Although I've been a brunette my entire life, as soon as the sun makes an appearance and the temperature soars, I'm always tempted to go lighter. I usually opt for balayageor highlights to give my summer hair coloursome dimension, but each summer I feel a jolt of excitement of going just a little bit blonder. In fact, hairdressers and colourists often tell me that once you dabble with blonde, you never look back. However, choosing the right shade of blonde can be an overwhelming decision. So we enlisted the help of Jordanna Cobella, creative director of Cobella Salon and Wella Professionals craft expert, to talk us through blonde hair. Plus,I've saved the best blonde hair colour inspiration that I've found to provide some salon ideas.
What blonde hair colour suits me?
"When choosing the right shade of blonde, it's important to consider your skin tone, its undertone, and also your eye colour," says Cobella. "For people with cooler skin tones, ashier, cool-toned blonde shades suit them best. For warm skin tones, I recommend golden, honey-toned shades." It's also important to consider the maintenance that comes with going blonde. Depending on your hair colour and the colour application method that your hair colourist uses, you may need regular salon appointments to keep your hair colour looking its best. You'll also want to consider how much heat styling you use. "Before going blonde, consider your hair's current condition. Can it withstand going blonde? Think about your lifestyle. Going blonde can require regular upkeep to ensure it looks its best, with hair treatments or salon visits to liven up your blonde," she says.
(Image credit: @cassdimicco)
Want some blonde hair colour ideas? We're screenshooting Cass Dimicco's blonde hair colour for our next salon appointment.
What products are best for blonde hair?
To best prepare your hair for blonde, Cobella recommends some home haircare. "To make sure your hair is at its healthiest before going blonde, apply regular hair treatments, such as hair masks and oils. I recommend Wella Professionals Fusion Maskto help restore hair health and Wella Professionals Luminous Reflections Smoothing Oil to add hydration to your hair," she says. As well as treatments, selecting a good shampoo and conditioner is important to ensure your blonde hair colour lasts for longer. "I recommend my clients use a colour-protecting shampoo and conditioner to lock in colour. Wella Professionals Invigo Color Brilliance duois great for this, as it's pH-balancedand helps colour retention. It's also packed full of nourishing ingredients, helping hair moisture and shine," she says.
Blonde hair colour techniques
While balayage and highlights are ideal for blonde hair, hair glosses and glazes are ideal if you just want to refresh your blonde hair colour. "Glazes are fast becoming a buzzword for keeping blondes fresh in between traditional highlight or balayage treatments," says Cobella. "Wella Professionals Shinefinity in-salon service is perfect for adding a healthy shine to hair alongside toning it."Looking for some blonde hair colour ideas? Ahead are the best blonde hair colours we've found on celebrities and the fashion set. Get ready to book your hair appointment.
1. Bronde
(Image credit: @cassandra.cadwell)
Not quite blonde and not quite brunette, bronde sits as a happy medium between the two, and it is great if you're a natural brunette looking to add light and warmth to your hair colour.
(Image credit: @thatsaleaf)
We're practically mesmerised by these ribbons ofblonde placed through the hair, which is perfectly showcased in a plaited ponytail.
(Image credit: @celmatique)
Bronde looks beautiful on curls. Here, the base hair colour blends beautifully into blonde, and the expertly placed highlights make curls shine.
(Image credit: @aimeesong)
How pretty is this seamless transition from brunette to blonde?
2. Blonde Balayage
(Image credit: @jackhowardcolor)
Balayage is a colouring technique where your hair colourist hand-paints sections of your hair, which gives a natural, sun-kissed finish. What makes balayage so great is that it grows out naturally, so you're not left with a harsh line of regrowth. Hair colourist Jack Howard's balayage placements are works of art.
(Image credit: @laurencrowe88)
I am totally obsessed with this sun-kissed balayage.
(Image credit: @charlottemensah)
This summery blonde balayage is so pretty and highlights curls beautifully.
(Image credit: @cassdimicco)
Ask your hair colourist to apply blonde balayage around your hairline.It really pops when tied back into a ponytail.
(Image credit: @chrisappleton1)
Jennifer Lopez's hair is given dimension with blonde balayage and face-framing money pieces.
3. Honey Blonde
(Image credit: @beyonce)
Beyoncé is a prime example of honey-blonde hair. Think warm, caramel-like tones. It's the polar opposite of platinum-blonde hair, which is cooler-toned and ashy. Honey-blonde hair is flattering and a good middle ground if you want your blonde hair colour to be subtle.
(Image credit: @haileybieber)
We're screenshotting Hailey Bieber's honey-blonde hair for our next salon visit.
(Image credit: @jourdandunn)
We're in love with Jourdan Dunn's honey-blonde bob.
(Image credit: @rosiehw)
Would it be a blonde-hair article without Rosie Huntington-Whiteley? Absolutely not, and we have a lot of time for her honey-blonde hair colour.
4. Golden Blonde
(Image credit: @ebonyboadu)
Golden blonde is a notch up from honey blonde and has rich, multidimensional hues. Think honey, gold and buttery coloursthat reflect the light for an expensive-looking finish. Ebony Boadu's hair is a classic example of this rich hair colour.
