Toner Matrix (Color Sync and beyond): effects, palette, how to use

If you're considering buying Matrix toner, find out if it's worth it here.

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Reviewed byAdrianna Pydzińska

Verified by an expert

Reviewed by

Adrianna Pydzińska

Hairdresser and stylist

Adrianna is a hairdresser and stylist with many years of experience. She works in one of the prestigious salons in Poznań on a daily basis. On her expert blog www.fryzjada.pl she shares professional and practical tips (not only) for hairdressers.

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Toner Matrix (Color Sync and beyond): effects, palette, how to use

26 July, 2024

7 min

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Is Matrix toner for you? Explore the brand's most popular products and see what experts and people who have used them think.

Matrix hair toners: the most popular product lines

Neutral blonde

Matrix Total Results So Silver Color Obsessed Triple Power

4.9

Purpose: blonde and grey hair
Position: hair mask
Packaging: 200ml
Number of shades: 1

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Product description

The Matrix Total Results So Silver Color Obsessed Triple Power hair toner is a mask designed for blonde and grey hair. It simultaneously reduces unwanted highlights and conditions the hair. It contains a combination of sunflower oil and vitamin E, whichós inhibit the hairós ageing process. For best resultsóuse 1–2 times a week.

Pros and cons

Additional information

Matrix Color Sync Pre-bonded

This is by far the most popular line of Matrix toners - for both professional and home use. The Color Sync Pre-bonded range consists of as many as three products for different purposes. None of them have ammonia in their formulation.

Instant Effect

Matrix Color Sync Pre-bonded

Available in three versions to remove yellow, red and copper tones.

Type and consistency: cream
Effects: neutralization of base colors

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Product description

Hairdressers treat it as the first rescue. It neutralizes the shade of primary colors within 5 minutes. It works best after decolorization.

For Sensitized Hair

Matrix Color Sync Pre-bonded Acidic Toner

Ideal product for tone-on-tone coloring. Refreshes and cools the color. Protects the hair structure.

Type and consistency: cream
Durability: up to 8 washes
Effects: coloring, covers the first gray hairs

See price - notino See price - empik

Product description

A toner with an acidic pH. Does not split the hair cuticle. Designed for toning light blonde hair.

Vegan-Friendly

Matrix Color Sync Pre-bonded Alkaline Toner

The combination of Pre-bonded technology and Pre-blenden system allows for uniform color and tone-on-tone effect, as well as nourishes and strengthens hair.

Type and consistency: cream
Durability: up to 8 washes
Effects: coloration, hides the first gray hairs

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Product description

Alkaline toner with an alkaline pH. The alkaline environment opens up the hair's scales, allowing pigments to penetrate deeper into the hair. It can also be used for dark hair.

For the application of Matrix Color Sync Pre-bonded toners, an activator, i.e. an oxidant, is required - in this case a small concentration of 3% is sufficient.

Healthy and beautiful hair means, on the one hand, conscious colouring and, on the other hand, daily care for its condition. Therefore, read:

Blonde and Grey Hair

Matrix Total Results So Silver

The shampoo conditions and cools the color. After washing, hair is soft and shiny. Fade Guard technology prevents color fading.

Type and consistency: shampoo
Effects: neutralization of yellow tones.

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Product description

The shampoo gently washes and cleanses the scalp and hair. It emphasizes cool reflections and neutralizes yellow tones. Has a protective effect thanks to the presence of vitamin E and sunflower oil.

For brunette women

Matrix Total Results Brass OFF

The shampoo refreshes and protects color. Prevents frizz and makes styling easier.

Type and texture: shampoo
Effects: neutralizes copper highlights

See price - amazon See price - notino See price - empik

Product description

Matrix professional shampoo is designed for dark hair - from dark blondes to deep browns. It neutralizes copper, gold and orange highlights, while blue-violet pigments further cool down the color.

The Total Results So Silver and Brass OFF lines also include other hair care products such as sprays, conditioners or hair masks.

Matrix toners: colour palette

Matrix hair toners are primarily a wealth of colours, which are divided into several collections:

pearl (e.g. purple, gold, pink and clear)
bronde (gold and ash notes)
for blondes (e.g. steel, purple, nude)
for brunettes (e.g. ash, mocha, matte brown)
neutralising (anti-yellow, anti-copper, anti-red)

In total, Matrix acid toners are over 20 shades to choose from.

In most companies, the paint colour palette is built up from colour levels, i.e. the brightness of the colour on a scale of 1-10, and shades (reflections). Matrix labels its colours with letters that are equivalent to the first letter of the shade.

How to apply?

Matrix hair toner needs to be mixed with oxidant/activator in a ratio of 1:1 and applied to damp hair. Keep the toner on for about 20 minutes and observe how the hair reacts to it the whole time. Once the desired effect is achieved, rinse hair thoroughly and apply conditioner.

To measure out the correct amounts of dye and activator, it is best to use a scale, such as a kitchen scale.

