Can toner be applied to dry hair? – HairstyleCamp
If you’re researching how to choose and apply toner to your hair, chances are you’re faced with a lot of overwhelming information. Many get confused whether you can apply toner on dry hair or wet hair. After all, there are many different toners on the market, and they all seem to have different instructions.
You may have noticed that many toners are applied to wet or damp hair. But does this mean that all toners can only be applied to wet hair? Is there a type of toner that can also be applied to dry hair? The answer is yes! In this article we will discuss the answers to these three important questions:
- What is a toner?
- What kind of toner can be applied to dry hair?
- How can you apply toner on dry hair?
Read on, so you can use the best methods, products and techniques Color your hair While it’s dry!
What is toner?

Toner deposits color without lifting any color from your hair. There are dye-imprinting shampoos and conditioners that you can use to temporarily coat your hair in the color of your choice.
You may have seen it in the form of a Purple shampoo Or maybe a color enhancing blending mask. These, of course, must be implemented Wet hair.
A more common, and more durable, toner is actually a semi-permanent hair color. A Semi-permanent hair color It is one that penetrates the outer cuticle, or the barrier of the hair, to deposit color.
It does not contain ammonia and therefore does not penetrate through the core of the hair and does not remove any pigment from the hair. It lasts for twenty to twenty-four washes. (It’s at least ten weeks if you wash your hair twice a week.)
Semi-permanent hair colors come in two forms: liquid and cream-based. A liquid semi-permanent toner will be packaged in a small bottle while a cream-based semi-permanent toner will be packaged in a tube. But, which one can be applied to dry hair?
What kind of toner can be applied to dry hair?

As we discussed, the two types of semi-permanent toners are liquid-based and cream-based. both Types of toners Can be applied to dry hair! maybe you saw Liquid toners are applied For wet hair, but they can also be applied to dry hair!
Here is a table that shows which types of toners/semi-permanent colors can be applied to dry and wet hair.
Apply when the hair… | Liquid based toner | Cream-based toner |
wet | Yes | No |
dry | Yes | Yes |
Note how a liquid-based toner or semi-permanent hair color can be applied to wet and dry hair, while a cream-based toner or semi-permanent hair color can only be applied to dry hair. So, both liquid and cream-based toners can be applied to dry hair!
The truth is that applying toner to dry hair can have a more dramatic result than applying it to wet hairSo if you want to make a drastic change in your hair color, I suggest applying a liquid-based or cream-based toner to your dry hair.
That leaves the question: How do I apply toner to my dry hair?
How do you apply toner on dry hair?
The methods for applying toner to dry hair can be slightly different depending on whether you are applying a liquid-based toner or a cream-based toner. There are several ways to do this, so please see the guide below for detailed instructions.
Materials you will need for all the following color processes:
- Gloves
- cap/apron
- towels
- plastic cup
- stopwatch
How to apply liquid-based toner on dry hair (method 1- no need to cut)
This method of applying a liquid based toner to dry hair is definitely a time saver as there is no cutting involved. You simply spray the bottle of toner/semi-permanent color onto your hair and rub it in, making sure all of your hair is well saturated with color.
In addition to the basic hair dye ingredients listed above, you need…
- liquid conductive bottle
- wide tooth comb

Step-by-step instructions for applying a liquid-based toner to dry hair without a cut
- Make sure your hair is completely clean and dry.
- Put on the cape/apron and gloves.
- Pour the paint into a conductive bottle, then pour in the key. The instructions for the color will specify in what ratio you should mix the color and the key. Shake the applicator bottle well to mix the dye with the developer.
- Flip your hair over the sink, shower or tub.
- Spray the color all over your hair, making sure to saturate your roots.
- Rub the toner from the roots to the ends, just like you shampooed. Make sure your hair is completely saturated with color. It can even foam.
- Comb the toner through your hair with a wide tooth comb or your fingers.
- Cover your hair with a plastic cap to prevent a mess, and to keep your hair from drying out.
- Set your timer for the recommended processing time, which is usually 20 to 30 minutes for liquid semi-permanent dyes.
- After your color has been processed for the recommended amount of time, shampoo your hair with a mild shampoo and be sure to let your conditioner soak into your hair for a few minutes. Use cool water to shampoo and condition your hair.
How to apply liquid-based toner to dry hair (method 2 – section by section)
This method of applying a liquid toner/semi-permanent color to dry hair is a little more time consuming than the first method, but if you want to be extra thorough, this is the method for you.
This method involves cutting the hair and applying the toner to each part with an applicator bottle, then spreading it along the length of the hair with a colored brush or with the fingers.
In addition to the basic hair dye ingredients listed above, you need…
- conductive bottle
- paint bowl
- Paintbrush
- Butterfly clip
- Rat tail comb