(Image credit: @blakelively)
We're taking note of Blake Lively's golden tones.
(Image credit: @alicezielasko)
Golden-blonde hair in the sunshine is a winner. Tying the hair up with a claw clipreveals all of the tones in the hair.
(Image credit: @jordannacobella)
Golden-blonde hair and long '90s layers feel so current right now.
5. Butter Blonde
(Image credit: @haileybieber)
Buttery-blonde hair has a mixture of warm and cool tones, giving the hair dimension. Hailey Bieber has butter-blonde hair here.
(Image credit: @bluetitlondon)
The mixture of warm and cool buttery tones makes this hair colour multidimensional and expensive-looking.
(Image credit: @patrickwilson)
Jodie Comer's buttery-blonde highlights complement her skin tone.
6. Cream Blonde
(Image credit: @jhair_stylist)
Cream blonde balances cool tones with sumptuous placements of brighter blonde, so the result is multi-tonal and light.
(Image credit: @hungvanngo)
This creamy colour looks beautiful on shoulder-length hair.
(Image credit: @annelauremais)
Cream-blonde highlights look so chic.
(Image credit: @amy_lawrenson)
Cool-toned cream ribbons of balayage look so pretty on top of a darker blonde base.
(Image credit: @larrykinghair)
This is your sign to experiment with a cream-blonde money piece to frame your features.
7. Ash Blonde
(Image credit: @jordannacobella)
If you're looking for a cool-toned blonde hair colour, ash might be the next blonde hair colour to try.
(Image credit: @charlottemensah)
Ash-blonde placements around the hairline draw attention to your features.
(Image credit: @joannacoops)
These ash tones add lustre to a darker blonde base.
(Image credit: @jhair_stylist)
I screenshotted this immediately.
(Image credit: @jordannacobella)
This is the definition of expensive-looking hair colour.
8. Biscuit Blonde
(Image credit: @michellerosedrumm)
Biscuit blonde has golden tones paired with cream. Think custard creams or rich tea biscuits for this good-enough-to-eat hair colour.
(Image credit: @jordannacobella)
Varying tones of biscuit blonde really enhance curls.
(Image credit: @nevillehairandbeautyofficial)
This blend of warm blonde and cream is beautiful.
(Image credit:
@charlottemensah)
These biscuit-blonde braids are perfect for summer weather.
(Image credit: @emmamoldt)
Slices of biscuit blonde look amazing on brunette hair too.
9. Oat Blonde
(Image credit: @rosiehw)
Oat-blonde hair colour is a hue down from platinum. Think more subdued and slightly warmer. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley has ribbons of oat blonde around her hairline here.
(Image credit: @joannacoops)
This hueis so glossy and expensive-looking.
(Image credit: @_jeanettemadsen_)
All the oat-blonde hair colour inspo we could need.
(Image credit: @hollyjone_s)
This cool-toned bun is our hair goals for summer.
(Image credit: @bluetitlondon)
This hue also looks so striking on a short pixie crop.
10. Platinum Blonde
(Image credit: @hannalhoumeau)
Platinum blonde is the boldest and lightest of blonde hair colours. Depending on your current hair colour, you may need a couple of salon appointments to gradually build up towards this striking shade. We're totally obsessed with these long platinum braids.
(Image credit: @billieeilish)
This short platinum blonde is such a look on Billie Eilish.
(Image credit: @meganadelaide)
We love this hue paired with a French-inspired fringe.
(Image credit: @adamreedlondon)
Razor-sharp hairstyles like this blunt bob are a perfect pairing with platinum.
The Best Products for Blonde Hair
Olaplex
No.4p Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo
You might already know that purple-toned shampoos and conditioners are ideal for keeping your blonde hair colour fresh. Olaplex's is loved by hairstylists and beauty insiders.
Wella Professionals Care
Wella Professionals Color Fresh Semi-Permanent Colour Mask - Pearl Blonde 150ml
"To keep blondes looking fresh and bright in-between appointments, I recommend them using a toning mask," says Cobella. "For ashier blondes who want to remove brassiness, Wella Professionals Color Fresh Mask in Pearl Blonde or Lilac Frost will help remove any yellow tones. What's great about these masks is that they not only tone the hair but also provide a hydrating treatment—perfect if you're unable to get to the salon."
Oribe
Bright Blonde Sun Lightening Mist
If you're jetting away to warmer climates and want to enhance your blonde naturally, spritz this through your lengths. It works best if your hair doesn't have hair dye and you want to enhance your natural colour. It contains lemon and chamomile extracts, which help enhance the sun's lightening effect on hair.
Color Wow
Root Cover Up Dark Blonde
Root regrowth can be a bugbear for blondes, but this powder formula instantly disguises root regrowth, so no one will need to know.
Aveda
Blonde Revival™ Purple Toning Conditioner
A good conditioner is essential for blonde hair, which can be susceptible to damage. Veda's conditioner is also purple-toned to counteract any yellow tones.
Wella Professionals Care
Oil Reflections Luminous Smoothing Oil
Blonde hair can sometimes look lacklustre, so keep a good hair oil to hand to add gloss and lustre to your lengths.
Up Next,Trust Us: These Summer 2022 Hair Trends Will Be All Over Your IG Feed
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