The Tamesis
For anyone with silver strands, having the best gray hair toner on hand (or, more accurately, in the shower) is a beneficial move. “From a professional perspective, gray hair looks more like blonde hair than people think,” explains professional stylist and colorist Elisha Smith. “Without natural pigments, gray hair is particularly susceptible to yellowing from sun exposure, heat styling, and daily environmental stressors. That’s why toning is not optional, it’s essential.”
Home toners don’t change the color of silver hair with bleach or hair dye; rather, they improve it, Smith says. “The violet-based formula neutralizes warmth and restores clarity and brightness, so grays look intentional rather than dull,” she explains. “The goal is polish, not pigment. Gray can be so chic if done right.”
FashionFavorite toner for gray hair:
Kristin Ess The One Signature Pomade, Platinum: Icy Translucent Gray
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Moroccanoil Blonde Perfect Purple Conditioner
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Next, let’s take a look at gray hair toners recommended by insiders that will keep your hair soft, manageable, and indeed, stylish. Not only are there a selection of the best toners to choose from, but there are also toning masks, shampoos, conditioners, and more.
Best Overall: Kristin Ess The One Signature Pomade, Platinum: Icy Translucent Gray
- Why we love it: “I love Kristin Ess because it delivers salon-quality results at an affordable price,” says professional hairstylist and content creator Jeremy Pugh. “This kit makes conditioning your hair at home easier and less scary, and the signature scent is top-notch.” The kit comes with a clearly labeled activator and toning gloss that’s perfect for ash blonde and silver lengths. To use, simply mix the two bottles together, apply the mixture to wet hair in the shower, leave on for 10-20 minutes, then shampoo and condition as usual. As for that signature scent? The floral and woody blend of pear, magnolia and mallow has earned its classic status.
- Main ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide, pigment complex, propylene glycol, oleyl alcohol
- Best for: Neutralizes brassiness and adds shine to all hair types
- size: Activator: 2 fl oz, Platinum Sheen: 2 fl oz
Best Conditioner: Moroccanoil Blonde Perfect Purple Conditioner
- Why we love it: Celebrity stylist Dimitris Giannetos recommends Moroccan oil products, not only for blondes but also for aging hair. Why? They’re enriched with argan oil to rejuvenate dull, dry, brittle hair. “What hair oil does is it creates a protective layer around your hair shaft, locking in moisture and nutrients,” Giannitos previously told Fashion. “As a result, your hair will feel more moisturized and shinier.” This complexion-correcting conditioner is infused with ArganID technology to repair and seal cuticles. It’s also made from a fortified blend of amino acids and purple pigments. To use this treatment, massage it into your hair after shampooing, leave on for five minutes, then rinse. Not only do you get a brighter, more dimensional shade, but the product also leaves your hair enveloped in Moroccanoil’s signature scent, a captivating blend of famous amber and sweet florals.
- Main ingredients: Argan oil, amino acid blend, purple pigment
- Best for: Neutralizes brass tones, enhances shine, softness, smoothness, and combability
- size: 6.4 fluid ounces
Best purple shampoo: Fanola yellow-free shampoo
- Why we love it: While blondes often use shampoos that contain blue pigments to tone their hair, “purple shampoos are a better choice for gray hair,” explains Kristina Moore, owner and colorist at BeautyWorx Hair & Nail Salon in Phoenix. “When you think about complementary colors, like in art class, purple neutralizes yellow, which is the most common unwanted tint in gray or white hair.” She says this Italian-made shampoo is one of her go-tos because it neutralizes yellow tones and makes gray hair look vibrant and shiny. Enriched with hydrolyzed silk and propylene glycol to hydrate, this ammonia-free shampoo also contains wine extract to enhance shine and provide antioxidant protection.
- Main ingredients: Violet pigment, hydrolyzed silk, wine extract, propylene glycol
- Best for: Neutralizes brassy to enhance shine, softness and manageability
- size: 11.8 fluid ounces
Best Hair Shine: L’Oreal Paris Le Color Gloss one-step color gloss, silver white
- Why we love it: one FashionFavorite lip gloss from this drugstore bestseller Makes color correcting easy, with no mixing (or mess) involved. Simply apply the solution to clean, damp hair in the shower, leave on for 15 minutes, then rinse. Another favorite from Giannetos, this conditioning formula is infused with coconut oil to give hair a glassy shine. Plus, its 10-shade range includes not one, but three gray hair color options: Silver, Silver, and Silver Slate.
