Are you thinking about going ash blonde? We get it: it makes your features pop. It is also modern and cool. However, you might want to think twice about dashing down to buy bleach because it is important to know what shade will suit you, how to achieve it, and how to avoid having that tone turn yellow.
What Is Ash Blonde Hair?
Ash blonde is a cool-toned color. It has soft, silver, or blue undertones, and produces a smoky finish that makes the hair look naturally, softly, and elegantly looking. It comes in an array of colors that range from dark ash blondes to light shades.
Who Does Ash Blonde Hair Suit?
Ash blonde can be gorgeous, but it does not fit everyone. Not sure it will suit you before you make that commitment? Here is how to tell whether it might be or you may be better suited with an alternative variation.
By Skin Tone: Ash blonde best suits you if you have a cool or neutral skin, e.g., pink/blue undertones. It provides a hint of brightness to cool skin colors without drastic contrast.
However, ash blonde can also suit medium and darker complexions. This would usually require diligent upkeep to prevent fading.
By Eye Color: Ash blond tends to make cooler eye colors pop. For example, if you have pale blue, gray, or cool green eyes, ash blonde can add vibrance to your look.
By Natural Hair Color: Your starting hair color matters. Ash blonde is easiest to achieve when you start with lighter bases. For instance, if you already have a natural blonde, switching to ash blonde is pretty easy.
However, in case your initial color is dark brown or black, you will most probably have to bleach most of your hair color to achieve an ash blonde result. This is why specialists advise you to visit a professional if your desired color is much different than your natural hair color.
What Shade of Ash Blonde Should You Try?
Choosing the right ash blondes can make or mar your look. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular shades:
Light Ash Blonde
In case you desire a dramatic, modern appearance, then this is your shade. Light ash blonde is a very light (near platinum) cool color. It appears silver or ice and with just a glimpse of grey to warm it up. It’s high-maintenance (any yellow tint will be glaring), but when done well, it creates a striking look.
Dark Ash Blonde
Think of this as a cooler version of dirty blonde. Dark ash blends blonde and light brown shades to give a rich, subtle ashy appearance. If you’re a brunette looking to go blonde, dark ash is a good start. It doesn't require as much lightening as a pale blonde. Moreover, it can create a subtle contrast like dark roots fading into ash ends.
Silver Ash Blonde
This shade looks particularly sleek under cool light. Silver ash is cooler and slightly darker than pure platinum. You can apply it as balayage or highlights on a lighter base. It should be your go-to if you desire a metallic-silver elegance on your blonde.
Icy Ash Blonde
If high-contrast looks are your thing, then you should think icy ash blonde hair. It’s essentially a platinum blonde with no warmth. It is the most extreme ash shade and is sometimes called white ash blonde. Stylists achieve this shade by lifting the hair to almost white, then toning with a pale ash (blue/purple) toner. The result is a near-white blonde. Icy ash blonde is a delicate shade, though; it is very susceptible to brassiness.
Ash Blonde Balayage/Ombré
Ash blonde can also be used as highlights or balayage with many darker hair colors, giving a chic pop to the base color. In a balayage, the stylist hand-paints ash blonde highlights into brown or darker blonde hair to create a natural gradation effect. The other coloring method that you can experiment with is Ombré: this is the process of creating a graded effect in the strands where the hair becomes lighter towards the ends of the hair.
In case you are more inclined towards something softer or low-care, dark blonde can be your middle point. Check out Dark Blonde Hair Ideas: Shades, Styles, and Expert Tips.
How to Achieve Ash Blonde Hair
Going ash blonde requires picking a good color and getting the base and tone exactly right. Below is an outline on how to safely and successfully achieve that cool ash blonde look.
Bleaching (Dark/Warm Hair)
You have to lift up your hair to a light yellow-blonde level before adding ash tone. It is recommended to never lift more than 2-3 levels at once to protect your hair. So, you may need multiple, well-spaced appointments to reach the right pale base without damaging your hair. Do not rush the lifting process; give your hair enough time to recover.
Neutralizing
Once you get the pale look, the next thing is how to tone yellow hair to ash blonde. This usually involves using a blue/green toner to cancel yellow or orange pigments. GK Hair’s Bombshell Shampoo comes in handy here. It’s multipurpose: it cleanses your hair and counteracts yellow and orange tones, keeping your blonde bright and healthy.
Applying Ash Dye/Toner
Finally, use an ash blonde hair color to impart those gray/blue undertones, and voila! You have your elegant, glistening ash blonde. You should do a strand test and skin patch test first, though. This allows you to know how the toner will work on your hair and see if there are any side effects to watch out for.
Ash Blonde Hair Maintenance Tips
Here is a guide to preserving the freshness, color and health of your ash blonde hair.
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Use a purple shampoo 1-3 times a week to counteract the yellow tint.
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Avoid using high-heat tools on bleached hair more than twice a week.
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Protect your hair during heat styling with GK Hair’s ThermalStyleHer.
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Apply a toning masque or gloss every few weeks to refresh the ash tone.
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Lock in tone and hydration with GK Hair’s Lock Me Color Masque weekly.
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Limit washing to 2–3 times per week to preserve your hair color.
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Say no to clarifying shampoos unless you are going into a color treatment.
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Apply a serum, such as GK Hair’s Argan Oil Serum, to remove frizz and provide shine to the color-treated hair.
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Get professional toning or gloss done on a bi-monthly basis.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Pitfalls to be avoided in keeping your hues clean are as follows:
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Avoid skipping toner after bleaching, as it can lead to unwanted yellow or orange tones.
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Do not over-bleach in one session. It damages the hair and increases breakage.
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Wash your hair only when necessary in order to prevent the strands from becoming dry and faded.
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Do not heat style without a protectant. It dulls your tone and weakens hair over time.
Bottom Line
If you’re considering ash blonde, you should also consider the required commitment. Whenever you’re in doubt, talk to a professional colorist. They can recommend which ash shade best suits your skin and style. If you already have a blonde, you need GK Hair’s Blonde Bag. It’s a collection specially curated to minimize brassiness and preserve vibrancy in blondes.
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