How To Formulate Toners For Honey Blonde (2024)

Last updated: February 21, 2023

Photo Credit: Instagram via @romeufelipe

Before Your Client Requests A Warm Honey Blonde, Read This!

Clients FINALLY want to see warmth: that’s right! You’ll need to balance golden tones (without brass!) fill those high-lift clients and take the eight formulas below to the color bar.

Every shade of honey blonde and teddy bear blonde have been the top requests of 2023, so we tapped our industry besties for their must-have tips for creating this trendy look. Keep scrolling!

The Ideal Client:

According to celebrity stylist and Olaplex ambassador Bianca Hillier (@biancacolour), this color is great for, “Any client that wants to see blonde, feel natural and isn’t afraid to show that they’re paying for it.” She adds that, “This technique is perfect for any blonde who wants to go slightly darker and switch up the tone while still keeping moments of light.”

Lastly, she recommends this look for a natural Level 5 or 6 base (or lighter.) Here’s why: “Once you get into the dark-brown-base territory it will require much higher maintenance, as well as look much more ‘done’ and less natural,” Bianca explains.

Photo Credit: Instagram via @mylizzle by @biancacolour

For clients that want a brighter, more blonde-looking color,Miami salon ownerandcelebrity stylist Derek Cash (@derekcashstyles) prefers to lift to a Level 8 and then apply toner. That’s exactly what his client and rapperTay Moneyrequested:

Pro Tip: For any client above a Level 8, Derek recommends filling the hair first before adding any honey tones.

Photo Credit: Instagram via @derekcashstyles

Avoid This Mistake: “Since we want to keep the warmth in the hair, I never lift past a Level 9 (yellow). The hair will fade better and stay healthy,” advises BTC Team Member and Denver-based salon owner Mick Lewis (@hairbymickk).

Photo Credit: Instagram via @hairbymickk

Formulation: Let’s Talk Toning!

What makes up a warm blonde, honey blonde or teddy bear blonde? Check out what each of our experts had to say:

When working with a client with naturally warm hair, Mick swears by this rule: “I like to make sure that the toner we use is equally as warm as the base.” For the perfect honey blonde, Mick formulates the following gloss:

PS: Tap the beaker for every formula to achieve the look!

• Formula A (shadow root): Redken Shades EQ equal parts 6GB + 6N + Shades EQ Processing Solution
• Formula B (all-over toner): Shades EQ 40g 9AA + 15g 8C + Shades EQ Processing Solution

Photo Credit: Instagram via @hairbymickk on @quingable

To formulate a warm teddy bear blonde (which is a slightly darker tone than honey) Bianca notes that she’s not trying to cancel out any warmth, but wants a balanced tone. That’s why she uses a combination of formulas to keep a dimensional tone without overpowering warmth.

• Formula A (roots): Shades EQ 3/4 7N + 1/4 9NW + Shades EQ Processing Solution
• Formula B (mids): Shades EQ equal parts 7NW + 9G + Shades EQ Processing Solution
• Formula C (ends): Shades EQ equal parts 9G + 9NW + Shades EQ Processing Solution

To watch how Bianca strategically paints lightener on curls, press play!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bianca Hillier (@biancacolour)

Get Larisa Love’s color! Watch her full transformation below:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ Larisa Love™ (@larisadoll)

• Formula A (zone 1 toner): Joico Liquid Lumishine 10NG
• Formula B (zone 2 + 3 toner): Liquid Lumishine 6NW + 5NA

BONUS: Save These 8 Formulas For Later!

Tap the beaker for every formula to achieve the look!

1. Honey Blonde Curls

2. Warm, Honey Bronde

3. Madelyn Cline’s Golden Blonde + Lowlights

4. Golden Honey Bronde Teasylight Transformation

5. Alix Earle’s Warm, Golden Bronde

6. Warm, Dimensional Blonde

7. Golden Teddy Graham Blonde

8. Teddy Bear Blonde

Need more honey hair color inspo? Click here to check out our curated trend gallery of honey blondes and brondes!

UP NEXT: BTC’s 2023 Hair Color Trend Forecast