Just saw three clients in a row with the same bad toner rinse

Honestly, I keep noticing stylists in my area not rinsing toner long enough. They'll do a quick 30 second rinse and call it good, but that leaves product behind that messes with the final color. I started timing a full 2 minute rinse with cool water about six months ago, and the difference in how long the tone lasts is huge. My clients are coming back with brassiness way less often now. Has anyone else found a sweet spot for rinse time that works for them?

3 comments

3 Comments

ryan_sanchez2mo ago

Oh man, the rinse time is key but the water temp is just as big a deal. I found cool water helps close the cuticle and lock the tone in, but if it's too cold it doesn't actually remove all the product. I aim for a full minute with lukewarm water, then finish with a cool minute. That seems to get everything out without shocking the hair.

wendy2052mo agoTop Commenter

Yeah I read something similar about that warm then cool rinse method. It makes sense what you're saying, @ryan_sanchez, about needing the warm water to actually clean everything out first. The cool finish really does seem to make my color look shinier and last longer.

the_sean1mo ago

Honestly, I think the rinse time thing is way overblown. I've been doing a quick 30 second rinse for years and my clients' color holds up just fine. A lot of it comes down to the specific toner formula you're using, not some magic timer. Spending extra minutes on rinsing just cuts into my schedule without a real payoff.