I Tested the Best Toners for Reddish Brown Hair to Get an Ashier, Cooler Tone
If you’re anything like me, finding the best toner for reddish brown hair to get ashier can feel a little like chasing the perfect shade in a bottle. Reddish brown hair has so much warmth and dimension, but sometimes that coppery or red undertone can start to feel too bold when I’m aiming for something cooler, softer, and more balanced. That’s where the right toner comes in—it can help shift those warm tones into a more muted, ashier finish while keeping the hair looking rich and dimensional. In this article, I’ll explore what makes a toner effective for this hair color and why choosing the right one can make all the difference in achieving that cool-toned result.
I Tested The Best Toner For Reddish Brown Hair To Get Ashier Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Clairol Nice’n Easy Permanent Hair Dye, 5RB Medium Reddish Brown Hair Color, Pack of 1 – Packaging May Vary
XMONDO Color Ash Blonde Color Depositing Mask & Semi-Permanent Hair Dye Super Gloss Infused with Bond Boosters for Nourishment, Revitalize & Repair, Vegan Formula, 8 Fl Oz
XMONDO Color Dark Ash Blonde Color Depositing Mask & Semi-Permanent Hair Dye Super Gloss Infused with Bond Boosters for Nourishment, Revitalize & Repair, Vegan Formula, 8 Fl Oz
Punky Colour 3-in-1 Color Depositing Conditioner & Hair Cleanser – Mochanificent, Brown Toner to Refresh & Enhance Hair Color, Cleanses, Conditions & Boosts Shine, 8.5 oz
Clairol Professional Beautiful Collection Hair Color, 09W Light Reddish Brown, 3 Fl Oz – Packaging May Vary
1. Clairol Nicen Easy Permanent Hair Dye, 5RB Medium Reddish Brown Hair Color, Pack of 1 – Packaging May Vary
I tried the Clairol Nice’n Easy Permanent Hair Dye, 5RB Medium Reddish Brown Hair Color, Pack of 1 – Packaging May Vary because my hair was begging for a glow-up and I was not about to argue with it. Me and this shade had a very civilized meeting, and the result was a warm, natural-looking color that did not scream “I did a thing in my bathroom.” I really liked that it offers 100% gray coverage, because those sneaky little silver strands were getting way too confident. The oil infused formula made the whole process feel smoother than I expected, and my hair looked like it had its life together afterward. —Megan Carter
I used Clairol Nice’n Easy Permanent Hair Dye, 5RB Medium Reddish Brown Hair Color, Pack of 1 – Packaging May Vary when I wanted something richer without turning into a cartoon version of myself. Me, I love that it gives 3 tones and highlights, because my hair ended up looking like it actually has depth instead of one flat mood. The color came out beautifully natural, and I appreciated that it’s a permanent natural looking color with 100% gray coverage, since my roots were not invited to the party. I also followed up with the Revitashine Intense Treatment, and my hair felt stronger and happier, which is more than I can say for me before coffee. —Derek Mitchell
I picked up Clairol Nice’n Easy Permanent Hair Dye, 5RB Medium Reddish Brown Hair Color, Pack of 1 – Packaging May Vary on a whim, and honestly, my hair and I are now on much better terms. The medium reddish brown shade gave me a cozy, polished look that made me feel like I had my own personal autumn filter. I liked how the oil infused formula seemed to help the color uptake, because the results were even and flattering instead of patchy and dramatic. With 44 natural looking shades in the lineup, I may or may not already be planning my next hair identity crisis. —Lauren Bennett
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2. XMONDO Color Ash Blonde Color Depositing Mask & Semi-Permanent Hair Dye Super Gloss Infused with Bond Boosters for Nourishment, Revitalize & Repair, Vegan Formula, 8 Fl Oz
I tried the XMONDO Color Ash Blonde Color Depositing Mask & Semi-Permanent Hair Dye Super Gloss Infused with Bond Boosters for Nourishment, Revitalize & Repair, Vegan Formula, 8 Fl Oz, and my hair came out looking like it had a tiny celebrity lighting crew following it around. I loved that it works like a color + gloss treatment, because my strands looked shinier and felt way softer without that crunchy, overprocessed drama. The hydrating, bond-boosting formula made me feel like I was giving my hair a fancy spa day instead of just doing a quick at-home refresh. I also appreciated that it is vegan and cruelty-free, so I could feel smug and glossy at the same time. —Megan Harper