Step-by-step instructions for applying a liquid-based toner to dry hair Section after section
- Clean your hair and make it completely dry.
- Put on the cape/apron and gloves.
- Put the paint into a conductive bottle, then add the key. Check the color instructions to know in what ratio you should mix the color and the developer. Shake the applicator bottle well to mix the paint with the developer.
- Divide your hair into four sections, and secure each section in place with your butterfly clips.
- Spray the color around your hairline, then use your paint brush to brush the color in upward strokes away from the hairline. Then apply the color to the perimeter of each of the four sections of hair using the same method.
- Start at the back of your head at the nape of your neck. Use your rat tail comb to cut a small section of hair.
- Spray the color at the base of the section (at the roots), and use the color brush or your fingers to spread the color from the roots to the ends. You may need to spray more color on the section of hair to fully saturate it, especially if you have long hair.
- Work your way to the top of the head section by section, then move to the front sections of the hair.
- Once you’ve applied the color all over your head, cover your hair with a plastic cap.
- Set your timer for the recommended processing time, which is usually 20-30 minutes.
- After your color has been processed for the recommended amount of time, shampoo your hair with a mild shampoo and be sure to let your conditioner soak into your hair for a few minutes. to use cold water Shampoo and condition your hair.
How to apply a cream-based toner on dry hair
Cream-based toner/semi-permanent color has a different texture than liquid-based toners and therefore requires a different application method.
Instead of mixing and applying the toner with an applicator bottle, you’ll need to use a colored bowl and a brush. You will then use the color brush to apply the cream-based toner to each part of the hair.
In addition to the basic hair dye ingredients listed above, you need…
- paint bowl
- Paintbrush
- measuring cup
- Butterfly clip
- Rat tail comb

Step-by-step instructions for applying a cream-based toner on dry hair
- Make sure your hair is completely clean and dry.
- Squeeze the tube of semi-permanent toner into a colored bowl.
- Measure the correct amount of key with your measuring cup. (The ratio between the amount of paint and the key to be used will be specified in the instructions for the paint.) Thoroughly Mix the color and key.
- Divide your hair into four sections, and secure each section in place with your butterfly clips.
- Dip the paintbrush in the paint and brush it around the perimeter of your hairline. Then apply the color to the perimeter of each of the four sections of hair.
- Start at the back of your head at the nape of your neck. Use your rat tail comb to cut a small section of hair.
- Brush the color over your hair, starting at the roots and working your way down to the ends. Use your fingers to squish and rub the color into your hair, completely saturating it with color.
- Work your way to the top of the head section by section, then move to the front sections of the hair.
- Once you’ve applied the color all over your head, cover your hair with a plastic cap.
- Set the timer to the recommended processing time.
- After your color has been processed for the recommended amount of time, shampoo your hair with a mild shampoo and be sure to let your conditioner soak into your hair for a few minutes. Use cold water to shampoo and condition your hair.
In conclusion
With the abundance of information out there, it’s sometimes difficult to discern exactly what you can and can’t do when it comes to hair coloring.
However, you can be sure that applying toner/semi-permanent hair color to dry hair is perfectly fine! With the suggestions from this article and the right materials, you’ll be expertly toning your hair in no time!
Main things you should know:
- A toner can include a color-imprinting shampoo or conditioner, but the most common and long-lasting type of toner is a semi-permanent color.
- Both liquid and cream based toners can be applied to dry hair. In fact, cream-based toners can only be applied to dry hair.
- Applying toner to dry hair will create a more drastic or dramatic effect than applying it to wet hair.
- Be sure to read all the instructions for the toner you are using before you start applying it.