Can I tone with 10 developer?
James Craig
Published Jan 14, 2026
If you are using toner that mixes with a 10 or less volume developer, it's going to do little to no damage to your hair. That's because the higher the volume of developer, the more damage.
Is 10 volume developer enough?
If you have 25% grey hair or less than 10 Vol will be OK. But once again, the fact that 10 Vol developer does not penetrate deeply into the hair cuticle will penalise your end result. For more than 25% grey hair, we recommend 20 Vol rather than 10 Vol.
What happens if you just put 10 developer in your hair?
What does volume 10 developer do to your hair? 10 volume can be used with permanent color hair dyes for depositing color, but it will not offer much grey coverage or lift.
What level developer should I use for toner?
The toner together with a developer creates a mix which opens up the hair cuticle, penetrates into the hair cortex, takes out excessive yellow and orange and then re-colors the hair. We recommend you use such toners with either 10 or 20 Vol developer, depending on how well your client's hair has been lifted.
How can I fix my brassy blonde hair?
HEAD TO THE SALON AND GET A TONER FOR BRASSY HAIR
Also known as demi-permanent color, glaze or gloss, toning can correct the unwanted yellow, orange or even red tones lingering on your hair since it contains just enough pigment to improve your haircolor.
34 related questions foundDoes 10V developer lighten hair?
10 volume is also the default developer for many toners and glazes, however, keep in mind that this higher volume developer means a possible shift to the natural base color. When 10 volume is used with bleach it can give 1-4 levels of lift depending on the bleach, the method of application, and the hair.
When should I use 10 volume developer with bleach?
Volume 10 developer opens the hair cuticle, allowing the color to penetrate and deposit into the cortex. For mixing with bleach, a Volume 10 developer is used when your current hair shade is close to your desired hair color. It provides a gentle lightening of 1-2 levels depending on your hair texture and history.
How long can you leave 10 volume bleach in your hair?
For the 10 vol, you can keep bleach for a maximum of 45 minutes since the concentration is gentler on your hair. This will allow for adequate bleaching to happen and your hair will still be safe from any damage. The 10 volume developer is ideal for beginners in hair bleaching and dyeing.
Will 10 volume developer cover GREY hair?
When using a translucent shade, pre-treating can help. Apply 10-volume developer just on the gray regrowth for 10 minutes, and wipe off. Then, apply your color formulation,” says Usher.
Should I use 10 or 20 Developer bleach?
Use 20 Volume Developer
Less than that and you may be able to get away with 10 volume developer, and your grey hair will look like highlights. You can use 20 volume developer with bleach to lighten hair that is naturally blonde in a gentler fashion.
What can I mix with developer to lighten my hair?
If you're scared of using bleaching agents, or don't have bleach powder but want to lighten your hair, there is a really easy way. It involves mixing together 4 parts baking soda in 3 parts developer, 1 part shampoo, and 1 part conditioner.
Do you put toner on wet or dry hair?
Toner should be applied to hair that is roughly 70% dry (or damp hair). Some people think they should tone their hair wet to aid in product distribution and ensure a good final result.
How soon after bleaching hair can you bleach again?
Can I bleach it again? Repeated bleaching is not recommended since you're putting yourself at risk of overprocessing and breakage. If you do bleach again, make sure to wait 3 weeks to give your hair cuticle enough time to heal, close and lay flat again.
How many times do you bleach your hair to get it blonde?
Remember, it's probably going to take at least two or three sessions within a month to transform dark hair into pale blonde or white. Let your hair rest for two to three weeks between sessions. Bleaching is tough on your hair. Resist the urge to bleach again immediately if you don't like what you see!
What happens if you bleach Level 10 hair?
Level 10 + above this level of hair is a light platinum blonde, with very little blonde/yellow tones if any; Pastels will turn out best on a level 10 base or. Will it wash out. We recommend that when bleaching you take the hair to as near to level 10 as possible.
What's the difference between 10 volume and 20?
10 volume developer is meant to deposit pigment into the hair without lift. 20 volume developer is intended to lift the hair 1-2 levels.
How many levels can you lighten hair?
There are 10 bleach levels to lighten dark hair. It can even go to 12 levels, depending on your preference to go lighter. In most cases, these levels are determined by the natural hair pigment.
What strength developer do I need?
Choose developer strength according to how many levels you need to lift. Use 20 Vol developer for 1-2 levels, 30 Vol for 2-3 levels & 40 Vol for 3 levels. If you are going more than 3 levels lighter, you will need to use bleach first. Stick to the recommended color and developer mix rules.
Why is my hair still brassy after toning?
If the toner failed to work effectively on the orange hair, a blue toner must be applied again to neutralize the undesirable tone. If you feel that the orange tone is too dark or intense, you can bleach your hair again and then apply the blue toner to achieve a lighter blonde.
How do I go from orange to ash blonde?
The best way to go from orange to blonde is to re-bleach your hair after two weeks to bring it down to yellow tones that are easier to neutralize. Once you reach yellow tones, you can let your hair be if you are happy with the color. You can also use an ash blonde box dye to neutralize and lighten your hair color.
How do I get the orange out of my hair?
If your hair is orange, use a blue shampoo. If your hair is yellow, use a purple shampoo. You can also apply a toner to get the orange out of your hair.
Do I mix toner with developer?
Mix your toner with a developer in a 1:2 ratio. Use an applicator brush to work the mixture into your hair, focusing on the areas with unwanted undertones. Leave the toner in for up to 45 minutes, then rinse, wash with a moisturizing shampoo and deep condition.
Do you shampoo after bleaching before toning?
Applying Your Toner. Apply toner right after bleaching for the fastest results. Toner works best on hair that's already been bleached, because it will lighten or darken strands that are already around the shade you want. After bleaching, wash your hair with shampoo to remove the bleach.
Why does toner hurt so much?
Harsh toners can easily create an inflammatory reaction a.k.a reddened skin when applied to this sensitive area. A toner can cause burning due to a high concentration of acids, alcohol, or other irritating ingredients. Red skin is not a sign that your skincare is “doing its job”. Red skin is a major red flag!