What it is
Blondify Blue Ash Blonde is an ultra-pigmented blue-based toner designed specifically for strong orange tones.
It’s ammonia-free, contains Bond Protect™ and Argan Oil for added hair care.
Although this toner is ammonia-free, the blue pigment component is particularly strong - as you can see on the color swatch.
This concentration of blue makes it very effective at orange neutralization.
But don't worry: it won't turn your orange hair blue. It will produce a level 8-9 medium blonde result when you apply it on orange hair.
This toner is built on a level 9 base.
How it’s different
Ultra-Pigmented: It’s strong enough to tackle vivid orange and yellow-orange tones.
It contains Bond Protect. So It helps maintain hair strength during the toning process.
Fast Acting: It works in just 10 minutes with 20 Vol developer.
Gentle Formula: It’s ammonia-free, and contains no PPDand no parabens.
When to use it
If your hair is orange or yellow-orange after bleaching and you don't want to or can't bleach it any more.
When you want fast, effective toning (works in just 10 minutes).
If you want to protect your hair’s condition by using a gentle toner (no ammonia).
- When you want to stay level 8-9 blonde. In other words, when you want medium blonde hair.
How to use it
- Mix 1:1 with 20 Vol developer in an applicator bottle. Pour over hair - it's a liquid gel based color.
- Apply thoroughly, leave for 10 minutes, then rinse.
2. Blue Ash Blonde 7.1B Permanent Color
What it is:
Blue Ash Blonde 7.1B is a permanent blue-ash blonde color that delivers a cool, ashy finish.
It's a regular permanent color, not a toner. Meaning it will give longer-lasting results and a vivid 3-D color.
It's built on a level 7 base. Meaning that it will color orange and take hair to a rich dark blonde level 7 color.
How it’s different:
Really vibrant results with rich 3D color.
It has a blue ash base: It's ash, but ash plus blue. So it has been specifically formulated to fight orange and copper tones.
- It's built around a level 7 base. So the end result will be more suitable if you are
When to use it:
If your hair is a dark or bright orange (level 7 or 8) and you want a cool, medium to dark ash blonde color.
When you want more permanent results than a standard toner.
When you want to to tone your hair and stay at level 7 rather than go any lighter.
How to use it:
- Mix with developer (usually 20 Vol for toning in a coloring bowl, apply evenly with a tint brush, process as directed for permanent color.
- Apply a second time and rub in with fingers using gloves.
3. Ash Blue Additive
What it is
This product is an additive, the result of Ugly Duckling’s proprietary technology.
It is a concentrated blue that can be added to any color or toner to boost its blue-neutralizing power.
Think of it as a “customizer” for your hair color formula.
How it’s different
- It's highly concentrated: We recommend that you squeeze out an inch of this and combine it with a full tube of a regular color or toner.
- It's customizable: It allows you to adjust the toning strength to your hair’s needs.
- It can be added to any toner or color for extra anti-orange action.
- Very often colorists use this in conjunction with a base color (N) and ash color (A) or an Ugly Duckling blue ash color (.1b).
When to use it
If you have stubborn orange tones that regular toner can’t handle.
When you want to fine-tune your toning formula for more precise results.
se this in conjunction with a base color (N) and ash color (A) or an Ugly Duckling blue ash color (.1b).
How to use it
- Add about an inch to one tube of your chosen toner or color mix before applying. Start with a small amount; you can always add more if needed.
- Use this in conjunction with a base color (N) or ash color (A) or indeed an Ugly Duckling blue based ash color (.1b).
Which Blue Toner Should You Choose?
For strong, quick toning of light orange/yellow-orange hair and for frequent toning: use Blue Ash Blonde 9B Blondify Toner
For longer-lasting, dramatic results on darker orange hair: use Blue Ash Blonde 7.1B Permanent Color
For dealing with really stubborn or vibrant orange: Use Ash Blue Additive and mix it with any level 6, 7 or level 8 color.
