When you’re itching for a change, there’s only one thing that can satisfy: new hair. If you’re ready to go blonde or go home, we’re here to help. With so many shades and techniques to choose from, it’s a little more complex than just reaching for some bleach. Are you a honey-blonde hottie or a “dishwater blonde” diva? We have all the tips and tricks you need to find the right blonde for your skin tone.
Featured Experts
- Melissa Wade Smith is a hairstylist and hair artistry educator at Zotos Professional
- Rogério Cavalcante is a master hairstylist and owner of The Second Floor Salon
- Dimitris Giannetos is a celebrity hairstylist and L’Oréal Paris League of Experts
What to Consider When Going Blonde
According to Melissa Wade Smith, hairstylist and hair artistry educator at Zotos Professional, there’s one thing every hair expert considers when a client wants to go blonde.
“Choosing the right blonde is all about finding the hue that best complements your unique skin tone,” Wade Smith explains. “Other considerations are lifestyle and maintenance preferences. Being blonde involves a commitment to upkeep. Some blonde tones require more upkeep than others, and for someone with a busy schedule, choosing a low-maintenance shade can make all the difference.”
Rogério Cavalcante, master hairstylist and owner of The Second Floor Salon, notes that contrast is also a key factor. “Aside from personal preference, which I believe is the most important factor, I also consider skin undertone and the amount of contrast a person’s features can handle,” Cavalcante says. “Think about what you want from your hair look—Do you want the hair to complement you in a harmonious way or in a striking way that calls attention to it?”
The Right Blonde for Your Skin Tone
You need to know and understand your undertone if you’re going to find the perfect blonde for you.
“A basic rule is to match the hair color to the skin undertone. If your skin has a cool undertone, cooler blonde shades like ash blonde, pearl, platinum or icy tones will suit you,” explains Cavalcante. “Warmer shades like golden, beige, caramel or strawberry blonde work best for warm undertones.”
If you have a neutral undertone, you’ll need a more neutral blonde.
“For a shade of blonde that’s not too cool and not too warm, choose a neutral blonde shade like AGEbeautiful Permanent Liqui-Crème Hair Color [in] 10N blonde ($12) that balances a warmer gold with an icier blonde,” Wade Smith explains.
Pro Tip: Find Your Undertone
“If you don’t know your undertone, there are two easy tricks to find out,” explains Cavalcante. “Look at your veins. If they look green, you have warmer undertones; if they look blue or purple, you have cool undertones. Second, you can use fabric. Place a piece of silver fabric around your face and compare it to gold. If silver makes you look pale, you have warm undertones. If gold makes you look washed out or yellowish, you have cool undertones.”
Blonde for Cool Undertones
“Cooler skin tones will look best with ashier or platinum blondes as this cuts down any brassiness,” notes L’Oréal Paris League of Experts celeb hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos. “I love using the L’Oréal Paris Le Color Gloss Toning Hair Gloss ($14) to neutralize brassiness for any blonde look.”
If you’re between ash and platinum, Wade Smith says the choice depends on your personality.
“Cool undertones look great with a soft, cool blonde shade with an emphasis on ash with those grey undertones,” she explains. “For the more adventurous on a quest for an Icy Nordic Platinum blonde result, first lighten with AGEbeautiful Ultra Bond Crème Hair Lightener ($13) followed with AGEbeautiful Ultra Bond 5-Minute Express Toner Silver Moonlight ($11).”
Blonde for Warm Undertones
Those with warm tones will find that golden, honey and buttery shades complement them the most. If desired, this is where a brassy blonde becomes an option. These tones include trending looks like diet blonde, cashmere blonde and old money blonde.
“For warm undertones, choose a shade of blonde with warm honey tones or a rich buttery shade,” Wade Smith advises. “Options like Warm Beige Blonde ($12) and Very Light Golden Blonde ($12) are great choices.”
High-Impact Contrast and Beautiful Blends
Once you’ve decided on a favorite shade, you’ll need to choose how you want your result to look. Is it a balayage blonde? Is it a root-showing rock-and-roll blonde?
“If blonde would suit you, I then look at your facial features,” explains Cavalcante. “If you have sharp features like defined eyebrows and a strong jawline, a higher contrast look with darker roots and lighter highlights would complement you. If your features are softer, such as a round jawline and more fluid brows, a more blended, softer blonde will flatter you better.”