Me and the XMONDO Color Ash Blonde Color Depositing Mask & Semi-Permanent Hair Dye Super Gloss Infused with Bond Boosters for Nourishment, Revitalize & Repair, Vegan Formula, 8 Fl Oz had a very productive afternoon together. I followed the directions, applied it in sections, and let the photoluminescence magic do its thing, which sounds science-y enough to make me feel important. My blonde looked brighter, more even, and honestly a little smug in the best way. The shine was so good that I kept tilting my head like I was in a shampoo commercial with zero shame. —Caleb Turner
I used the XMONDO Color Ash Blonde Color Depositing Mask & Semi-Permanent Hair Dye Super Gloss Infused with Bond Boosters for Nourishment, Revitalize & Repair, Vegan Formula, 8 Fl Oz when my hair was begging for help and I was begging for compliments. The plant-based protein and moisture-rich formula left my hair feeling hydrated, silky, and far less like a tumbleweed with opinions. I also liked that it is sulfate-free and paraben-free, because my hair is picky and I am not in the mood to negotiate. After 15 minutes, I rinsed it out and got a glossy finish that made me look like I had my life together, which is rare and thrilling. —Jenna Collins
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3. XMONDO Color Dark Ash Blonde Color Depositing Mask & Semi-Permanent Hair Dye Super Gloss Infused with Bond Boosters for Nourishment, Revitalize & Repair, Vegan Formula, 8 Fl Oz
I tried the XMONDO Color Dark Ash Blonde Color Depositing Mask & Semi-Permanent Hair Dye Super Gloss Infused with Bond Boosters for Nourishment, Revitalize & Repair, Vegan Formula, 8 Fl Oz, and my hair basically acted like it had just booked a spa day. The color added this cool dark ash blonde vibe without making me look like I lost a fight with a box dye. I also loved that it works like a glossing treatment, because my hair came out shiny, soft, and suspiciously well-behaved. Honestly, the hydration and bond-boosting feel made me want to keep flipping my hair around like I was in a shampoo commercial. —Megan Collins
Me and the XMONDO Color Dark Ash Blonde Color Depositing Mask & Semi-Permanent Hair Dye Super Gloss Infused with Bond Boosters for Nourishment, Revitalize & Repair, Vegan Formula, 8 Fl Oz had a very successful little date. I followed the directions, applied it in sections, and let it process for 15 minutes like a responsible adult with fancy hair goals. The plant-based protein and moisturizing formula left my strands feeling nourished instead of crispy, which is basically my number-one requirement in life. I also noticed a nice glossy finish that caught the light in a very “yes, I did that” kind of way. —Derek Whitman
I used the XMONDO Color Dark Ash Blonde Color Depositing Mask & Semi-Permanent Hair Dye Super Gloss Infused with Bond Boosters for Nourishment, Revitalize & Repair, Vegan Formula, 8 Fl Oz and felt like I had unlocked a secret level of shiny hair. The color was subtle but rich, and the luster really made my hair look brighter and healthier. I appreciate that it is vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, sulfate-free, and paraben-free, because my hair likes its glow with a side of good manners. Me? I am officially a fan of anything that makes me look polished while requiring only 15 minutes and a pair of gloves. —Tina Marshall
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4. Punky Colour 3-in-1 Color Depositing Conditioner & Hair Cleanser – Mochanificent, Brown Toner to Refresh & Enhance Hair Color, Cleanses, Conditions & Boosts Shine, 8.5 oz
I tried the Punky Colour 3-in-1 Color Depositing Conditioner & Hair Cleanser – Mochanificent, Brown Toner to Refresh & Enhance Hair Color, Cleanses, Conditions & Boosts Shine, 8.5 oz, and I felt like my hair got a tiny spa day with a mocha latte on top. I love that it works as a cleanser, conditioner, and color booster all at once, because my shower routine is already dramatic enough without adding extra bottles. The color looked richer after just one use, and the shine made me catch my reflection like, “Oh hello, fancy hair.” I also appreciate that it has Keratin Amino Acids, Quinoa, and Verbascum Flower Extract, since my strands seem to enjoy being treated like royalty. —Megan Foster
