When coloring or toning hair, an important question is whether to apply the product to wet or dry hair. Wella Color Tango is a popular toner used to remove brassiness and adjust the tone of colored hair. Many people wonder if it should be used on wet or dry hair to achieve the best results.
Should You Apply Wella Color Tango to Wet or Dry Hair?
The simple answer is that Wella Color Tango, like most toners, works best on clean, towel-dried hair. Applying it to soaking wet hair dilutes the toner, making it less effective. Using it on completely dry hair can make application uneven and lead to an uneven result.
Here’s a more in-depth look at the pros and cons of using Wella Color Tango on wet versus dry hair:
Applying to Wet Hair
Some stylists recommend applying toner to freshly shampooed, towel-dried hair because:
– The cuticle is more open, allowing better toner penetration
– It avoids overlapping and uneven application from dry ends absorbing more product
– The toner spreads evenly and can be blended well through wet hair
However, there are some downsides to using Wella Color Tango on soaking wet hair:
– Very wet hair dilutes the toner, making it less effective at neutralizing brassiness
– It can lead to spotty, uneven results if the hair is not evenly saturated
– Toner color may appear darker on wet hair versus dry hair
Applying to Dry Hair
There are advantages to applying Wella Color Tango to clean, fully dried hair:
– No dilution from water, so the toner is stronger and more effective
– Easier to see where toner has been applied versus wet hair
– The true toner result is visible as you apply it
The potential cons include:
– Overlapping can lead to uneven spots if application isn’t careful
– Dry ends may absorb more product and tone more intensely
– Hair porosity differences can lead to uneven results
– Can be more difficult to evenly distribute through dry hair
Best Practice for Using Wella Color Tango
Most professional colorists recommend applying Wella Color Tango to clean, towel-dried hair that has been roughly dried after shampooing. Here are some best practices:
– Shampoo and towel dry hair after coloring until there is no dripping water
– Use a wide-tooth comb to distribute Wella Color Tango evenly from roots to ends
– Work in small sections to ensure even, thorough application
– Process according to manufacturer directions based on desired results
– Rinse with cool water and follow with recommended conditioner
This allows maximum toner effectiveness without too much dilution from water. Sectioning hair allows the product to penetrate and deposit color evenly from roots to ends.
What Results to Expect with Wet vs Dry Application
You can expect some subtle differences in your toner results depending on whether you apply it to wet or dry hair:
Wet Hair Application
– More subtle, blended, soft result
– Toner absorption not as strong
– Lighter, more translucent color result
– Dilution leads to shorter lasting results
Dry Hair Application
– More vivid, intense color result
– Longer lasting result with better toner penetration
– Truer to toner sample swatch result
– More potential for uneven spots if applied poorly
In general, dry hair allows better accuracy and intensity, while wet hair provides a softer finish. Combine with the level of dilution and porosity of your hair to anticipate the final look.
How Porosity Affects Wella Color Tango Application
The porosity, or ability to absorb moisture, of your hair also plays a role in how Wella Color Tango deposits on wet versus dry hair.
Here is how porosity influences application:
Low Porosity Hair
– Can be more difficult for toner to penetrate the cuticle
– Works best applied to damp hair for cuticle swelling
– May require longer processing time for full toner result
High Porosity Hair
– Absorbs toner quickly and intensely
– Works well on both damp or dry hair
– Has higher risk of uneven spotting if applied to dry hair
– Needs less processing time
Normal Porosity Hair
– Achieves good toner penetration on damp or dry hair
– Processing time as directed on the box
Knowing your hair porosity can help guide the best application method.
How to Tell If Your Hair is Wet, Damp or Dry
Being able to identify whether your hair is wet, damp or dry ensures you get the application right for optimal Color Tango results:
Wet Hair
– Still dripping wet from the shower or sink
– Makes squishing sounds when you squeeze it
– Darkened in appearance from all the water
Damp Hair
– Towel-dried but still feels moist and cool to the touch
– No longer dripping wet but not fully dry
– Doesn’t make squishing sounds when squeezed
Dry Hair
– Completely air dried or blow dried until no dampness remains
– Smooth, light feel when you run your fingers through it
– No longer cool to the touch, feels to room temperature
Identifying where your hair falls on the wetness spectrum ensures you get the application method right. Damp, towel-dried hair without dripping water is ideal for Wella Color Tango application.
Tips for Applying Wella Color Tango
To get your best Wella Color Tango results on damp, towel dried hair, follow these pro tips:
– Shampoo, towel dry, and detangle hair before application
– Use a tint brush and bowl to mix the toner
– Work in 1/4 inch sections, saturating hair from roots to ends
– Time according to manufacturer directions based on desired deposit
– Rinse hair with cool water after processing to close the cuticle
– Follow with a conditioning or toning mask for added shine and sealing
Proper sectioning, saturation, timing, rinsing, and conditioning leads to beautiful, even Color Tango results.
