Whether you've been bleaching your hair since middle school or are a natural brunette thinking of going lighter for the first time, you might think you have blonde hair all figured out. But the truth is this multidimensional hair color is much more than just a head full of golden strands.
Blonde hair comes in a range of shades, tints, and tones (and undertones, for that matter), all of which are just as dynamic as the rest. And the only thing more difficult than deciphering the incredibly complex makings of the perfect shade of blonde is deciding on the one you love most. But if you know it's a dark blonde that you're after, we have the inspiration you need to get it right. Here are 30 dark-blonde dye jobs, from ashy tones to strawberry shades and everything in between, to consider before your next appointment.
This glossy caramel-blonde shade with honey ribbons throughout complements the golden tones in deeper skin tones like a dream.
If you wear your hair in long layers, consider sticking to your darker roots and creating a lengthy ombré that ends in a cool shade of blonde. The result will include cooler-looking ponytails.
Something about a medley of blonde and caramel tones painted in unison gives summer vibes all year round. It's almost that lemon-in-hair, bleached-by-the-sun look that screams beach days and poolside hangs.
Gradual, hand-painted highlights throughout your ends and around your face will brighten up your look in a totally natural-looking way. Try it and see for yourself.
Mushroom blonde is just that—a hue that mimics the natural color gradations found on the undersides of mushrooms. It's a gorgeous, ashy shade with cool dark-gray tones woven throughout.
The perfect in-between, bronde is the happy place between a lighter, brighter blonde and warm-toned brunette. While the dark roots almost skew more brunette, the honey-toned ends definitely qualify as a blonde.
Painted-on golden streaks are exactly that back-from-the-beach look you should strive for. A few bleached pieces frame the face in a summery kind of way.
If your brown hair is on the lighter end of the spectrum, you can still keep your sun-kissed ends while trying the ash trend up top. Ask your colorist to incorporate more silvers and work on toning the warmer tones. Just remember to keep toning products in your regular hair routine to avoid brassiness.
Shades of blonde boast plenty of dimension on their own, but a blunt bang just ups the cool factor in a snap.
You can easily brighten up your look with ribbons of warm-toned copper painted throughout if you're on the darker end of the brown-hair spectrum. A good rule of thumb is to find shades in your skin tone and incorporate them into your hair for a complementary look.
Truthfully, going blonde can require some serious upkeep. If an all-over dye job is too high-maintenance for your busy schedule, opt for an easy-to-maintain balayage, like this cool-toned look.
Is it brunette, or is it blonde? It's difficult to tell, but this dark bronde is 100% gorge.
This biscuit beige-gray balayage blends with creamy ecru strokes, creating a cool tone that transcends seasons.
While ashy tones can get a bad rap, the ash-blonde look is a gray-based shade that works best on people with cool or neutral skin tones. And the best part is it looks completely natural.
Try this warm-toned balayage for an easy-to-maintain look.
Curls and waves are dynamic enough on their own, but a perfectly executed dark-to-light ombré and some highlights painted throughout add tons of dimension.
This look nails the dark-roots, golden-ends ombré, proving that natural brunettes can get in on the blonde action without having to keep up with biweekly salon visits.
Lighter on the ends and lighter around the face, this dark-blonde color job is a prime example of a blonde ombré done right.
For those who love the dark-to-light ombré but boast a short cut, here's proof even short-haired beauties can get in on the trend.
A medley of golden streaks painted in sections and on the ends of hair are exactly that back-from-the-beach look we strive for in warmer months and beyond.
This blonde pixie cut with reddish undertones makes it the perfect candidate for strawberry-blonde inspiration at your next color appointment.
A warm shade of strawberry blonde is so dynamic that you can keep your roots natural and still make a splash.
The blonde and caramel tones here give summer vibes. And who doesn't want an eternal summer?
One rule of thumb for making your dark strands pass as a believable, natural blonde (if that's what you want) is to have a few highlights extend all the way up to the roots.
We love this look that stunningly combines warm brown and silvery gray, making it look and feel incredibly edgy. It looks especially good on warm skin tones and gives hair tons of dimension.
For fairer skin with cool undertones, try weaving in silver highlights and lowlights throughout to give your hair dimension without washing out your complexion.
A perfectly executed dark-to-light ombré is as dynamic as it gets, and this blonde with dark-brown roots is it.
A masterpiece if we've ever seen one, this blonde paint job is full of dimension thanks to cool, sandy tones blended into a light-brunette base.
Weave in ribbons of golden caramel, strawberry blonde, and ashy hues with formerly dark strands for a look that feels totally natural.
Layering shades of blonde highlights ranging from cool to warm with neutral grays and lighter ends is the secret to the perfect foray into blonde for natural brunettes.
Blonde-Friendly Buys
For some, going blonde means a constant battle with brassiness. If that's you, consider a purple hair mask that not only boosts shine and hydration but also fights brassiness with every application.
Unless you're the IRL Goldilocks, chances are you don't want actual yellow-gold strands. This fan-favorite spray makes your hair silky soft while keeping yellow tones at bay. And if that wasn't enough, it also defrizzes and detangles while protecting your vulnerable strands from heat and UV damage.
We don't have to tell you that bleaching your hair can be seriously damaging. This overnight leave-in serum with hyaluronic acid and edelweiss flower hydrates and nourishes damaged hair.
Depending on your location, your water can affect the health of your hair and its color. Hard water is likely to have excess chlorine and other harmful substances that can dry out your strands over time. This showerhead filter removes those chemicals, leaving your hair feeling softer and your blonde staying brighter for much longer.
Satin pillowcases are like a slippery cloud for your bleached strands. They keep you from waking up with bed head and help prevent breakage and minimize any friction caused by tossing and turning while you sleep.
Next, These Are the Shampoos and Conditioners I Recommend to My Friends With Oily Hair