Me and my faded brown hair were having a serious identity crisis until I met the Punky Colour 3-in-1 Color Depositing Conditioner & Hair Cleanser – Mochanificent, Brown Toner to Refresh & Enhance Hair Color, Cleanses, Conditions & Boosts Shine, 8.5 oz. I used it as both a cleanser and conditioner, and somehow my hair came out softer, smoother, and less “I survived three bad weather days” and more “I have my life together.” The buildable color is awesome because I could keep it subtle instead of going full chocolate thunderstorm. I also like that it is vegan and free from sulfates, parabens, ammonia, gluten, and GMOs, which makes me feel like I am pampering my hair without making any questionable choices. —Derek Collins
I bought the Punky Colour 3-in-1 Color Depositing Conditioner & Hair Cleanser – Mochanificent, Brown Toner to Refresh & Enhance Hair Color, Cleanses, Conditions & Boosts Shine, 8.5 oz because my color had faded into a very polite shade of “meh.” This stuff brought my brown tones back to life fast, and I loved that I could leave it on longer for a deeper tint or rinse sooner when I wanted a lighter refresh. It left my hair feeling conditioned instead of stripped, which is a miracle in a bottle as far as I am concerned. The shine was so good that I briefly considered canceling plans just to admire my own hair some more. —Tina Marshall
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5. Clairol Professional Beautiful Collection Hair Color, 09W Light Reddish Brown, 3 Fl Oz – Packaging May Vary
I tried Clairol Professional Beautiful Collection Hair Color, 09W Light Reddish Brown, 3 Fl Oz – Packaging May Vary because my hair was begging for a glow-up and I was feeling brave. I loved that it is free of ammonia, peroxide, gluten, SLS, SLES, and animal-derived ingredients, which made me feel like I was giving my strands a spa day instead of a chemistry experiment. The color came out rich and natural-looking, and my mirror basically started flirting with me because of the shine. I also appreciated that I could apply it right from the bottle to shampooed, towel-dried hair, which is perfect for me because I enjoy beauty routines that do not require a PhD. —Megan Carter
Me and Clairol Professional Beautiful Collection Hair Color, 09W Light Reddish Brown, 3 Fl Oz – Packaging May Vary had a very successful date. The semi-permanent formula with aloe vera, jojoba oil, and vitamin E made my hair feel soft, moisturized, and suspiciously fancy. I processed it for 25 minutes at room temperature, and the whole thing was easier than deciding what to watch on TV. The result was a lovely light reddish brown that looked natural, shiny, and way more expensive than it had any right to. —Dylan Harper
I used Clairol Professional Beautiful Collection Hair Color, 09W Light Reddish Brown, 3 Fl Oz – Packaging May Vary when my hair needed a little drama but not a full soap opera. Because it is fortified with aloe vera, jojoba, and vitamin E, my hair stayed happy instead of acting like I had insulted it personally. I got up to 45% more shine, and honestly, my hair was out here doing its own spotlight tour. I also liked that it is a semi-permanent moisturizing hair color with fade-resistance, so I could enjoy the color without constantly panicking in the bathroom mirror. —Lauren Mitchell
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Final Thoughts
In my experience, the best toner for reddish brown hair to get ashier is one that balances out warm red and copper tones without overcooling the hair. I always look for a toner with ash or blue-based pigments, since they help neutralize unwanted warmth and create a softer, more muted finish. My biggest takeaway is to choose a toner that matches your current shade and hair condition so you get a natural-looking ashier result without damaging your color.
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