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| It's all about choosing the right blonde shade. Photo: Freepik |
I think blonde hair is making a comeback as a trend. It is a style that's both cool and sophisticated. It goes well with any outfit and complements every skin tone. Almost all your favorite celebrities have tried blonde hair at some point. Some rocked it, some went flat. In fact, anyone can rock blonde hair effortlessly. It's all about choosing the right blonde shade that complements your complexion.
You can get your hair colored blonde according to your taste by an expert at any salon. However, professional coloring can be quite expensive. If you are on a budget, you can dye your hair in your preferred shade of blonde at home.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to choose the right blonde shade according to your skin tone and how to dye your hair blonde at home.
Read More: Short Blonde Hairstyles That'll Inspire You
Find Your Perfect Blonde Shade Based on Your Skin Tone
Choosing the right blonde shade begins with understanding your skin’s undertone. To determine yours, look at the inner part of your wrist under natural light. If your veins appear greenish, you likely have a warm undertone. If they look bluish or purplish, your undertone is cool. If you can’t clearly tell or see both, you’re probably neutral.
Quick trick: Gold jewelry tends to flatter warm-toned skin, silver suits cool-toned skin, and if both look great on you, you’re a neutral.
Match Your Undertone to Blonde Hair Shades
Once you’ve identified your undertone, match it with suitable blonde shades.
Warm undertone
- For warm undertones, rich, golden hues work best.
- Think golden blonde, honey blonde, caramel blonde, butterscotch, or even strawberry blonde for a hint of red.
- Avoid ashy or platinum blondes, as they may make your complexion look washed out.
Cool undertone
- Cool undertones are best complemented by icy or muted tones. Go for ash blonde, platinum blonde, pearl blonde, beige blonde, and smoky blonde.
- Steer clear of warm or yellowish blondes, which can bring out unwanted sallowness.
Neutral undertone
- If you have a neutral undertone, you can pull off a wide variety of shades.
- Neutral blonde, creamy blonde, soft beige blonde, and light champagne all work beautifully.
- Just try to avoid anything too extremely golden or stark platinum for the most balanced look.
Consider Your Eye Color
- Your eye color can also enhance your look. Blue, gray, or green eyes typically pair well with cooler blonde tones.
- If you have brown, hazel, or amber eyes, they tend to shine next to warmer colors.
- These aren’t strict rules, but a helpful guide when narrowing your options.
Consider Your Natural Hair Color
- Staying within one to two shades lighter will give you the most natural-looking blonde.
- If your hair is naturally dark and you are dreaming of a much lighter blonde, be prepared for bleaching and the need for regular toning.
Finally, before committing to a full transformation, test things out. Use virtual hair color apps to preview different shades. You can also experiment with temporary blonding sprays or blond wigs. These steps can save you from color regret and help you confidently embrace the blonde that suits you best.
Read More: 8 Tips To Color Your Hair At Home Without Screwing It Up
How to Dye Your Hair Blonde at Home: Step-by-Step Guide
Since you already know which blonde color suits you, let's see how you can achieve this color at home. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you get salon-worthy results for your preferred blonde shades. I also provided some tips to ensure vibrant, long-lasting color and minimal hair damage.
What You’ll Need
- Hair dye kit in your chosen blonde shade (e.g., golden blonde, ash blonde, platinum blonde, etc.)
- Developer (10-volume for minimal lift, 20-volume for 1-2 shades lighter, 30-volume for darker
- hair or more lift—check kit instructions)
- Bleach kit (for platinum, pearl, or smoky blonde, or if starting with very dark hair)
- Mixing bowl and brush (non-metallic)
- Gloves (included in most kits)
- Old towel and shirt (to protect surfaces and clothing)
- Sectioning clips
- Petroleum jelly (to protect skin from staining)
- Toner (optional, for ash, pearl, or smoky blonde to neutralize brassy tones)
- Deep conditioner (to nourish hair post-dyeing)
- Purple shampoo (to maintain cool-toned blondes like ash or platinum)
Step 1: Prepare Your Hair and Workspace
- Choose the right shade: Refer to the earlier section to select a shade that suits your undertone (e.g., golden or honey blonde for warm undertones, ash or platinum for cool undertones, creamy or champagne for neutral undertones).