- Main ingredients: Purple Pigment, Coconut Oil, Propylene Glycol
- Best for: Neutralizes brass tones and enhances shine, moisture, smoothness, and manageability
- size: 4 fl oz
Best toning shampoo: Kérastase Blond Absolu Bain UV
- Why we love it: “For clients who are maintaining gray hair at home, this can provide effective toning without stripping the hair,” says Smith. Pugh is also a fan of purple shampoo, which contains hyaluronic acid and edelweiss extract to strengthen and soften the complexion. “As a blonde, this has to be one of my favorite toning shampoos because it works so well and It’s very hydrating,” says Pugh, “which is something you don’t often see in purple shampoos. ” He adds that the formula works on both blondes and gray hair, and that its musky floral scent smells “really fancy.”
- Main ingredients: Violet pigment, hyaluronic acid, edelweiss extract
- Best for: Neutralize orange tintenhances shine and brightness, moisturizes and strengthens
- size: 8.5 fl oz
Best Face Mask: Balmain Brightening Pearl Mask
- Why we love it: “Use a toning mask every few weeks to increase skin’s softness, radiance and a more refined look,” says Smith. She notes, “Balmain’s Illuminating Color Mask, made with argan extract and silk protein, is amazing—subtle, luminous, and deeply conditioning.” “They’re perfect for gray hair that needs brightness and moisture.” She adds that the White Pearl Hair Mask, especially when used with Balmain’s Silver Pearl Shampoo, can give hair a soft, pearlescent beige hue.
- Main ingredients: Violet pigment, argan elixir, silk protein, cashmere protein
- Best for: Neutralizes brass color, repairs damage, increases gloss, smoothness, and ease of combing
- size: 6.8 ounces
Everything you need to know
What effect does toner have on gray hair?
“When clients with gray hair ask for a toner, it’s usually because their hair looks dull, yellow, or brassy,” says colorist and founder of Lrn Beauty Lauren Paglionico. Since there is no melanin (or pigment) in hair, it is more likely to absorb environmental elements such as pollution, smoke, and UV rays. “These elements can stain hair and give it a yellowish appearance,” Paglinico points out. “Using a toner can help eliminate these unwanted tones.” That’s because the cool-toned purple pigments in toning products help combat naturally occurring brassiness.
How to choose the right toner for you
“The best way to determine which toner is best for you is based on your gray color,” Paglionico points out. “If you have yellow or brassy hair, a purple toner or shampoo will help neutralize it. If you’ve been using purple shampoo or toner and your hair looks dull or muddy, you may have toner buildup.” In this case, she says, it’s best to use a clarifying shampoo and stop using toner for a while.
Care is also an important part of keeping gray hair shiny and strong. “I always consider more than just color correction when choosing toner,” says Smith. “Grey hair tends to be drier and more brittle, so moisturizing is as important as skin tone.” As such, she stresses the importance of adding a conditioning toner or mask to your home routine.
How to condition your hair at home
“At home, simplicity is best,” Smith said. “Use purple shampoo once a week and leave it on briefly to keep it cool but not overdo it.” She notes that it’s best to start with your daily shampoo and then touch up with a conditioning shampoo to avoid over-drying. Every few weeks, she recommends using a toning mask to enhance skin’s softness and radiance.
But remember, these products are not intended to be used as leave-on masks, so pay attention to each product’s instructions and don’t leave the product on longer than required to avoid unexpected lilac lengths.
When we test and review products, we take a holistic approach to provide comprehensive product recommendations. First, we rely on Vogue’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity hairstylists—for expert acumen on the industry’s standout products, who actually use them on their clients. We combine their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to gray hair toners, we selected the best ones based on the following characteristics: ingredients, formula type, ease of use, neutralizing shades, and the hair care concerns they address. To do this, we combine our own personal testing of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which formulas we recommend to you.
- Elisha Smith is a stylist, colorist and international master educator at Balmain Hair Couture.
- Lauren Paglionico is a master colorist and the founder of Lrn Beauty in New York.
- Jeremy Pugh is a professional hairstylist and content creator.
- Kristina Moore is the owner and colorist of BeautyWorx Hair & Nail Salon in Phoenix, Arizona.
