Brassy Grey Hair? These Toners That Makes Grey Hair Look Instantly Brighter
Maintaining vibrant, glossy colour becomes increasingly challenging the lighter the hair — and with silver and grey shades, which tend to be coarser, it can be particularly tricky. The good news? A great, expertly formulated grey hair toner can make a noticeable difference, neutralising unwanted yellow or brassy tones while enhancing cool, silver hues for a brighter, more luminous finish.
Vogue’s best colour toners for grey hair at a glance:
Olaplex No.5P Blonde Hair Hydrating and Brightening Purple Toning Conditioner
L’Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Silver Conditioner
Here, we delve into the best hair toners for grey hair, along with some advice from a pro on how to use them.
The best hair toners for grey hair
L’Oréal Paris
Excellence Cool Silver Enhancing Treatment Shade Absolute Silver
Why it’s Vogue-approved: A semi-permanent colour-enhancing treatment mask for naturally grey or silver hair, this L’Oréal Paris formula takes just 10 minutes to neutralise yellow undertones and bring out the luminous silver ones for a reflective finish. It also contains ceramides to strengthen the hair, leaving it softer and more resilient.
Olaplex
No.5P Blonde Hair Hydrating and Brightening Purple Toning Conditioner
Why it’s Vogue-approved: Don’t be deterred by the “blonde” in this Olaplex product’s name — it is just as effective on grey and silver hair, helping to brighten and cool away brassiness. Powered by the brand’s signature bond-building technology, it enhances colour while keeping hair strong and resilient. A total no-brainer.
Why it’s Vogue-approved: Formulated with colour-depositing pigments, this Bleach London conditioner infuses hair with slate and grey tones while deeply conditioning the hair. Ideal for refreshing cool shades and neutralising unwanted yellow tones, it’s also vegan and cruelty-free. The formula is impressively effective and widely loved by those who’ve tried it.
Christophe Robin
Shade Variation Conditioner with Florentina Iris
Why it’s Vogue-approved: Infused with violet pigments, this conditioner is a fast track to cooler, brighter hair. Designed to complement the brand’s Shade Variation Mask (best used weekly), it’s packed with nourishing ingredients to keep strands soft and healthy – including buriti oil, almond butter and an omega-rich magnolia bark complex. Expect smoother, shinier and visibly brighter hair.
Moroccanoil
Blonde Perfecting Purple Conditioner
Why it’s Vogue-approved: This lightweight formula blends violet pigments with the brand’s ArganID technology to help repair and seal the cuticle for exceptional shine. For best results, leave it on for five minutes — though if you’re conditioning regularly, one to two minutes is plenty.
Davines
Alchemic Conditioner Silver
Why it’s Vogue-approved: Free from silicones and parabens, Davines’s offering is ideal for neutralising brassiness and enhancing the depth of grey, silver and platinum blonde tones. Enriched with jojoba oil and vitamin E, it softens the hair while providing antioxidant protection.
Why it’s Vogue-approved: For high-shine, lustrous hair, this dpHUE formula truly delivers. It tones quickly – in as little as three minutes – while leaving hair with a glossy, light-reflecting finish. A must-try for instant impact.
L’Oréal Professionnel
Serie Expert Silver Conditioner
Why it’s Vogue-approved: A firm favourite among professionals, this L’Oréal Professionnel conditioner is an excellent everyday option. Powered by ceramides and babassu oil, it nourishes dry strands, while violet and blue pigments help tone white, grey and light blonde hair.
FAQs
How do grey colour toners work?
“Grey toners work by depositing subtle cool pigments – such as blue, violet or silver – to neutralise unwanted yellow, orange or brassy tones in grey hair. This creates a cooler, more sophisticated silver finish, without the need for a drastic colour change,” explains John Clark, colourist at Nicole Clarke Salon. “The result is hair that appears healthier, glossier and more reflective, as improved tonal clarity adds depth and dimension while cancelling out dullness.”
Grey toners are semi-permanent, meaning they need to be used regularly to maintain results. While in-salon toners typically last around 20 washes and deliver more dramatic effects, at-home options require more consistent use and offer subtler results. That said, they still play an important role.
“They’re ideal for maintaining that ‘salon-fresh’ look,” Clark adds. “Professional toners are custom-blended and more powerful, but at-home formulas still deposit pigment to keep your shade looking polished and dimensional between appointments.”
How to use a grey colour toner at home
Typically applied to freshly shampooed hair, grey toners come in various formats – from conditioners to leave-in treatments – and how you use them depends on the formula you choose. Leave-in treatments should be applied and left to develop for five to 20 minutes, depending on the level of intensity you’re after. If you’re using a conditioning toner, always follow the instructions, though around five minutes is usually sufficient.