Yes, lighter hair can be low maintenance.

Whoever chooses an icy platinum or bright butter blonde needs a major reality check: while these shades are undoubtedly cool and eye-catching, they’re both very high maintenance. Not only will you need to visit a salon every six weeks or so for root touch-ups, but you’ll also need to be very gentle with your now delicate hair, treating it to shampoos with bonding repair products, moisturizing hair masks and brass-destroying purples.
While the end result makes the extra effort worth it, there are other colors of blonde hair to try if you’re a less maintenance-prone person. Enter: dark blonde hair.
“The less contrast there is between natural and dyed colors, the less maintenance there is when the roots grow,” says celebrity hairstylist and evo hair International Color Creative Director Tom Smith of the hair color collection. “Dark blonde has natural, rustic undertones that look soft and pleasing compared to the skin tones of people with darker natural hair colors.”
How to choose a dark blonde hair color
The beauty of this color is that it can be adapted to your foundation, whether you are currently a light blonde or a dark brunette. “If you’re already blonde and want to add depth, I recommend adding dark blonde panels or subtly placing lowlights to reduce the overall depth of your hair without losing the dimension and contrast that makes blonde hair look ‘vibrant,'” ” says Smith.
For brunettes, the colorist recommends “using a dark blonde shade as a balayage highlight to avoid changing the entire base color-you can gradually increase it until you feel it’s bright enough.” If you’re adding dark blonde tones to a lighter base color, Smith says to start with “darker panels away from your natural parting to play up your feel more richly and deeply.”
How to care for dark blonde hair
While purple shampoo is often touted as the holy grail product for blondes, Natalie Sibert, senior stylist and colorist at Mirror Mirror Salon in Austin, Texas, says dark blondes should avoid it-especially if you’re a natural brunette.
“Don’t use purple shampoo because it will cancel out the yellow. Instead, use a blue shampoo a few times a month because the blue will offset the orange or brassiness,” the colorist shares. You can also return to the salon for toning.
Moving forward, 10 dark blonde hair colors seen on celebrities can inspire you to think about this color. Read through the looks, then save your favorites and show them to your stylist in the salon.
The best dark blonde hair color
Jennifer Aniston

“Browder is a great option for people who want to get lighter because it’s a great halfway mark,” says Sibert. “Instead of going from one extreme to the other and totally freaking yourself out, this is a great way to ease your way into the world of blondes.” The colorist sees Jennifer Aniston’s color as the quintessential representation of bronzed hair.
Dear Blondie
Beyoncé could write the rulebook for sweet blonde hair. In recent years, warm, rich tones have become her signature look, and here, her bouncy curls really showcase her definition of color.
Winter Gold

While sun-kissed blondes guide your hair to naturally lighten up when you spend time outdoors in the summer, “Winter Blonde” is a cooler weather version of this look. “It blends neutral, plain undertones (for natural brunettes) with golden reflections (usually for lighter undertones) to provide a soft, wearable tone for those with naturally lighter or darker hair,” Smith said of the color trend. Leave it to Kaia Gerber’s blonde dark blonde to serve as reference material for stylists.
Cookies and Cream Blonde

Ciara The contrast between the dark base and the dark gold highlights in one word? Palatable.
Face frame dark blonde

For year-round sun-kissed hair, opt for dark blonde highlights like Priyanka Chopra Jonas. The warm tones brighten the face and it will pop when your hair is styled in loose waves like Chopra Jonas’ hair.
Tips for dark blonde hair
If you’re a brunette who doesn’t want to go full blonde, try dipping the ends of your hair into a warm honey hue for a subtle pop of color, like Tia Mowry did with her naturally curly hair.
Mushroom Blonde

Mushrooms were the inspiration for the hair color, but Lily-Rose Depp’s color proves that the reference material can translate into gorgeous blonde shades. Cooler shades of dark blonde are a great alternative to warm tones like honey blonde.
Rooty dark blonde

For the edgy dark blonde, Laverne Cox’s contrasting dark roots and warm blonde gradient highlights were just the ticket.
Dark blonde braids

Although Issa Rae has chocolate brown hair, she adds a few strands of honey blonde to her brand to create a luxurious, striking look.’
Dark blonde with low light

If you’re already a blonde and want to go darker this season, or if you just want a change, Sibert recommends Low Light. “It will make your hair look darker and make it easier for you to want to lighten up again in the spring without having to do a full color correction,” says the colorist.