The best tone on tone colorations in the UK 2023

With age, hair tends to lose its natural color and shine. There is an effective and less aggressive solution if you want to get rid of dull hair: tone-on-tone coloring. Ammonia-free, non-permanent and easy to apply, this type of color masks all imperfections. But choosing between cream or liquid, brown or blonde hair color is not always easy. We've put together this guide to help you find the right tone-on-tone hair color for you.

Garnier - Movida 1
8/10

Best value for money

Garnier - Movida

The best tone-on-tone color in 2021

Give your hair a facelift with Garnier's Movida temporary hair color. It adds vibrant highlights to your natural color and gently covers your white hair for 6-8 weeks, without leaving any root effects.

10,34 £ on Amazon

If you want to dye your hair permanently and safely, Garnier's Movida hair color is your best choice. It's formulated with rich apricot milk that contains Pro-Vitamin A. Pro-Vitamin A is known for its softening properties that make your hair more supple. In addition to being shiny, it will become softer and silkier.

Without ammonia and with a pleasant fruity scent, this hair dye ensures good health for your scalp. It is very easy to use thanks to the patented Colorclic system. Its creamy, non-drip texture allows for a very precise application on your hair. In only 15 minutes, you have a natural color sublimated as well as white hair completely covered.

L'Oréal Paris Casting Cream Gloss 2
7/10

Best value for money

L'Oréal Paris Casting Cream Gloss

The best entry-level tone-on-tone color

L'Oréal Paris Casting Crème Gloss is the perfect way to take your hair coloring to the next level! With a creamy, non-runny texture, it's very easy to apply even for beginners. Plus, its non-permanent color fades after about 28 shampoos.

7,20 £ on Amazon

L'Oréal Paris Casting Crème Gloss promises to conceal up to 70% of white hair while caring for the hair. Thanks to its ammonia-free composition, it is perfectly respectful of the scalp. In addition, it gives off a pleasant, bewitching and fruity fragrance that permeates your hair. It provides an ultra-bright and natural color with a multitude of shades.

This non-permanent Casting Crème Gloss coloring contains a coloring cream, a developing milk and a nourishing care. The latter is scented with coconut, hazelnut, honey or goji extracts, depending on the shade chosen. It is applied after coloring to reveal well-nourished hair of incomparable softness. No matter what your natural hair color is, this tone-on-tone color does not change it, but makes it more vibrant!

Matrix So Color Cult 3
8/10

Best value for money

Matrix So Color Cult

The best high-end tone-on-tone color

With Matrix So Color Cult, you're assured of vibrant, long-lasting color. It comes in a wide range of unique shades to give you an original color without damaging your hair.

14,28 £ on Amazon

Dare to be colorful and look the way you want with Matrix So Color Cult! This tone-on-tone hair dye is of high quality and has a high concentration of color pigments. It allows you to achieve an intense, brilliant and long-lasting color. The color penetrates the hair fiber and stays there for a long time without damaging it.

Sold in a 90 ml tube, So Color Cult offers a gentle composition that takes care of your hair. It does not contain ammonia in order to respect your scalp. It has a creamy gel texture that ensures easy application and perfectly uniform coloring. It is mixed with 10 volume or 20 volume oxidizer in a 1:1 ratio and has a 20 minute application time.

Schwarzkopf Igora Vibrance 9.5.1 4
8/10

Excellent

Schwarzkopf Igora Vibrance 9.5.1

The tone-on-tone color with multiple actions

Igora Vibrance is a semi-permanent tone-on-tone hair color range from Schwarzkopf Professional. It has an innovative and very gentle formula, without ammonia and alcohol to take care of the most sensitive scalps.

13,57 £ on Amazon

Igora Vibrance is available in a variety of shades for incredibly bright and vibrant results. The liquid formula turns into a gel or cream upon contact with the activators. It allows you to choose the consistency that suits you best: gel for easy application or cream for more precision. The color lasts up to 25 shampoos and covers 70% of white hair.

This hair color has the Moisture Protecting Complex with AQUAXYL Technology. This protects the hair during the coloring process and ensures an optimal level of hydration to prevent breakage. Vitamins B3 and B5 act as an anti-dehydration shield, creating a perfectly smooth surface where the color sets for uniform results.

