10 or 20 Volume Developer for Toner Blonde Hair: My Honest Take
10 or 20 Volume Developer for Toner Blonde Hair
Great, you have bleached your hair, and now it’s looking like banana peels. Now you want to use toner but are confused about which developer you should use with toner, 10 volume developer or 20 volume developer.
Don’t worry; I have also been there. Today, I will guide you in detail on which volume developer is right for you.
Let’s understand what exactly developers do.
Developers are like an engine for your hair. It opens hair cuticles (the outer layer of your hair) so that toner can penetrate inside.
- 10 volume developer: low volume and slow and gentle.
- 20 volume developer: high volume, it works fast and strong.
For toner, your objective is not to turn hair from brown to blond. We just want to add a cool and shiny shade to your existing blonde hair.
10 volume developer: It is like a safe friend
If you are afraid of frying your hair, you should choose a 10 volume developer, as it is low volume and slow and gentle as well, whereas 20 volume developer is fast and strong.
Why you should choose 10 volume developer
- 10 volume won’t lift the color. It just deposits the color.
- If you already have damaged or thin hair, you must choose 10 volume.
- As it is low volume, you can leave it for a longer time without panic.
10 volume works best when you have blonde hair, but it looks brassy (yellow or too orange). It works like a charm on highlighted hair or dirty blonde.
20 volume developer: Strong and Risky
20 volume developer is stronger than 10 volume. It also deposits the color, but it also lifts the color by 1 or 2 shades. If you want to lift your color, then 20 volume is a good choice.
Why you should choose 20 volume developer
- It covers stubborn gray hair better than 10 volume developer.
- It helps the toner last long to stay long on stubborn hair.
Warning: If you already have light blond hair or silver, 20 volume developer may cause it to become excessively dark. Instead of beautiful golden hair, your hair could turn purple or brown.
If I use toner on black or dark brown hair?
If you have dark brown or black hair, using toner alone won’t do much. You need to use bleach first to lift the dark color to blonde. Once you make your hair blonde from dark hair, then use toner with either 10 or 20 volume developer. Only then toner work best.
Mistakes you must avoid
Mostly women make these mistakes. Please avoid these.
- Avoid using 20 volume developer on fragile and damaged hair. 10 volume work best with toner
- If you have healthy hair, you can go with 20 volume, but don’t leave it for too long.
- Don’t shake the bottle of 20 volume developer, as shaking creates bubble which makes your toner look patchy. Instead, gently stir it with a spoon.
- Already have a blonde or silver color; do not use 20 volume. You will end up getting an orange color near the scalp.
- Don’t skip the strand test—clip a small section of hair from underneath. Test developer there first.
- Avoid leaving toner for too long – keeping toner on hair for 15 to 20 minutes is enough.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
- Can I use 10 volume developer with any toner brand?
Yes, you can. Check the instructions on the box. 10 volume is a universal standard for blonde hair, and it can work perfectly with all toner brands available in the market.
- Will my hair be more damaged with 20 volume than 10 volume?
Yes. The 20 volume contains more peroxide than the 10 volume. If your hair is damaged or fragile, you should choose a 10 volume developer, as 20 volume dries out the hair much faster.
- How long should I leave the toner on with 10 volume?
Usually, 15 to 20 minutes is plenty. After 10 minutes, keep checking in every 5 minutes, as timing is very important here; keeping it longer can give you different results.
- My hair is black. Can I still use a blonde toner before bleach?
No, first you need to bleach your hair to a pale yellow level and then use toner with 10 volume developer. Toner alone won’t lighten your dark hair.
- What will happen if I use 20 volume on very fine blonde hair?
If you have fine hair and are using 20 volume, you can experience hair breakage, or your hair can turn to a muddy-purple color, as fine hair is porous. It absorbs the developer quite fast, so for fine hair, you should choose 10 volume developer.
Conclusion
Don’t get confused. If you already have blonde hair, choose 10 volume developer without worry, as it is gentle and safe, and it delivers a salon-quality shade without any hassle.
And if you want to use toner with 20 volume developer, first you need to be sure that you have healthy, strong hair.
Always remember, a 10 or 20 volume developer for toner blonde hair is only for blonde bases. But if you have black or dark brown hair, then first bleach it to make it lighter and then use toner.
I think you understand when to use toner with 10 volume or when to use it with 20 volume.