10 Dark Blonde Hair Colors to Show Your Stylist

Publish date: 2024-03-19

The color options for blondes are seemingly endless. From icy platinum and honey wheat to mushroom blonde and bronde, there are so many different shades to choose from. However, some blonde styles can be extremely high-maintenance depending on the need for root touch ups and care including bond-repair products, hydrating hair masks, and purple shampoo. While the end result makes the extra effort is worth it, there are other low-maintenance shades of blonde to try. Enter: dark blonde hair.

"The lower the contrast between the natural color and the dyed shade, the less maintenance it will be when the roots grow in," Tom Smith, celebrity hairstylist and international colour creative director for evo hair, says of the hair color family. "A dark blonde shade has a natural, earthy undertone and can look soft and flattering against the skin tones of those with naturally darker hair."

How to choose a dark blonde hair color

The beauty of this color is that it can be adapted to your base, whether you're currently light blonde or dark brunette. "If you’re already blonde and wanting to add more depth, I recommend adding panels of dark blonde or cleverly placed lowlights to bring the overall depth of the hair down without losing the dimension and contrast, which makes blonde hair look ‘alive,'" says Smith.

For brunettes, the colorist suggests "using the dark blonde shade as a balayage highlight so as to not change your entire base color — you can gradually build this up until you feel light enough." If you’re adding dark blonde tones into a lighter base, Smith says to start with "deeper panels underneath, away from your natural parting to play with how you feel with more richness and depth."

How to care for dark blonde hair

While purple shampoo is often touted as a holy grail product for blonde, Natalie Sibert, senior stylist and colorist at Mirror Mirror Salon in Austin, Texas, says dark blondes should avoid it — especially if you're a natural brunette.

"Do not use the purple shampoo because it cancels out yellow. Instead, use a blue shampoo a couple of times a month because blue cancels out orange or brassiness," the colorist shares. You can also go back to your salon for toning.

Keep scrolling for 10 dark blonde hair shades as seen on celebrities to inspire your own take on the color.

Bronde

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"Bronde is a great option for people who are wanting to go lighter because it’s a good halfway mark," Sibert says. "Instead of going from one extreme to the other and completely startling yourself, it's a great way to ease you into the world of blonde." The colorist identifies Jennifer Aniston's color as a prime example of bronde hair.

Honey Blonde

@beyonce

Beyoncé could write the rulebook on honey blonde hair. The warm, rich shade has become her signature look in recent years, and here, her bouncy curls really show off the definition of her color.

Winter Gold

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While sun-kissed blonde channels the natural lightening of your hair that occurs from spending time outside in the summer, "winter gold" is the cool weather version of this look. "It fuses a neutral, earthy base (which suits natural brunettes) with a golden reflect (which often works well on lighter bases) to provide a soft and wearable shade for those with naturally lighter or darker hair," Smith says of the color trend. Let Kaia Gerber's golden dark blonde hair serve as reference material for your stylist.

Cookies and Cream Blonde

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The contrast of Ciara's dark base and dark blonde highlights described in one word? Delicious. The color combo is especially visible when worn parted to the side or with a section of hair combed over another.

Face-Framing Dark Blonde

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For year-round, sun-kissed hair, opt for face-framing dark blonde highlights like Priyanka Chopra Jonas. The warm tones brighten up the face and will really pop when your hair is styled in loose waves like Chopra Jonas's style here.

Dark Blonde Tips

@tiamowry

If you're a brunette who doesn't want to go full-on blonde, try dip-dyeing the ends of your hair a warm honey shade for a subtle pop of color like Tia Mowry did on her natural curls.

Mushroom Blonde

Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

Mushrooms are an unassuming inspiration for hair color, but Lily-Rose Depp's is proof that the reference material translates into a gorgeous shade of blonde. The cool-toned dark blonde shade is a great alternative to warm ones like honey blonde.

Rooty Dark Blonde

 Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for ESSENCE

For an edgy take on dark blonde, the extreme contrast of Laverne Cox's dark brunette roots and warm blonde ombré highlights is just the ticket.

Dark Blonde Braids

 Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images

While Issa Rae has chocolate brown hair, she added strands of honey blonde to her braids for a luxurious, eye-catching look.

Dark Blonde Lowlights

Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

If you're already blonde and want to go darker for the season, or you're simply up for a change, Sibert recommends lowlights. "This will give your hair a darker appearance and will make it easier for you in the spring when you want to go brighter again without having to do a full-on color correction," the colorist says.

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