Apply So Silver and Brass OFF shampoos with protective gloves to wet hair. Wash and rinse hair thoroughly. If you want to further enhance the effect, leave the Matrix shampoo on your hair a little longer every few washes: for 3-5 minutes.

Matrix shampoo is a great way to give your hair a boost.

No daily care is complete without taking care of your skin and nails.

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Matrix toners - expert opinion

Matrix is the company's subsidiary L'oreal Professionnel, where you can find professional products at affordable prices. "I personally like and recommend," admits hairdresser, stylist and blogger, Adrianna Pydzinska.

And what does she think of the various Matrix brand lines?

Color Sync Pre-bonded

A range of semi-permanent colouring dyes that works well as a toner (as long as you apply it to previously bleached and wet hair. You can use it to darken or colour tone in tone. It will also cover grey hair, as long as you don't have more than 50% of it.

The entire line is enriched with hair fibre strengthening technology.

Adrianna Pydzinska hairdresser and stylist

Fast Toner

I would leave it to the professionals. After the toner alone, the effect is not stunning, but as a first step to neutralise unwanted shade it will already work. This means you need to apply something else after this toner to make the end result really wow.

Adrianna Pydzinska hairdresser and stylist

Acidic Toner

Acidic toner to give you a luminous shade. Will only work on light, previously bleached hair. Ideal for lightening on natural hair. You can tone your hair lengths and your natural colour will not be altered.

Adrianna Pydzinska hairdresser and stylist

Alkaline Toner

Because it creates an alkaline environment it is not suitable for toning light highlights on natural hair. Brown tones come out exceptionally nicely.

Adrianna Pydzinska hairdresser and stylist

Matrix Total Results So Silver

A great product for light blondes after toning their hair. Extends the life of the cool shade. Shampoo, conditioner, mask for daily care with blue pigments to eliminate yellow tones on the hair.

Adrianna Pydzinska hairdresser and stylist

Matrix Results Brass OFF

Daily hair care products designed for brunettes - from dark blonde to brown. The shampoo eliminates copper tones in the hair.

A nice option after toning to keep hair colour cool. Great for ombre and sombre in brown tones.

Adrianna Pydzinska hairdresser and stylist

Matrix toners - user reviews

People who use Matrix toners are overwhelmingly satisfied with them. We have looked through the major websites and forums (including foreign ones) and selected the most popular reviews. In their reviews, users emphasise the following in particular:

ease of application,
the durability of the colour,
the safety of the formulation,

safe composition,
repeatable results,

The spectacular colour results are also appreciated, with many people admitting that they have been coming back to these toners for several or even more years.

There are voices reminding people not to keep the toner on the hair too long - the colour then comes out darker than the palette.

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Place for your review

What do you think of Matrix toners? Your review will help others make better and more informed choices! 'Before and after' photos welcome :)

FAQ

Matrix hair toner - what effects does it have?

Matrix hair toners are primarily used for hair toning, darkening, neutralising unwanted shades as well as tone-on-tone colouring. They contain no ammonia and are safe for the hair. They are used both in hair salons and at home.

You can read more about how and when to use toners in the article: Best hair toner (Professional, hairdressing, home).

How to apply Matrix toner - to wet or dry hair?

Matrix hair toner (and all others) is best applied to previously washed and damp, wet hair. This is mainly due to concern for hair. The layer of water left on the hair makes the chemical reactions occur more slowly. Toners are far less invasive than permanent dyes, and applying them to wet hair further increases safety.

How long to keep Matrix toner on the hair?

When properly prepared, Matrix toner should be kept on wet, damp hair for up to 20 minutes and watch the effects at all times - especially if you have sensitised hair that catches pigments more quickly. Before using the toner for the first time, do a test on one strand. Once the results are satisfactory, rinse your hair and apply conditioner.

How long does Matrix toner last on hair?

Hair toning is the gentlest colouring method, and the effects usually last up to a dozen washes or for several weeks. The intensity of the effects after using a toner is linked to how often you wash your hair - the more often you wash your hair, the faster the colour washes out. You can prolong them by using hair conditioners, as well as cosmetics or hair treatments.

What are the best Matrix toners for blondes?

Matrix's most highly regarded line of hair toners is Color Sync Pre-bonded. Blondes can use two products from it: Fast toner (neutralises primary colours in 5 minutes) and Acidic Toner (an acidic toner with a rich colour palette and lasts up to 8 washes). For maintenance, the specialists recommend Matrix Total Results So Silver, which further neutralises yellow tones.

The best Matrix toner for brunettes

Among the classic toners in cream form, Matrix's Color Sync hair toners are the best. The best Matrix toner for brown hair is the Matrix Color Sync Pre-bonded Alkaline Toner line. You might also consider Matrix Total Results Brass OFF Shampoo, which eliminates copper highlights.

Best Matrix acid toner for blondes

Users especially appreciate Matrix Color Sync Pre-bonded Acidic Toner. It is a professional cream for home use - ideal for tone-on-tone colouring. The acidic pH is safer for the hair structure, which is very important with bleached hair. Plus, you have quite a selection of shades.

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