- Do a strand test: Mix a small amount of dye and apply it to a hidden section of hair to check the color result and processing time.
- Don’t wash your hair: Dye works best on unwashed hair (1-2 days post-wash) to allow natural oils to protect your scalp.
- Protect your space: Cover surfaces with newspaper or an old towel, and wear an old shirt. Apply petroleum jelly along your hairline, ears, and neck to prevent skin staining.
- Section your hair: Divide your hair into four sections (top, sides, and back) using clips for easier application.
Step 2: Mix and Apply Bleach (If Needed)
- When to bleach: If you want platinum, pearl, smoky blonde, or if your natural hair is dark (brown or black) and you’re aiming for a lighter shade like light champagne or beige blonde, bleaching is required. Warm shades like golden and caramel do not need bleaching if your hair is already on a lighter shade.
- Mix the bleach: Follow the instructions on your bleach kit. Mix powder with a 20- or 30-volume developer in a non-metallic bowl.
- Apply bleach: Start from the back sections, use the brush to apply bleach evenly, focusing on the lengths and avoiding the roots. Work quickly but carefully, ensuring all strands are coated.
- Check timing: Leave bleach on for the recommended time, usually 20-45 minutes, depending on your hair’s starting color and desired lift. Check every 5-10 minutes to avoid over-processing. Do not exceed 60 minutes.
- Rinse and shampoo: Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water, then use a gentle shampoo. Follow with a deep conditioner to restore moisture.
Step 3: Mix and Apply the Blonde Dye
- Mix the dye: Follow the instructions in your dye kit. Combine the color with the developer in a non-metallic bowl. For warm shades (golden, honey, caramel, butterscotch, strawberry blonde), the mix is straightforward. For cool shades (ash, platinum, pearl, smoky, beige), ensure you have a toner ready if brassiness is a concern.
- Apply the dye: Start with the roots in each section, then work through the lengths. For a natural look, blend the dye thoroughly using your gloved fingers or a brush. For shades like strawberry blonde, ensure even application to capture the red undertones.
- Processing time: Follow the kit’s recommended time (typically 20-30 minutes). Check a strand every 5 minutes to monitor color development. Cool shades like ash or pearl may need less time to avoid over-toning, while warm shades like caramel may need the full time for vibrancy.
- Rinse: Rinse with lukewarm water until the water runs clear. Avoid shampooing immediately to let the color set.
Step 4: Tone (For Cool Shades)
- Why tone?: Cool-toned blondes (ash, platinum, pearl, smoky, beige) can turn brassy (yellow and orange) without toning. Use a toner to neutralize unwanted warmth and achieve the desired icy or muted effect.
- Apply toner: Mix and apply toner as per instructions (usually 10-20 minutes). For pearl or smoky blonde, a purple-based toner works best; for beige, a neutral toner is ideal.
- Rinse and condition: Rinse thoroughly and apply a deep conditioner to lock in moisture.
Step 5: Post-Dye Care
- Use purple shampoo: For cool shades (ash, platinum, pearl, smoky, beige), use purple shampoo once a week to maintain the tone and prevent brassiness. Warm shades (golden, honey, caramel, butterscotch, strawberry blonde) don’t typically need purple shampoo but benefit from color-safe shampoo. So use a color-safe shampoo for warm shades.
- Condition regularly: Blonde hair can be prone to dryness, so use a deep conditioner weekly, especially for bleached hair (platinum and pearl).
- Protect your color: Avoid excessive heat styling, use heat protectant sprays, and limit sun exposure to prevent fading. For vibrant shades like strawberry blonde or golden blonde, use a color-depositing conditioner to refresh the hue.
- Touch up roots: Reapply dye to roots every 4-6 weeks, depending on growth. For high-maintenance shades like platinum or smoky blonde, touch-ups may be needed sooner.
Tips for Specific Shades
Safety Tips
- Always do a patch test 48 hours before dyeing to check for allergic reactions.
- Work in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling fumes.
- Never mix bleach or dye with other chemicals not specified in the kit.
- If your hair is damaged or over-processed, consult a professional before coloring.