What Volume Developer to Use with Wella Color Tango
Wella Color Tango comes packaged with a 20 volume cream developer. However, you can use the following developer volumes to customize the results:
| Developer Volume | Result |
| 10 Vol | Subtle toning on natural hair |
| 20 Vol (standard) | Regular toning and color correction |
| 30 Vol | Maximum toning and lifting on lightened hair |
| 40 Vol | Major color correction and lifting |
Higher developer volumes cause more cuticle swelling for greater toner penetration, but also increase damage risk. 20 volume provides reliable toning that you can customize as needed.
Can You Apply Wella Color Tango to Dry Unwashed Hair?
It is not recommended to apply Wella Color Tango directly to dry, unwashed hair. For best results, hair should always be clean before applying toner.
Reasons to avoid applying it to dry, dirty hair:
– Product buildup can block cuticle penetration
– Oils and debris can lead to uneven toning
– Pre-lightening is ineffective through dirt, oil and residue
– Can increase damage from overlapping and over-processing
Always shampoo and dry hair before toner application. This allows even saturation and predictable results.
Should You Tone Wet or Dry Bleached Hair?
On bleached and lightened hair, most colorists recommend toning on dry, unwashed hair about 48 hours after lightening.
Here’s why this gives the best toner results on bleached hair:
– Skipping a wash avoids extra moisture that can dilute toner results
– The cuticle is still slightly open from lightening for better toner penetration
– True level and underlying pigment is visible dry before toning adjusted
– Optimizes the toner’s ability to neutralize brassiness
– Results last longer with better sealing and no washout
However, you can also tone immediately after bleaching wet hair for convenience with a subtle result. Just avoid shampooing for stronger deposit.
What Are the Best Wella Toners for Brassiness?
If your goal is to combat brassiness and orange tones, these are some of the best Wella Color Tango toners to use:
Silver Lady Toner
– Violet base neutralizes golden/orange tones
– Works best on pale yellow levels 8-10
– Provides an ash, silver finish
Beige Lady Toner
– Countsacts brassiness in darker level 6-7 blond
– Ash beige base for touch of warmth
– Great for avoiding a flat, icy look
White Lady Toner
– Blue-violet toner perfect for very light levels 9-10
– Neutralizes yellow bands perfectly for icy finish
– Avoid on darker blondes to prevent over-ashing
Soft Black Toner 01
– Black-blue base ideal for toning highlight bands
– Darkens hair while ashifying to tone brassiness
– Adds smoky dimension to black vs flat opaque
Using the right undertone and level is key for brassiness. Consult a pro if unsure.
What Are the Best Wella Toners for Color Correcting?
If you need to correct or adjust the tone of colored hair besides blonde, these are some of the top Wella Color Tango toners:
Red Lady Toner
– Deep blue-red toner
– Neutralizes green and adds warmth to brown hair
– Boosts faded red shades
Intense Red Toner
– Pigmented, vivid red
– Removes green cast from faded red hair
– Adds major vibrancy back to red and copper
Silver Shimmer Toner
– Sheer silver-violet toner
– Tones down ruddiness and brassiness in gray hair
– Provides shimmery finish
Soft Black 01 Toner
– Dark black-blue toner
– Corrects red tones in black hair
– Adds cool jet dimension to black vs warm
Consulting a professional helps match the right Color Tango shade to your color correction needs.
What Level of Developer Should I Use with Wella Toner?
Most professionals recommend using a 20 volume cream developer with Wella Color Tango toner. However, you can adjust the developer to customize results:
| Developer Volume | Best For |
| 10 Volume | Fine hair that needs subtle toning |
| 20 Volume | Regular toning and color correction |
| 30 Volume | Toners used for major lifting and lightening |
| 40 Volume | Specialty toning requiring major lift |
Higher volumes allow greater lift but also increase damage. 20 volume works for most toning needs.
Does Wella Toner Damage Hair?
Wella Color Tango contains lower levels of ammonia and peroxide compared to permanent color. When used correctly, toner causes minimal damage:
– Far less abrasive to cuticle than high-lift lightener
– Does not dramatically swell or rupture cuticle
– Gentler ingredients and lower peroxide levels
– Designed for subtle staining rather than major lifting
However, some risks include:
– Overlapping and over-processing can cause dryness
– Higher volumes of peroxide increase damage
– Multiple, frequent toner applications weaken hair over time
– Heat styling and other processing causes toner fade
Using the recommended developer volume and avoiding over-use limits toner damage. Deep conditioning and protective styling maintain tone and shine.
Conclusion
Wella Color Tango works best applied to clean, towel-dried damp hair for optimal results. While wet or dry application is possible, damp hair allows the toner to deposit evenly without excess dilution. Proper application techniques enhance the final look. Consulting a colorist helps match the right Wella toner to your goals for beautiful, multi-dimensional color results. With some care to prevent damage, Color Tango provides a gorgeous and customizable way to tone hair.