Buying guide • November 2023

Best tone on tone coloring

Any specific needs?

The best tone-on-tone color in 2021

The best entry-level tone-on-tone color

The best high-end tone-on-tone color

The tone-on-tone color with multiple actions

Your guide : Samuel

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Comparison table of the best tone on tone colorations

Top Inexpensive Top of the line Excellent
Garnier - Movida 5
8/10
L'Oréal Paris Casting Cream Gloss 6
7/10
Matrix So Color Cult 7
8/10
Schwarzkopf Igora Vibrance 9.5.1 8
8/10
OUR SELECTION
Garnier - Movida
L'Oréal Paris Casting Cream Gloss
Matrix So Color Cult
Schwarzkopf Igora Vibrance 9.5.1
Give your hair a facelift with Garnier's Movida temporary hair color. It adds vibrant highlights to your natural color and gently covers your white hair for 6-8 weeks, without leaving any root effects.
L'Oréal Paris Casting Crème Gloss is the perfect way to take your hair coloring to the next level! With a creamy, non-runny texture, it's very easy to apply even for beginners. Plus, its non-permanent color fades after about 28 shampoos.
With Matrix So Color Cult, you're assured of vibrant, long-lasting color. It comes in a wide range of unique shades to give you an original color without damaging your hair.
Igora Vibrance is a semi-permanent tone-on-tone hair color range from Schwarzkopf Professional. It has an innovative and very gentle formula, without ammonia and alcohol to take care of the most sensitive scalps.
Color
15 Dark Blonde
Chestnut
Gray
Blonde
Shape
Creamy
Cream
Colorant
liquid/cream
Effectiveness
Works in just 15 minutes
up to 28 shampoos
Long wear
Up to 25 shampoos
Application
Like a shampoo
Like a shampoo
Direct application
Mixes in equal amounts with its oxidizer
Specifics
Disappears after 28 shampoos, ammonia-free, long-lasting coverage for white hair, creamy care formula
Ammonia-free, nourishing care, up to 70% coverage of white hair, 3 times more shine
Superior care, only 20 minutes of break time
Up to 70% white camouflage,

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Buying guide - tone on tone coloring

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How to choose your tone on tone coloring

You may be familiar with a prestigious cosmetic brand, but you don't have a clue how to find the right tone-on-tone hair color. Here are the criteria you need to consider to choose your shade wisely.

#1 - Hair texture

Before you choose a tone-on-tone hair color, you must first consider the texture of your hair. Regardless of your hair type, there are 3 different textures: fine, medium and thick. So it is very important that your choice can match your hair texture well!

#2 - Skin tone

The color of your hair should be in harmony with the appearance of your skin. Do you have dark skin? It is recommended to opt for colors like golden blond or chestnut. But if you are fair-skinned, it is advisable to go for colors such as ice brown or ash brown. If you're over 40, it's best to choose a lighter color so as not to harden the features.

#3 - Coverage ability

In most cases, tone-on-tone coloring has good coverage. Are you getting older and starting to have graying hair and would like to cover it up? It is worth noting that most tone-on-tone hair colors offer the possibility of covering up to 50, 60 or even 80% of your white hair. It's important to find a hair color that matches your natural hair color as closely as possible. For example, if you have blonde hair, choose a shade that matches. That way, you'll get a result that won't disappoint.

#4 - Hue

Most hair colors contain ammonia. A substance that tends to damage the hair in the long run. Fortunately, there are tone-on-tone hair colors without ammonia. Just be sure to check whether or not the product you choose contains this type of chemical, which has a nasty habit of causing hair damage.

#5 - Components

What is tone-on-tone hair coloring and how do you achieve it?

Also known as semi-permanent, tone-on-tone coloring is a type of coloring that incorporates oxidizing agents, but does not contain ammonia. As a result, it doesn't harm your hair like traditional hair color. In the end, you end up with hair that is less damaged than usual. Moreover, there are many reasons why women use it.

