Dark blonde shades make any hairstyle appear sophisticated. Ideal for both warm and cool complexions, dark blonde is an elegant neutral shade that complements natural colors, reducing touch-up frequency.
Try opting for a low-maintenance look for fall, like rooted shades with darker roots and lighter ends – these styles require little maintenance! Or go for well-smudged vertical balayage to highlight face-framing strands and add dimension.
Warm Tones
Women with warm skin tones require dark blonde hair shades that emphasize their golden glow. A buttery honey shade like Lily-Rose Depp or Issa Rae’s will add depth and complement a variety of skin tones, making this hue the ideal option for lightening medium brown roots to blonde or creating complex dark balayage designs.
Bronde is an ideal shade to introduce someone new to blonde, as it sits halfway between platinum and classic blonde shades and complements all seasons and undertones alike. Dirty blonde is another ideal hue for warm-toned blondes, featuring subtle auburn tones that work beautifully with redheads and blondes with golden, olive, or neutral skin tones. Furthermore, this neutral shade is an effective base color for highlighting or ombre and pairs perfectly with ash-blonde highlights.
Cool Tones
Dark blonde hair shades can be either warm or cool, depending on the tone of your complexion. Women with light faces should consider opting for warm golden or creamy tones during spring and summer, while darker ash tones work better during autumn and winter.
Medium skin tones will find that dark honey tone provides versatility with warm and cool undertones for an attractive finish. Add finely-woven balayage highlights or sun-kissed ombre for a natural transition, and pair this shade with long or curly styles and close-cropped haircuts for optimal results.
SJP has long favored her signature smoky blonde highlights, while Gigi Hadid can often be found sporting an ash-blonde style with a center part. These styles use balayage techniques that combine cinnamon, caramel, and ivory shades that pair beautifully with either curly or wavy styles.
Light Tones
If you prefer more natural-looking blonde shades, light to medium-dark hues might suit you. Under low lighting, they may resemble light brunette hair colors under soft lighting, but their shimmery dimension shines brighter under bright sunlight.
Blending warm and cool tones produces an exquisite neutral shade that complements women with all skin tones. For instance, this dark blonde shade combines the coppery warmth of golden brown with a silver sheen that mimics an ash-blonde look under some lighting conditions. It pairs exceptionally well with loose or voluminous tendrils framing the face for optimal effect.
Celebrities like Gigi Hadid often showcase this eye-catching shade on her close-cropped locks. A rich caramel-blonde hue like this looks beautiful with any length and style of hair, but is incredibly flattering when worn in a bob style. Ensure your colorist uses a toner every other wash to avoid yellowing the shade.
Dark Tones
If you’re a brunette looking to go blonde, try mixing warm and cool tones to achieve an all-over shade that works with most skin tones. Sibert suggests “bronde as the ideal halfway point that allows lightening without totally shocking yourself with drastic color change,” offering this dark blonde shade with warm and cool tones that complement natural brown or lighter strands – such as Ciara’s allover strawberry blonde look.
Rich, dirty blonde hues like this one feature an eye-catching pearly sheen, making it stand out from ashy blonde shades and suit all skin tones. To maintain its vibrancy and freshness, use sulfate-free shampoo explicitly designed for colored hair instead of regular bleach-based shampoos; purple toner can be applied every once or twice every month to cancel out unwanted brassiness for a stunning dark blonde shade that requires minimal upkeep when worn loose and flowing curls.
