--- title: "Toning at Timba Cardiff | INsight INtech Colour" description: "Professional toning at Timba, Cardiff, from £40. Refine tone, neutralise brassiness or enhance reflects using INsight INtech Colour." canonical: "https://www.timbahair.com/services/toning" --- ![Icy silver blonde lob with cool-toned ribbons and soft waves at the ends.](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Fplatinum-blonde-wavy-bob-backview.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a63441344848e6394b4cfb5%26v%3D1790851853726&w=3840&q=75&dpl=dpl_G3HMrpiZhwUsMjfKEQ55jBoi46nz)![](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Fplatinum-blonde-wavy-bob-backview.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a63441344848e6394b4cfb5%26v%3D1790851853726&w=3840&q=75&dpl=dpl_G3HMrpiZhwUsMjfKEQ55jBoi46nz) Colouring # Toning From £40 From 45 mins [Book Online](https://book.thesalon.app/salons/5d037f92-0091-4453-941b-88ca6bf28bb5/book?service=33cc9e72fd00cf13f3affbb8) Toning is a targeted colour service for hair that has already been lightened or coloured, designed to fine-tune the finished shade rather than change its level. At Timba in Cardiff, it's carried out using **INsight INtech Colour**, and typically takes from 45 minutes with pricing from £40 depending on the formula and hair length. ## What Toning Involves Toning refines existing colour by neutralising unwanted warmth or building in specific reflects. The process generally follows a structured approach: - **Analysis** of your current colour level, tone, porosity and condition - Application of a **tailored toner** on damp, towel-dried or clean dry hair, depending on the formula - A relatively short processing time, usually **10 to 20 minutes**, with visual checks throughout - Thorough rinsing followed by **colour-safe shampoo and conditioner** to help lock in the result Toners can be oxidative (mixed with a developer for a lasting result) or non-oxidative, using direct pigments mixed with a mask for a more customised, often gentler finish. ## Who Toning Suits This service is best suited to hair that's already been lightened or previously coloured. Toning cannot replace a full lightening process, so if you're after a significant colour change, a lightening service would need to come first. - Clients wanting to **neutralise brassiness** after lightening - Anyone looking to **enhance or refine reflects**, such as ash, beige, pearl or copper - Those chasing **pastel or fashion tones**, where the hair is already light enough to support them - Corrective work, such as softening banding or balancing uneven tone across the hair Our colour expert Ceri O'Brien, alongside the wider styling team, will assess your hair's condition and porosity before recommending the right formula. ## Aftercare and Maintenance Toned hair, especially cool blondes and pastels, needs a bit of extra care to keep the colour looking fresh: - Use **sulphate-free or colour-safe shampoo** and wash with cooler water where possible - Avoid **strong clarifying shampoos**, high-strength home remedies, or excessive sun and chlorine exposure - Limit washing frequency and use masks or conditioners regularly to maintain shine - Book **regular top-up appointments**, as cool or pastel tones fade faster than softer, neutral results ## Good to Know - A **strand test** and visual monitoring during processing help avoid over-darkening or over-cooling, particularly on freshly bleached hair - Very porous hair processes colour faster but can also lose it more quickly - Patch testing is recommended for oxidative colour products, especially for new clients - Realistic expectations matter: very dark or warm hair may need further lightening before certain cool or pastel tones are achievable [Book Online](https://book.thesalon.app/salons/5d037f92-0091-4453-941b-88ca6bf28bb5/book?service=33cc9e72fd00cf13f3affbb8) ## Frequently Asked Questions What is toning and how is it different from a full colour service? Toning refines the shade of hair that's already been lightened or coloured, neutralising warmth or adding reflects, rather than changing the hair's overall level. It's a shorter, more targeted process than a full colour or lightening service. How long does a toning appointment take? At Timba, toning takes from 45 minutes, though this can vary depending on your hair's condition, length and the formula used. How much does toning cost? Toning at Timba starts from £40, with the final price depending on the type of toner and how much hair needs treating. Can toning lighten my hair or fix dark hair to blonde? No, toning cannot replace lightening. Your hair needs to already be lightened or coloured to a suitable level, as toner refines