Nothing but benefits

Want to change your look, but just for a while? In that case, tone-on-tone hair color is perfect! It's not permanent, so you won't have to wait too long for it to fade. Is your hair dull? To give it intensity, tone-on-tone hair color is the most appropriate solution. And for young people who have white hair, this product can be used to camouflage it. The same goes for people who are starting to age and have the same concern. Tone-on-tone coloring has a 50% coverage capacity on white hair. In addition, it has no root effect, so there is no need to touch up regrowth.

What are the steps to follow for success?

In order to guarantee success when applying this type of coloring, a few steps must be followed. First, be sure to read the instructions carefully, as some models can be used on wet hair and others on dry hair. For the next step, it's all about putting on protective gear like gloves for your hands! Don't forget to apply cream around the face. Next, separate the strands from the hair and carefully apply the product from the roots to the ends. Once it's done, you'll need to wait about 20 minutes. And finally, you finish the operation with a big rinse.

The different types of tone on tone colorations

Now that you know the criteria for choosing this color, it's time to take a closer look at its different variations.

Liquid Tone Color

Liquid" tone-on-tone hair colors, such as those based on oil, have many advantages. They generally have natural nourishing and protective properties that are very beneficial to the hair. As a result, you get soft, silky hair after regular use. In addition, the application of a "liquid" tone-on-tone color is effortless.

Despite its many benefits, liquid tone-on-tone hair color does have a few drawbacks. Starting with its texture, which is probably the biggest drawback of this type of product. Indeed, users sometimes complain that the texture tends to be runny. Which is not the most pleasant!

Cream Tone Color

specific, it is able to penetrate the fiber of your hair. These will be shinier than ever! Also, unlike an oil-based product, "cream" tone-on-tone hair color has a texture that doesn't run.

Cream tone-on-tone hair color requires careful application and a little more effort compared to a "liquid" model. Secondly, the smell of the product may linger a little longer. This is not a big deal if it is pleasant, but it is more annoying if you are dealing with a strong smelling hair color.

Tone-on-tone or permanent hair color?

Tone on tone coloring

If we compare tone-on-tone hair coloring to permanent hair coloring, we can say that it has several advantages. Firstly, its "non-permanent" nature is very practical if you want to adopt a new look, for example, but on a temporary basis. Indeed, it fades quite quickly after a few shampoos. Secondly, tone-on-tone hair color does not contain harmful products such as ammonia.

Compared to permanent hair coloring, tone-on-tone hair coloring has a much lower coverage capacity, especially for white hair. Indeed, it has the particularity of being less pigmented and therefore it can only cover 30% or 50% of white hair. It is therefore not the best way if you intend to conceal them completely.

Permanent coloring

Compared to tone-on-tone hair coloring, permanent hair color is very covering. It is therefore able to hide all of your white hair. Apart from that, permanent hair color does not require you to do frequent maintenance, unlike tone-on-tone hair color. It guarantees you a beautiful color for a few months; maybe even longer.

One of the major drawbacks of permanent hair color is its impact on the hair due to the presence of ammonia. In the long run, its use can cause severe damage to your hair. Moreover, if you don't like the result, you will have to wait a long time to get back to your natural base. The time it takes for your hair to grow back!

Verdict

Both tone-on-tone and permanent hair coloring are great options. The choice will depend largely on your needs. If you want to cover up all of your gray hair, then you should go with permanent hair color, which is more effective. If you want to change your style from time to time without damaging your hair, tone-on-tone coloring is more appropriate.

Why buy a tone-on-tone hair color?

To conceal gray hair

Although there are people who like to have "salt and pepper" hair, not everyone does! If you are one of them, the best solution is to use tone-on-tone hair coloring. It is an effective way to camouflage your white hair without damaging it.

To make corrections

If you have applied hair coloring and later notice the appearance of unpleasant highlights, you can still remedy this problem with tone-on-tone hair coloring. Tone-on-tone hair coloring can eliminate these highlights by effectively covering up those annoying shades. Once the corrections are made, you're sure to be delighted with the results.

To add shine to your hair

Tone-on-tone coloring is the right solution for dull hair. If you are concerned about this kind of problem and you want to give your hair a bit of a boost, don't hesitate to use this product. This coloring acts to give not only shine, but also brilliance to your hair.

