Thinking about going blonde? From subtle highlights to total transformations, the world of blonde hair color is vast and varied. With a multitude of shades available, ranging from the palest platinum to dark blonde highlights over a dark brown base, selecting the perfect blonde can feel overwhelming. This comprehensive guide will break down the different types and shades of blonde hair dye, helping you navigate the options and find the most flattering hue for you.
Blonde hair color is one of those colors that never really goes out of style: A bright, buttery blonde is truly timeless. Each shade of blonde can even have a variety of sub-shades. But with so many blonde hair shades to choose from, it can be challenging to know which hue to opt for (especially if you’ve never been blonde before). Platinum blonde can be a great pick for those looking to make a bold statement, while darker blonde hair tones are ideal for anyone hoping to keep maintenance to a minimum.
If you’re hoping to find your most flattering blonde hair color, though, you’ll want to take stock of your skin tone and undertone and select a shade that complements both. With blonde hair-or any hair color, for that matter-a good general rule of thumb is to match like with like. If you have warm skin, that means selecting a hair color with golden or reddish undertones. Ashier hair colors, on the other hand, pair best with cool skin. (If you have neutral undertones, there are countless different blonde hair colors that’ll look good on you). It's important to consider your complexion: are you fair, medium or dark skinned? Also, think about the look you want to achieve. Do you want a natural, sun-kissed look?
That said, when going blonde, there are all kinds of ways to break the rules. Regardless of what you’re looking for, remember that the most important thing to do when dying your hair blonde is to seek the help of your stylist.
Here's a detailed look at some of the most popular blonde hair color shades:
Read also: The Genetic Basis of Hair Color
Platinum blonde hair color is the lightest of all the blonde shades, and is best on fair skin tones or medium skin tones with a yellowish tint. But this palest of blonde hues looks fabulous with any eye color, and is particularly striking with bright blue or brown eyes. The popularity of platinum hair shades has been around a long time - can you say “Marilyn”? Timeless, glamourous and endlessly chic, platinum blonde is an almost-silvery blonde perfect for anyone looking to make an impact. Maintaining platinum blonde hair between trips to the salon can be a little tricky.
Light ash blonde hair color is a whiter shade of blonde that has an ashy, or gray, tint. It could be described as cool platinum, and looks best on lighter complexions with lighter eye colors. Ash blonde hair is very similar to light ash blonde hair - it’s a slightly darker, sophisticated ash shade with hints of beige and grey, and works well with darker roots. Just like light ash blonde hair, you can use a purple shampoo and purple conditioner to neutralise darker ash blonde hair and prevents brassiness.
Natural blonde hair color is as it sounds: blonde hair that looks like you were born with it. This baby blonde color is multidimensional, having several similar blonde shades within the same family of color.
Strawberry blonde hair color is a warm reddish-blonde hue that can have all the colors of a sunset in it. This shade is best on fair skin and lighter eye colors, and is simplest to achieve if hair is a lighter color to begin with. If your locks are slightly warmer, you could always try a strawberry blonde shade - it's rich, coppery and versatile. If you’re rocking red hair and want to maintain the warmth while brightening things up, consider strawberry blonde. This versatile shade bridges the gap between red and blonde, with a bright, pinkish overtone that pops against fair skin.
Buttery blonde hair color is a warm hue with splashes of honey-yellow. If you’re looking for a shade of blonde that’ll help perk up your skin, consider giving butter blonde a try. This soft golden hue has subtle golden undertones, which can help to give your complexion a natural-looking glow.
Read also: Lasting Hair Graft Results
Beige blonde hair color is a darker base with lighter, cooler highlights. This is best on medium skin tones; just be sure to maintain some warmer tones to match your skin if necessary. Ashy or orange-ish tones could make you look washed out.
Silver blonde hair color is a cool, ashy shade that moves blonde hair into a sterling hue. Best on lighter complexions and light eye colors such as blue or green, this shade is a fabulous option for naturally graying hair. Silver blonde hair is a hybrid hair colour that’s very similar to platinum blonde - it’s also a metallic hair colour, but it tends to be darker and more cool-toned than platinum hair. Like platinum blonde, silver blonde is also prone to brassiness once your hair’s cooler tones are washed away by your usual shampoo.
Summer blonde hair color is a flaxen hue that can be achieved with a sandy base and sunny highlights. This combination can be lightened up for paler complexions or darkened up for medium complexions.
Creamy blonde hair color is a cool, whiter shade of blonde that looks best on medium to dark skin tones with darker eye colors such as brown or black. To achieve this color, ask your stylist for cream and butter balayage highlights over your darker roots. If cream soda blonde isn’t on your radar yet, it should be. This universally flattering hue blends a light brown base with creamy vanilla blonde highlights for a dimensional look that wows in every season. If you’re new to DIY hair color, you may want to visit an expert to achieve expertly blended highlights and lowlights.
Dirty blonde hair color is a medium-hued blonde with tones of wheat, or, well, “dirt” color strewn throughout. Consider this shade if you have green or brown eyes and a medium-toned skin. This look can be achieved through balayage or ombrè-style highlighting. Dirty blonde hair is a hybrid blonde shade that isn't as bright as platinum or light ash hair, as warm as golden blonde, or as dark as full-on brunette - but has elements of all these shades.
