For anyone with silver strands, keeping the best gray hair toners on hand (or, more accurately, in the shower) is a smart move. “From a professional standpoint, gray hair behaves much more like blonde hair than people realize,” explains pro stylist and colorist Elisha Smith. “Without natural pigment, gray hair is especially prone to yellowing from sun exposure, heat styling, and everyday environmental factors. That’s why toning isn’t optional—it’s essential.”
At-home toners don’t change the color of silver hair with bleach or dye, Smith notes; instead, they refine it. “Violet-based formulas neutralize warmth, restoring clarity and brightness so gray looks intentional rather than dull,” she says. “The goal is polish, not pigment. When done correctly, gray can be incredibly chic.”
Vogue’s Favorite Toners for Gray Hair:
Best Overall
Kristin Ess The One Signature Hair Gloss, Platinum: Icy Translucent Ash
$15 at AMAZON
Best Purple Shampoo
Fanola No Yellow Purple Shampoo
$19 at AMAZON
Best Conditioner
Moroccanoil Blonde Perfecting Purple Conditioner
$30 at AMAZON
In This Story
– What does a toner do to gray hair?
– How to Choose the Right Toner for You
– How to Tone Your Hair at Home
– How We Tested
– Meet the Experts
Ahead, find the gray hair toners industry insiders recommend to keep hair soft, manageable, and undeniably chic. And it’s not just a selection of toners—there are toning masks, shampoos, conditioners, and more.
Best Overall: Kristin Ess The One Signature Hair Gloss, Platinum: Icy Translucent Ash
Kristin Ess The One Signature Hair Gloss, Platinum: Icy Translucent Ash
$15 at AMAZON
Why We Love It: “I love Kristin Ess because it gives salon-quality results at an affordable price,” says pro hairstylist and content creator Jeremy Pugh. “This kit makes toning your hair at home feel easier and less intimidating, and the signature scent is top-tier.” The kit comes with a clearly-labeled activator and toning gloss, which works well for ash blondes and silvery hair. To use it, simply mix the two bottles together, apply the product to wet hair in the shower, and leave it on for 10-20 minutes before shampooing and conditioning as usual. As for that signature scent? The floral-woody mix of pear, magnolia, and ambrette has earned its cult-classic status.
Key Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide, pigment complex, propylene glycol, oleyl alcohol
Best For: Neutralizing brassiness in all hair types, adding shine
Size: Activator: 2 fl oz, Platinum Gloss: 2 fl oz
Best Conditioner: Moroccanoil Blonde Perfecting Purple Conditioner
Moroccanoil Blonde Perfecting Purple Conditioner
$30 at AMAZON | $30 at NORDSTROM
Why We Love It: Celebrity stylist Dimitris Giannetos recommends Moroccanoil products not just for blonde hair, but for aging hair too. Why? They’re rich in argan oil, which can revive dull, dry, brittle strands. “Hair oil works by creating a protective layer around your hair shaft, which locks in moisture and nutrients,” Giannetos previously told Vogue. “As a result, your hair will feel more moisturized and have more shine.” This tone-correcting conditioner is infused with ArganID Technology, which repairs and seals the cuticles. It’s also made with a strengthening blend of amino acids and violet pigments. To use the treatment, massage it into hair after shampooing, leave it on for five minutes, and rinse it out. Not only will you be left with a brighter, more dimensional tone—the product also leaves hair with Moroccanoil’s signature scent, a famously alluring blend of amber and sweet floral notes.
Key Ingredients: Argan oil, amino acid blend, violet pigments
Best For: Neutralizing brassiness, boosting shine, softness, smoothness, and manageability
Size: 6.4 fl oz
Best Purple Shampoo: Fanola No Yellow Shampoo
Fanola No Yellow Purple Shampoo
$19 at AMAZON
Why We Love It: While blondes often use shampoos with blue pigments for toning, purple shampoo is the best choice for gray hair.Kristina Moore, owner and colorist at BeautyWorx Hair & Nail Salon in Phoenix, explains why purple-based products are ideal for gray hair. “Think back to complementary colors from art class—purple neutralizes yellow, which is the most common unwanted tone in gray or white hair.” She recommends this Italian-made shampoo for neutralizing yellow tones and making gray hair appear vibrant and luminous. Infused with hydrolyzed silk and propylene glycol for moisture, the ammonia-free formula also contains wine extract to boost shine and provide antioxidant protection.
Key Ingredients: Violet pigment, hydrolyzed silk, wine extract, propylene glycol
Best For: Neutralizing brassiness, boosting shine, softness, and manageability
Size: 11.8 fl oz
### Best Hair Gloss: L’Oréal Paris Le Color Gloss One Step Toning Gloss, Silver White
A drugstore best seller and one of Vogue’s favorite glosses, this product simplifies toning with no mixing required. Apply to clean, damp hair in the shower, leave on for 15 minutes, and rinse. Colorist Giannetos loves this conditioning formula, which is infused with coconut oil for a glassy shine. It offers three shades for gray hair: Silver White, Silver, and Silver Slate.