For its non-permanent nature

Sometimes you choose a hair coloring product at the beginning and you are not completely satisfied. Once the product is applied, you realize too late that it's just not the result you were hoping for. No need to panic! Tone-on-tone coloring has the advantage of fading fairly quickly. In addition, it does not require you to do a discoloration.

For its accessibility

Finally, you don't need a professional to apply this product correctly! You can totally do it yourself while staying at home. Just follow a few steps and use the right tools and you're done. As for maintenance, it is easy to do and will not cause you any problems.

The best brands of tone on tone colorations

In our opinion, the best brands of tone on tone colorations in 2022 are :

L’Oréal
Garnier
Kéranove
Schwarzkopf
Dessange

A world leader in beauty, this brand was founded in 1909. Its ambition is to offer the best in cosmetic innovation not only to women, but also to men. With its know-how and experience acquired over a century of existence, L'Oréal stands out today with its high quality products such as its hair colorations.

The world famous French brand was created in 1904. It is considered a pioneer in hair and skin care. Nowadays, the brand suggests innovative beauty products with great effectiveness. Garnier is widely known for its willingness to use natural ingredients (fruits, seeds, buds, flowers) and its environmentally friendly approach.

With half a century of expertise in dermo-capillary care, Kéranove comes in two ranges namely Kéranove Oléo Color and Kéranove Naturanove. The specificity of Kéranove products is a conception based on "techno-naturality". Shampoo, vegetable coloring, "organic" care ... the brand provides these ladies with a very extensive offer.

This brand first appeared in 1898 and was created by Hans Schwarzkopf. From the beginning, it focuses on the beauty sector by developing washing powders. After its initial success, the brand decided to innovate in order to provide the hairdressing professionals with the support they needed. The brand is dedicated to the beauty of women. It promises them to live memorable moments. The brand has gained international fame because of its products that constantly strive for excellence. On the other hand, Dessange distinguishes itself by its concept of responsible luxury. Makeup, hair care, face and body care... these are just a few examples of Dessange's know-how.

What is the price for a tone on tone coloring

The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).

However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.

We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.

Entry-level
5 £ to 10 £
Mid-range
10 £ to 15 £
High-end
more than 15 £
Price range diagram

Tips

Get closer to your natural color

The advantage of choosing a tone-on-tone hair color is to obtain a bright hair with a natural look. Your hair color should be close to your base color to avoid distorting it. In addition, tone-on-tone coloring is not intended to lighten your hair. However, it can darken your hair by two tones.

Use a restorative mask

You absolutely must protect your coloring from external aggressions. To do this, it is essential to include in your hair care routine the application of a mask. You must choose a product that is nourishing and rich in antioxidants. This way, you will be guaranteed that your hair can benefit from optimal hydration and that your coloring remains brilliant.

Protect your hands while coloring

If you do your own coloring, you must have the recommended equipment to guarantee your safety and the success of the operation. For example, it's important that you wear gloves while coloring. This will prevent you from staining your hands. For optimal protection, it is best to put on your gloves as soon as you prepare the coloring and keep them on as long as you are in contact with it.

Maintain tone-on-tone color

The tone-on-tone coloring is semi-permanent. It therefore fades after a few weeks. However, there are hair care products that will have the effect of prolonging the hold of your coloring. You can use a nourishing mask in addition to a shampoo and conditioner specially formulated for colored hair. You can also reiterate your coloring to revive it and avoid going back to your natural color.

Perform an allergy test before application

In principle, tone-on-tone coloring does not cause allergies since it does not contain harmful chemicals. Nevertheless, it's best to reduce the risks to nothing with the help of an allergy test. To perform this test, simply apply a drop of the coloring to your skin. If there are no signs of allergy, within 48 hours of the test, you can use the hair color with complete peace of mind.

FAQ

Does tone-on-tone coloring damage hair?

Unlike permanent hair color, diocolor does not penetrate the hair fiber. In fact, tone-on-tone coloring does not contain chemicals that open the hair scales. It works on the surface to avoid damaging your hair. However, you should always use the right care products for your colored hair to avoid damaging it over time.

How long does tone-on-tone coloring last?

Tone-on-tone coloring is semi-permanent. It therefore fades after 6 to 8 weeks. However, it happens that some pigments have a greater resistance than others and even time to leave. To increase the hold of your hair color, you can wash your hair with a repigmenting shampoo.

