Embracing a new hair color usually means stepping into a bold or dramatic look. Dark cherry red, cowboy copper and icy platinum blonde are just a few of the buzzy shades that come to mind. But there’s beauty in subtlety and the latest trendy shade, old money blonde, proves it. Subdued, sophisticated and never over-the-top, the hue has quickly become one of the most popular types of blonde. “Demure and mindful are the best ways to describe this hair color,” says Min Kim, colorist and L’Oréal Professionnel Global Ambassador. As the summer begins to fade, the shade is shaping up to be the perfect autumnal blonde. Below, the experts weigh in on everything you need to know to achieve the look.
Featured experts
- Min Kim is a colorist and L’Oréal Professionnel Global Ambassador
- Sabrina Bias is a blonde specialist and L’Oréal Professionnel Ambassador
- Maddy Davies is Redken expert and colorist at Rodney Cutler Salon
What is Old Money Blonde?
There’s been a shift to softer, more natural looks in the beauty industry, including hair colors. With old-money blonde, Kim explains that it’s all about an effortless melt of tones. “In this shade, the natural hair is defined by rich ribbons of blonde that range from butter colors to beige,” she says. Redken expert and colorist at Rodney Cutler Salon, Maddy Davies, echoes this, noting that the hue typically has a seamless transition of light and shadows that make the underlying neutral tones pop.
If you’re sensing an effortlessly cool feeling around old money blonde, you’re not alone. According to Sabrina Bias, a blonde specialist and L’Oréal Professionnel Ambassador, the shade falls right in line with the quiet aesthetics that continue to be popular. “Old money blonde typically refers to the ‘if you know you know’ (IYKYK) aesthetic,” she says. Similar to cool-girl fashion brands like The Row, she explains that it’s mostly about having a type of blonde hair that appears natural.
How to Achieve Old Money Blonde
Some blonde hues can be tricky to pull off, but Davies says this shade isn’t one of them. “The color is incredibly versatile thanks to subtle tones that complement a variety of complexions.” Still, you’ll want to ensure you get the right shade for your skin tone. At the salon, she recommends asking for three key things: a natural blend of gold and creamy, a softly blended hairline, and ribbons of light and dark shades throughout the hair.
To achieve the look, Davies mentions that old-school methods such as hair foiling work best. “While hair painting is still popular, we’re now seeing a return to foiling, which perfectly captures the ‘old money’ trend,” she adds. It’s helpful to remember that this look isn’t one-note and requires some technique to get it right. “Old money blonde is best defined as grown-out and should look effortless,” says Kim. She recommends asking your stylist for a lived-in, rooty color.
Upkeep and Mantainence
Prioritizing a moisture-rich hair-care routine will be essential for helping prolong your color. “Detoxifying shampoos, such as L’Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox Shampoo ($36), will keep unwanted brassy tones away and hydrate your strands,” says Bias. Another expert tip for showering? Use cool or cold water. Davies says that cooler water temperatures help preserve the color by keeping the cuticles sealed during washing. To maintain the radiance and natural glow of your new hue, she recommends using a nourishing conditioner, such as Redken’s Acidic Color Gloss ($33). Not only will it smooth and add shine, but it also acts as a heat protectant during styling.
Old Money Blonde Inspiration