Key Ingredients: Violet pigments, coconut oil, propylene glycol
Best For: Neutralizing brassy tones, boosting shine, moisture, smoothness, manageability
Size: 4 fl oz
### Best Toning Shampoo: Kérastase Blond Absolu Bain Ultra-Violet
Colorist Smith recommends this shampoo for effective toning without stripping hair. Pugh also praises it, noting its hyaluronic acid and edelweiss flower extract for strengthening and softening. “As a blonde, this is one of my favorite toning shampoos because it’s both effective and extremely moisturizing—a rare combination in purple shampoos,” he says. The formula works on blonde and gray hair and has a luxurious musky-floral scent.
Key Ingredients: Violet pigments, hyaluronic acid, edelweiss flower extract
Best For: Neutralizing orange tones, boosting shine and luminosity, hydrating, and strengthening
Size: 8.5 fl oz
### Best Mask: Balmain Illuminating Mask White Pearl
Smith suggests using a toning mask every few weeks for added softness, shine, and a refined finish. She highlights Balmain’s Illuminating color masks for their subtle luminosity and deep conditioning, thanks to ingredients like argan elixir and silk protein. “They’re ideal for gray hair needing both brightness and moisture,” she says. The White Pearl mask, especially when paired with Balmain’s Silver Pearl Shampoo, imparts a soft, pearlescent beige tone.
Key Ingredients: Violet pigments, argan elixir, silk protein, cashmere protein
Best For: Neutralizing brassiness, repairing damage, adding shine, smoothness, manageability
Size: 6.8 oz
### Everything You Need To Know
What does a toner do to gray hair?
Master colorist Lauren Paglionico explains that clients often request toners when their gray hair looks dull, yellow, or brassy. Since gray hair lacks melanin, it easily absorbs environmental elements like pollution and UV rays, which can cause a yellow cast. Toners help remove these unwanted tones by using cool purple pigments to counteract natural brassiness.
How to Choose the Right Toner for YouTo find the best toner for your gray hair, consider the color of your grays. “If your gray hair is yellow or brassy, a purple-based toner or shampoo will help neutralize it,” says colorist Lauren Paglionico. She cautions that if your hair looks dull or muddy after using purple products, you may have toner buildup. In that case, use a clarifying shampoo and take a break from toner.
Conditioning is also key for keeping gray hair luminous and strong. “Gray hair tends to be drier and more fragile, so hydration matters just as much as tone,” says stylist Elisha Smith. She recommends looking for toners that offer conditioning benefits or incorporating color-enhancing masks into your routine.
For toning at home, Smith advises keeping it simple. “A purple shampoo used once a week, left on briefly, maintains coolness without overdoing it.” She suggests using your regular shampoo first, then applying a toning shampoo for touch-ups to prevent over-drying. Every few weeks, use a toning mask to boost softness and shine. Always follow the product directions carefully and avoid leaving these products on longer than instructed to prevent unexpectedly lilac tones.
How We Tested
Our product reviews take a holistic approach. We consult Vogue’s network of experts—including dermatologists and hairstylists—to identify standout products professionals trust. We combine their insights with our editorial standards to create thoughtful recommendations.
For gray hair toners, we evaluated products based on ingredients, formula type, ease of application, the tones they neutralize, and the hair concerns they address. Our recommendations are based on personal testing, expert guidance, and customer reviews.
Meet the Experts
– Elisha Smith: Stylist, colorist, and international master educator for Balmain Hair Couture.
– Lauren Paglionico: Master colorist and founder of Lrn Beauty in New York.
– Jeremy Pugh: Professional hairstylist and content creator.
– Kristina Moore: Owner and colorist at BeautyWorx Hair & Nail Salon in Phoenix, Arizona.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs Top Gray Hair Toners for Eliminating Brassiness Boosting Shine
Beginner General Questions
1 What exactly is a hair toner and how does it work on gray hair
A toner is a semipermanent color treatment often a purple or blue formula that neutralizes unwanted warm tones in hair For gray hair it works by depositing cool sheer color to counteract yellowing making grays look brighter whiter and more vibrant
2 Why does my gray or white hair turn yellow or brassy
This is most often caused by environmental factors like sun exposure chlorine hard water minerals or product buildup It can also happen when the natural pigments in gray hair oxidize or if residue from previous hair products reacts
3 Whats the difference between a purple and a blue toner
Purple toner neutralizes yellow tones Its the most common choice for brightening white silver or light gray hair
Blue toner neutralizes orange tones Its better for darker grays or hair that has a more orangey brass
4 Can I use a toner if I have natural gray hair without any dye
Absolutely Toners are perfect for natural gray hair to enhance its coolness eliminate yellowing and add shine Look for products labeled for natural gray or white hair
5 Are toners damaging to hair
Most modern toners especially depositonly formulas are very gentle and can even be conditioning However some toners mixed with a lowvolume developer can cause slight dryness with frequent use Always follow with a good conditioner
Application Product Questions
6 Should I use a shampoo mask or leavein toner
Toning ShampooMask Best for maintenance Use 13 times a week to prevent brassiness between treatments Great for beginners
LeaveinStyling Product Offers subtle gradual toning and is very lowcommitment