Cosmetic permanent makeup aside, Toner Add On vs Gloss: Which Neutralizes Brass Better?
By Urban Hue and Tattoo | June 7, 2026
Serving Sioux Falls, Brandon, Tea, Hartford, Harrisburg, and Crooks | Find us near Marion Road and 57th Street South
We see this all the time after a fresh highlight session: you love the new look, then a hint of yellow or orange starts peeking through. If you need targeted brass neutralizing right after lightening, a Toner Add On is usually the better tool. If your hair mostly looks “fine” and you want shine, softness, and a gentle tone refresh, a gloss (glaze) tends to make more sense. In Sioux Falls, summer sun and pool time can turn blonde and brunette highlights warm fast, so knowing the difference saves you time and prevents that cycle of redoing color before you actually need to.
Toner Add On vs gloss, what we’re actually putting on your hair
A Toner Add On is a quick toner application we do during an existing color service, especially after lifting (highlights, balayage, blonding). Its job is specific: neutralize unwanted warmth and fine-tune the shade you’re seeing at the bowl and under our lights. Ours is 10 minutes and $25, so it’s meant to be fast and focused, not a whole new appointment.
A gloss (sometimes called a glaze) is more about shine and smoothing the cuticle with a soft deposit of tone. Gloss can be a great choice when your color is close, but feels a little dull, or you want that “just colored” shine without needing strong correction. We’re fans of glosses for maintenance, but we’re also honest: a gloss won’t do the heavy lifting if your blonde is truly brassy.
Quick rule we use in the chair: If you’re seeing obvious yellow, orange, or “brass bands” after lightening, toner is the move. If you’re chasing shine and a subtle shift, gloss fits.
The real trade-offs: brass correction, shine, longevity, and maintenance
If your goal is neutralizing brass, toner wins because that’s what it’s designed to do after lifting. When hair is lightened, the underlying warm pigment shows up. Toner lets us correct that warmth so your blonde looks cleaner, your beige looks more balanced, and your brunette highlights don’t pull orange.
Gloss wins when you want shine and a softer feel. A good gloss can make hair look healthier and more reflective, especially when you’re in that phase where your color still looks good, it just looks tired. And yes, some glosses add a whisper of tone. It’s just not the same kind of correction you get from a toner applied with post-lightening in mind.
Longevity depends on your hair’s porosity, how light you went, and how you wash. In general, toner correction tends to hold for several washes, then warmth slowly returns. Gloss shine can fade a bit faster, which is why people often refresh it more frequently. Sioux Falls weather plays a part too. Dry winter air, hard water, and summer sun can all change how long that “just left the salon” tone stays true.
What we pay attention to at Urban Hue and Tattoo is how you want your hair to behave after you leave. People tell us they appreciate that we’re quick and precise and that we listen and execute, especially when they don’t have time for a long add-on that doesn’t really solve the problem. If you’re nervous because it’s been years since you’ve had your hair done, we slow the conversation down, explain what we’re doing, and keep it simple.
"My hair looks so good, Kelisha listens to your requests and executes them perfectly while also leaving you with healthy hair. Beyond happy with my hair!"
, one of our regulars
Pick Toner Add On if you need a fast fix today. Pick gloss if you want shine.
A Toner Add On fits you if you’re leaving a highlights or balayage appointment and you can already see the warmth you don’t want. It’s also a smart move after a summer of outdoor time or pool days when blonde starts reading yellow. And if you’re commuting through the Marion Road and 57th Street South area, it’s an easy add-on that doesn’t turn into a whole extra visit.
A gloss is often the better pick when you’re happy with your overall level, you just want more reflect and softness, or you want a low-key refresh between bigger color appointments. If you’re trying to correct strong brass, a gloss can leave you annoyed because it’s pretty, but not corrective enough.
If you’re deciding in 30 seconds
- Toner Add On: obvious brass after lifting, you want cooler or more balanced tone, quick add-on during your color service.
