Rumor has it that Marilyn Monroe’s “secret” toner was clear with a dash of black. Since then, many colorists have mixed a smidge of 1B into a clear base to get an ash hue. But adding black to lightener? You asked, and your fellow stylists answered!

“We were talking at the salon about the ‘adding drops of black into toners for ashy blondes’ post the other day. Someone on that thread said she ‘adds a couple drops of black into lighteners—been doing it since beauty school. Mix up your bleach, add a few drops of black and…