tone rather than changing depth. How long does a toner last? This depends on the formula and your hair's porosity. Cool, ash or pastel tones tend to fade faster and need more frequent top-ups than softer, neutral results. What aftercare is needed after toning? Use sulphate-free or colour-safe shampoo, wash with cooler water, and avoid strong clarifying shampoos or excessive sun and chlorine exposure to help the tone last longer. Is a patch test needed before toning? Patch tests are recommended for oxidative colour products, particularly for new clients or anyone with a history of scalp sensitivity or allergies. Will toning work on very porous or damaged hair? Yes, but porous hair processes colour more quickly and can also lose tone faster, so your stylist may adjust the formula or processing time to suit your hair's condition. [Book Online](https://book.thesalon.app/salons/5d037f92-0091-4453-941b-88ca6bf28bb5/book?service=33cc9e72fd00cf13f3affbb8) ## Available Team Members These team members perform this service - ![Smiling stylist trims wet, shoulder-length hair with comb and scissors in a salon](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Fozyy-creative-director-timba-96x113.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a63441344848e6394b4cfb5%26v%3D1788530799871&w=96&q=75&dpl=dpl_G3HMrpiZhwUsMjfKEQ55jBoi46nz) Geraint Osborne Creative Director [View](/team-members/geraint-osborne) - ![Hair stylist applying foil highlights to seated client's hair in a salon](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Fceri-colour-expert-timba-96x125.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a63441344848e6394b4cfb5%26v%3D1788530796855&w=96&q=75&dpl=dpl_G3HMrpiZhwUsMjfKEQ55jBoi46nz) Ceri O'Brien Colour Expert [View](/team-members/ceri-obrien) - ![Busy salon with stylists cutting two clients' hair at wooden-framed mirror stations](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Ftimba-salon-128x116.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a63441344848e6394b4cfb5%26v%3D1788530798206&w=128&q=75&dpl=dpl_G3HMrpiZhwUsMjfKEQ55jBoi46nz) Lucy Osborne Senior Stylist [View](/team-members/lucy-osborne) - ![Blonde stylist wearing glasses trims a seated client's wet hair with scissors in a salon](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Femma-senior-stylist-timba2-96x128.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a63441344848e6394b4cfb5%26v%3D1788530798963&w=96&q=75&dpl=dpl_G3HMrpiZhwUsMjfKEQ55jBoi46nz) Emma Stokes Senior Stylist [View](/team-members/emma-stokes) - ![Smiling hairstylist combs a seated client's wet hair in a modern salon](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Fchloe-stylist-timba-96x128.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a63441344848e6394b4cfb5%26v%3D1788530794933&w=96&q=75&dpl=dpl_G3HMrpiZhwUsMjfKEQ55jBoi46nz) Chloe Phillips Stylist [View](/team-members/chloe-phillips) ## Related Services Complete your experience with these services - Full Head Tint £70–£88•From 90 mins [View](/services/full-head-tint) - Half Head Regrowth Tint £36–£42•From 60 mins [View](/services/half-head-regrowth-tint) - Demi Colour £52–£61•From 60 mins [View](/services/demi-colour) - Root Colour £57–£65•From 75 mins [View](/services/root-colour) Show more services - Roots and Colour Refresh £83–£98•From 90 mins [View](/services/roots-and-colour-refresh) - Root Smudge From £40•From 30 mins [View](/services/root-smudge) - Scalp Lightener with Toner and Peptide Protection From £128•From 105 mins [View](/services/scalp-lightener-including-toning-and-peptide-treatment) - Scalp Lightener with Peptide Protection £73–£88•From 90 mins [View](/services/scalp-lightener-including-peptide-protection) - Money Piece From £64•From 60 mins [View](/services/money-piece) - Gloss Toner Up to £40•Up to 45 mins [View](/services/gloss-toner-insight) - Partial Foils From £52•75–90 mins [View](/services/partial-foils) - Half Head Foils From £78•90–105 mins [View](/services/half-head-foils) - Full Head Foils From £104•105–135 mins [View](/services/full-head-foils) - Vivid Toner (Elumen) £30–£55•From 60 mins [View](/services/vivid-toner) - Full Head Vivid Tint (Elumen) £87–£102•From 75 mins [View](/services/full-head-vivid-tint) - Vivid Root Tint (Elumen) £72–£77•From 75 mins [View](/services/vivid-root-tint) - Partial Vivid Colour Foils (Elumen) From £50•From 60 mins [View](/services/partial-vivid-foils) - Vivid Lock-In Treatment (Elumen) From 15 mins [View](/services/vivid-lock-in-treatment) - Half Head Vivid Colour Foils (Elumen) From £72•75–90 mins [View](/services/half-head-vivid-foils) - Full Head Vivid Colour Foils (Elumen) From £95•90–105 mins [View](/services/full-head-vivid-foils)