- Gloss: color is close, you want shine and softness, you’re maintaining between bigger services.
Why Toner Add On is a favorite at our Marion Road Sioux Falls studio (and how to book it)
People come to us for hair color because they want results that match what they pictured. They also want the appointment to feel straightforward. We hear a lot of versions of “I always leave happy, ” and we take that seriously. We keep your Toner Add On simple: we look at where the warmth is showing, talk through the tone you’re after, then apply the toner as a 10-minute, $25 add-on to clean things up before you walk out the door.
And because we’re right off the Marion Road corridor near 57th Street South, it’s easy to swing in for your regular color service without carving out extra hours. If you’re coming in from Brandon, Tea, Hartford, Harrisburg, or Crooks, this is one of those small add-ons that saves you from over-toning at home and chasing brass all month.
"Love what a great job she does with my hair, the color is exactly what I wanted, she is also quick and precise with what she doesn’t take as much time, which is really helpful to me since I don’t have much time. Great quality work!! Will recommend her to anyone looking for a new hairstylist."
, a recent visitor
Want us to choose for you? When you book your color service, tell us what you’re seeing (yellow, orange, too warm, too dull) and what you want (cooler, beige, brighter, softer). We’ll tell you straight if a Toner Add On is the right fix or if a gloss makes more sense that day.
Helpful reads before your appointment: brassy hair and Toner Add On, how long Toner Add On lasts, and Toner Add On aftercare for the first week.
Address: 1809 S Marion Rd Unit 102, Sioux Falls, SD 57106 | Call: +16052541160 | Email: cbstudio21@gmail.com
Quick FAQs we answer every week in Sioux Falls
What’s the difference between a Toner Add On and a full toner service?
Our Toner Add On is meant to be exactly that, an add-on to a color service you’re already doing, like highlights or balayage. It’s quick (10 minutes) and focused on neutralizing brass or shifting tone right then. A full toner service takes more time and is used when toner is the main event, not the finishing step.
Can I get a Toner Add On the same day as highlights or balayage?
Yes. That’s the point of the add-on. We apply it during your existing color appointment to refine the tone after lifting.
How long will a Toner Add On keep my hair from going brassy?
It usually holds through several washes, but it depends on how porous your hair is after lightening and your at-home routine. If your hair grabs warmth fast, we’ll talk about maintenance so you’re not fighting brass week two.
Is purple shampoo a good replacement for a salon Toner Add On?
Purple shampoo can help with mild yellow tones, especially on lighter blondes, but it’s not a true replacement for a toner applied after bleaching. It’s easy to overdo at home and end up dull, uneven, or violet in spots. We prefer purple shampoo as maintenance after we’ve corrected the tone in the chair.
Will a Toner Add On make my hair feel dryer or damage it?
Toner is formulated to be used after lightening, but your hair’s condition still matters. If your hair is feeling stressed, we’ll choose an approach that keeps your tone looking good without pushing your hair past what it can handle. A lot of people specifically tell us they leave with hair that still feels healthy, and that’s always the goal.
What do you mean by “permanent cosmetics” at Urban Hue and Tattoo?
Permanent cosmetics is another term people use for services like cosmetic tattooing and permanent makeup. If you’re here for hair color, you’re in the right place. If you’re also curious about permanent cosmetics, ask us about what’s available when you’re in.
Do you do permanent makeup?
Yes, we do permanent makeup services. If you’re comparing hair and brow updates at the same time, let us know what you’re thinking and we’ll help you plan timing.
How do permanent makeup pigments work?
Permanent makeup pigments are designed to heal into the skin as a softened, natural-looking result. Pigment choice and technique both matter a lot for how it heals and fades. If you want specifics for your skin and goals, we’ll walk through options during a consult.
Is “perm makeup” the same thing as permanent makeup?
Yes. “Perm makeup” is just shorthand people use online for permanent makeup.
