Wella Colorcharm Permanent Liquid Toner is a permanent demi-permanent color corrector applied after lightening to shift brass toward cooler or warmer tones, depending on the shade.
It only deposits color where the hair is already light enough to accept it, which means pre-lightening to pale lemonade yellow comes first.
The mix ratio is 1 part toner to 2 parts developer, and you develop for up to 30 minutes, checking every 5 to 10 minutes.
Pre-Lighten the Hair
Toner only deposits color where the hair is already light enough to take it, which means pre-lightening to the required level comes first.
Both the Wella professional instructions and the Ulta product page make this clear: lift the hair before you mix or apply anything.
I’ve found reviewers split cleanly on how light is light enough. Hair bleached to a pale lemonade yellow accepts the toner and shifts toward the cooler tone you picked.
Hair bleached only to copper or a warm golden stage does not lighten further, and the toner either stains unevenly or does nothing at all.
If you stop at brass, you get brass with a tint on top. Lift it properly and the toner has something to work with.
Mix Toner and Developer
Mix Toner and Developer
The ratio is 1 part Wella Colorcharm Permanent Liquid Toner to 2 parts Wella Colorcharm developer. You have two volume options: 10-volume holds your hair at the same depth or takes it darker with almost no lift, while 20-volume lifts 1–2 levels.
Most people mixing T18 (lightest ash blonde) reach for 20-volume crème developer if they want that extra brightness.
The scent once the two are combined is strong.
I mean it: mix this in a room with a window open or a fan running, because the smell will sit in your nose for the full 30 minutes you’re working with it.
A reviewer who mixed T18 with 20-volume developer flagged this specifically, and she’s right. Ventilation makes the whole process tolerable.
Apply and Develop
- Apply the mixed toner to towel-dried hair, working it through evenly from roots to ends.
- Develop for up to 30 minutes, checking every 5 to 10 minutes for the result you want. The mix can look violet or lavender on the hair while it processes, which is normal.
- Check frequently. I find this step matters more than the clock, since hair lifts at different rates and leaving it on too long can dry the tips.
- Rinse thoroughly once you reach the tone you’re after. One reviewer notes the color looked fully even after about 2 washes, so expect the finish to settle over the first few days.
What Wella Toner Does for Brass
Wella Colorcharm Permanent Liquid Toner corrects brass after lightening, and it can neutralize or enhance warm and cool tones depending on the shade. It’s quick enough to use at home.
The range covers warm, cool and pastel options: T05, T10, T11, T14, T15, T18, T19, T27, T28, T30, T35 and T81. T27 Medium Beige Blonde is 1.4 oz at $7.99, and the formula is vegan and free of parabens.
The breakage claim comes with a qualifier: up to 90% less breakage compares toner plus lightener against lightener alone. I read that as a point about the pairing, not a promise that toner repairs hair.
Hair colorants can cause severe allergic reactions, and they never belong on eyelashes or eyebrows.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is toner for blonde hair?
Toner is a liquid color you apply after lightening to correct brassy, yellow or orange tones.
Depending on the shade, it can cancel warmth or boost a warm or cool tone. Wella Colorcharm Permanent Liquid Toner is mixed with developer and works only on hair that has already been lifted to a pale yellow stage.
What undertone is T27?
Wella sells T27 as Medium Beige Blonde, so it sits in the beige family.
Undertone is hard to judge from the shade number alone, so check the swatch on the box before you buy. A 1.4 oz tube runs $7.99.
Can you put a darker toner on blonde hair?
Yes, but the developer decides how much the level changes.
10-volume keeps your depth or goes slightly darker with almost no lift, while 20-volume lifts 1–2 levels. If you want a deeper result, use 10-volume and still start from hair that is lightened enough to take the color.
