Wella toners have gained popularity for their ability to perfect blonde shades. Toners work by neutralizing unwanted undertones in bleached hair, helping to create a more polished and professional look.
Choosing the right toner matters because it can mean the difference between a bright, icy blonde and a dull, brassy finish.
Proper toner selection helps correct brassiness and ensures the final color matches the desired result, whether that’s a cool ash blonde or a vibrant platinum shade.
T14 vs T18 Toners – Key Differences
Toners play a critical role in adjusting hair color after bleaching. Bleaching often reveals underlying pigments like yellow and orange, which create brassy or uneven tones.
Toners deposit semi-permanent color to neutralize those unwanted hues, resulting in a more balanced, professional finish.
Color theory drives how toners work. Certain colors naturally cancel each other out because they sit opposite on the color wheel.
Purple neutralizes yellow, while blue cancels out orange. Wella toners follow this principle, with specific formulas targeting different undertones to refine blonde shades.
T14 – Pale Ash Blonde
Wella T14 is a blue-based toner formulated to counteract orange tones in bleached hair.
Blue pigments work effectively against the warmth of orange, helping to create a cooler, more subdued blonde shade.
This toner produces a pale ash-blonde finish with subtle greyish undertones, making it ideal for those aiming for a soft, cool blonde look.
- Base Color: Blue – Ideal for neutralizing orange tones
- Undertones: Greyish and cool
- Result: Produces a cooler, ashier blonde finish
T14 works best on hair that has turned orange after bleaching, which often happens with darker natural hair colors.
For those seeking a subtle silver or muted blonde tone, the T14 delivers consistent results without an overly warm finish.
Combining T14 with other toners can enhance the grey or silver effect, adding more depth to the final shade.
T18 – Lightest Ash Blonde
Wella T18 is the go-to toner for achieving that lightest ash blonde look—perfect for banishing yellow tones after bleaching!
Wella T18 is a violet-based toner that targets yellow tones in bleached hair.
Violet pigments cancel out yellow because they sit opposite each other on the color wheel.
T18 produces an icy, platinum blonde finish, ideal for those looking for a lighter and brighter blonde tone.
- Base Color: Violet – Effective for canceling out yellow tones
- Undertones: Bright and cool
- Result: Creates an icy, platinum blonde finish
T18 works best on hair that has turned yellow after bleaching, which is common with lighter natural hair shades.
Those aiming for a clean, bright blonde without warm undertones often prefer T18.
Its violet base enhances brightness, making it ideal for platinum and white-blonde finishes.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Understanding the differences between T14 and T18 helps in achieving specific blonde results. The choice between T14 and T18 depends on the starting hair tone and the desired final look:
| Toner | Best For | Result | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|
| T14 | Orange tones | Cooler, ash-blonde with grey undertones | Muted, silver-blonde look |
| T18 | Yellow tones | Bright, icy blonde finish | Platinum and white-blonde shades |
Combining T14 and T18 can create a customized blonde tone. Mixing both toners balances out both orange and yellow tones, creating a more even and blended color.
For those seeking a balanced cool tone, a 50/50 mix of T14 and T18 can create a soft silver blonde with icy brightness.
How to Choose the Right Toner
Selecting the right toner depends on the starting hair tone and the desired final color.
A precise assessment helps in achieving the ideal blonde shade, avoiding brassy or uneven results.
Proper toner selection helps in refining the tone and creating a more polished look.
Hair’s Starting Tone
Identifying the starting tone makes toner selection easier and more effective. Bleached hair tends to reveal underlying pigments that range from yellow to orange, depending on the natural hair color and the degree of lift.
Orange and copper tones require a different approach compared to yellow tones.
- Brassy orange tones → Use T14 to neutralize orange with its blue base.
- Brassy yellow tones → Use T18 to cancel out yellow with its violet base.
Wella T14 is most effective on darker hair that has lifted to a brassy orange hue. The blue base of T14 cancels out the warm orange tones, leaving behind a cooler, ash-blonde finish.
Wella T18 works better on lighter hair that has lifted to a pale yellow. The violet base of T18 removes the yellow tones, resulting in a bright, icy blonde.
Desired Final Look
Desired final tone plays a significant role in toner selection. Some prefer a cooler, silver-blonde shade, while others aim for a bright platinum finish.
- Ashy, silver-blonde → Use T14 to achieve a soft, grey-toned blonde.
- Icy, platinum blonde → Use T18 for a brighter, white-blonde effect.
Those aiming for a muted, subtle silver effect benefit most from T14, as the blue base provides coolness and depth.
T18 creates a more striking platinum finish, ideal for those looking for a lighter, more defined blonde tone.
Mixing Toners
Combining Wella T14 and T18 creates a balanced, custom blonde shade tailored to specific hair needs.
Mixing allows greater control over both tone and brightness, making it easier to correct uneven undertones or create more dimension.
- Grey blending → The mix softens both orange and yellow tones for a balanced, cooler blonde.
- Cooler tones → Combining blue and violet pigments ensures an even, cool-toned finish.
A common mix involves using equal parts of T14 and T18 to balance warmth and brightness. This combination works well for those aiming for a natural-looking blonde that isn’t overly silver or too bright.
Adjusting the ratio of T14 to T18 allows for more personalized results, depending on the starting tone and desired outcome.
The Bottom Line
Wella T14 and T18 offer targeted solutions for correcting brassy hair and refining blonde shades.
T14 works best for neutralizing orange tones and creating a cool, silver-blonde effect, while T18 excels at canceling out yellow tones for an icy platinum finish.
Experimenting with both toners, either separately or combined, allows for greater control over blonde shades and helps achieve a professional, polished result.