How to choose tone-on-tone coloring?

To choose the right tone-on-tone hair color, you need to take into account your skin tone. If you have dark skin, we suggest you turn to warm tones like chestnut, golden blonde or Venetian blonde. On the other hand, if you have fair skin, cool tones like blond or ash brown will suit you wonderfully.

When to use tone-on-tone coloring?

A tone-on-tone coloring is your ally if you want to give your hair some shine. You can also use it to make your hair look fuller. Semi-permanent hair color is also great for covering up early gray without hardening your features. And since tone-on-tone hair color treats your hair gently, you can renew your color whenever the need arises.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
  1. Toxic Substances in Cosmetics Comparison - Hair Colors (Hair Care), quechoisir.org
  2. Best Ammonia Free Haircolor 2020: Our Top 5, lucette.com
  3. Semi-Permanent Haircolor: The brand comparison, color-mania.fr
  4. Choosing your hair color, laboutiqueducoiffeur.com
  5. Tone-on-tone hair color all you need to know, franckprovost-expert.com
  6. What is tone-on-tone hair color?, eugene-color.fr
  7. Tone-on-tone hair color for whom?Temporary tone-on-tone permanent: your hair coloring glossary, beaute.fr
  8. How to Find the Best Hair Color for Your Skin Tone, jeanlouisdavid.us
  9. The 6 Best Ammonia-Free Hair Dyes to Try in 2021, rd.com
  10. The best tone-on-tone coloring, instyle.com
  11. Tone-on-tone coloring: reviving a color quickly, schwarzkopf.fr
  12. Tone-on-tone coloring - ELLE Magazine, elle.fr
  13. Tone-on-tone coloring: getting it right ...., macouleurdecheveux.fr
  14. Tone-on-tone hair coloring: definition and explanations, le-blog-de-la-coiffure.com
  15. Tone-on-tone hair coloring, why adopt it ..., femmeactuelle.fr
  16. Coloration | Tone-on-tone hair coloring | Bleu Libellule, bleulibellule.com
  17. Coloration ⋅ Franck Provost | Tone-on-tone hair coloring, all ..., franckprovost-expert.com
  18. What is tone-on-tone coloring - Eugene Color, eugene-color.fr
  19. Tone-on-tone coloring Carmen | Eugène Perma, bleulibellule.com
  20. Tone-on-tone coloring: application, renewal - Ooreka, coiffure.staging.ooreka.fr
  21. Amazon.co.uk : tone-on-tone coloring, amazon.co.uk
  22. Everything you need to know about tone-on-tone coloring - Cosmopolitan.fr, cosmopolitan.fr
  23. Tone-on-tone coloring - Hair color - Gouiran Beauté Pro, gouiran-beaute.com
  24. Tone-on-tone coloring - Chronocoif, chronocoif.fr
  25. Tone-on-tone coloring without ammonia - Vision-hair, vision-hair.net
  26. Tone-on-tone coloring without ammonia - all about ...., jeanlouisdavid.com
  27. Tone-on-tone hair color Dialight L'Oréal Professionnel 50ML, beautycoiffure.com
  28. L'Oréal Paris Casting Cream Gloss Tone-on-Tone Haircolor ..., amazon.co.uk
  29. Tone-on-tone hair color - Super U, Hyper U, U Express ..., coursesu.com
  30. Ammonia-free hair color for a subtle scent ..., loreal-paris.fr
  31. Tone-on-tone hair color - Coiffure Market, coiffuremarket.com
  32. Colorations: Premium, Light, Tone on Tone - DESSANGE, salon.dessange.com
  33. Vitacolor Tone on Tone Haircolor Fauvert Professionnel, beautycoiffure.com
  34. Dia Light Tone on Tone Haircolor 50 ml - L'Oréal ..., labeautepro.fr
See more

Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

See more
Our selection
Garnier - Movida 9
Garnier - Movida
L'Oréal Paris Casting Cream Gloss 10
L'Oréal Paris Casting Cream Gloss
Matrix So Color Cult 11
Matrix So Color Cult
Schwarzkopf Igora Vibrance 9.5.1 12
Schwarzkopf Igora Vibrance 9.5.1

Lecteurs

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