Red Seal Hairstylist Practice Exam

What kind of color technique enhances natural hair color?

1. Toner

2. Highlighter

3. Bleach

4. Dye

The correct answer is: Toner

The technique that enhances natural hair color is toner. Toners are used primarily to adjust or enhance the underlying tones of the hair after lightening or coloring. When a hairstylist applies toner, it can enrich the existing hair color by adding nuances such as warmth or coolness, making the hair look more vibrant and multidimensional. This treatment is particularly effective for neutralizing unwanted hues (like brassiness) after bleaching, thus improving the overall appearance while maintaining the hair's natural base. When comparing this with the other options, while highlighters do lighten strands and can give dimension, they don't specifically enhance the natural color as much as they create contrast. Bleach is typically used to lighten the hair significantly, which can change its natural color rather than enhance it. Lastly, dye changes the hair color more dramatically rather than enhancing what's already present, which is why it does not serve the specific purpose of enhancement effectively as toner does.