Read also: Customizing Your Hair Oil Blend
Honey blonde hair color is warm and shiny and looks best on medium skin tones with darker eye colors such as brown or black. Taylor Swift has personified honey blonde hair color. Honey blonde hair has distinct golden undertones that pair beautifully with (you guessed it) warm skin tones-though it’s an excellent choice for those with neutral-leaning skin, too. To get the glossy look, ask your colorist for a dimensional hue with subtle threads of wheat blonde, caramel, and amber. Mixing bronze tones and honey blonde creates an overall golden, sun-kissed hue that pairs beautifully with warmer skin tones.
Bronze creamy blonde hair color is a warm, beachy-looking hue that is naturally lovely on medium, tawny complexions with light- to medium-shade eye colors such as blue, gray or light brown. Blake Lively’s wavy locks define this shade.
Golden blonde hair color is the stuff of fairytales - shimmery, creamy and soft, it’s similar to the nectar blonde and sunny girl blonde shades taking the catwalks by storm this season. Keep your golden blonde tresses looking clean and fresh by taking care of your highlights - illuminated, bright highlights add movement and dimension. Golden blonde hair color is a natural-looking, multidimensional mix of butter, gold and honey hues that looks beautiful paired with fair complexions and lighter eye colors such as pale blue or hazel.
Ash blonde hair color is a darker, cooler shade of silvery blonde that is an excellent choice for those with darker natural hair, skin and eye colors. Traditional ash blonde hair color can be warmed up with buttery highlights to match skin tone if needed. Don’t be afraid of ash blonde hair - this beige-toned, flattering shade is anything but dull.
Sandy blonde hair color is rich, warm and subtle. This blonde shade pairs best with fair skin tones and light eyes such as blue, hazel or violet. If you’re new to blonde and are looking to familiarize yourself with the hue before committing, try sandy blonde hair. It’s one of our favorite blonde hair color shades for those with cool undertones since the ashy blonde hue won’t clash with your skin.
Auburn blonde hair color is strawberry blonde with a tangerine twist. This dramatic hue can be worn with any skin tone, but looks ravishing on paler complexions with lighter eye colors such as blue, green or hazel.
Copper blonde hair color is a shimmering, colour-rich shade with a mixture of golden, red and orange tones. Its warm, golden base of yellow and orange shades makes it a stunning all-rounder for all seasons - it's a wonderfully-warm shade which is more striking than auburn and brighter than burgundy. Copper blonde hair may need regular salon appointments to keep it looking its best, but you can also maintain your colour at home. Copper blonde hair color is a luminous darker golden hue with amber undertones. This color goes well with darker skin tones and eye colors such as brown or black.
Brownish blonde, also known as “bronde” hair color is a warm, natural-looking blonde hue that looks lovely with fair and medium complexions and light to medium eye colors such as gold, light brown or blue. Bronde is neither overly brown nor blonde but somewhere in between. The versatile hue can flatter any skin tone and can easily be made brighter or darker to suit your preferences. A clever mixture of both blonde and brunette, bronde hair is a skilfully-layered blend of brown and blonde hair that’s usually created using highlights, babylights and balayage. Bronde ombré hair is a way of trying bronde hair without an all-over colour commitment - the word ‘ombré’ means ‘shaded’ in French, and it’s a subtle yet striking way of blending one colour into another.
Cherry Blonde Hair Color is a vivid fuchsia-toned berry color over a darker base that is beautiful for those with darker skin tones and darker eyes. If you’re angling to go warmer but aren’t quite ready to commit to crimson hair, consider cherry blonde. This sunny shade is similar to strawberry blonde but leans closer to copper than pink. It’s bright, it’s trendy, and it’s an excellent choice for anyone with fair, warm-toned skin.
Caramel blonde hair color is a light golden brown or dark iridescent blonde color that is lovely on any complexion, but most natural-looking on those with medium to dark skin tones. Reese Witherspoon wears this color well. Caramel blonde is an excellent color to choose if you’re a brunette and it’s your first time going blonde thanks to its slightly deeper tint-the darker shade will minimize the amount of time you have to spend lightening your hair. We’re especially fond of this luxe hue for those with deeper skin tones since the rich shade will provide contrast without looking too harsh or unnatural. Deliciously warm and effortlessly stylish, caramel blonde hair is a sweet, rich darker blonde with a golden, honeyed hue.
Black blonde hair color is generally reserved for dramatic styles involving blonde hair color and black hair color worn together. Because of the contrast of very dark and light hair color on one head, any complexion or eye color can pull it off (if you’re brave enough to wear it).
Dark reddish-brown blonde hair color is a stunning blend of blondes, browns and reds used on a dark base that can be customized to any skin tone or eye color.
Chocolate blonde hair color is a lustrous, darker blonde with filaments of blonde highlights to add movement, depth and gloss. It’s an ideal colour for darker blondes who are experimenting with brunette hair - and it’s closely related to the expensive brunette trend. Chocolate blonde hair color is a darker shade of caramel blonde that looks warm and stunning with golden highlights. Beyonce’s creamy mane with a dark base that balances her blonde locks is a lovely example of this color. Though this hair color looks best on darker skin tones with darker eye colors, it can be adjusted to suit lighter complexions.
Chestnut blonde hair color is typically a mix of darker hair with golden highlights, though it can be created on golden blonde hair by adding caramel highlights.
Figuring out the right blonde hair shade is just the first step in your transformation. You’ll also need to know how to care for and maintain your new color to keep your hair looking its best.
Blonde Hair Care Tip: To neutralize any brassy orange tones that may appear on your lightened dark hair, be sure to use blue pigmented shampoo between salon visits.
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