How to Choose the Perfect Blond Hair Color

They say blondes have more fun - but only if they choose the right shade of blond. Here you’ll learn the right shade of blond for your skin coloring, along with the latest trends in getting that perfect blond hair color.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Clairol Perfect Highlighting Frost&Tip coloring

How to Choose the Perfect Blond for Fair Skin

1. Get to know your skin tone. If you are unsure what your skin tone is, seek the help of a professional who can give you advice. Those with light complexions should stick with a cool blond hair color. The cool undertones of the hair color, or absence of any red undertones, will counteract any pink or ruddiness in your skin coloring.

2. Decide how light you want to go. Remember--the farther you stray away from your natural hair color, the more upkeep will be required to touch up roots. Also, hair coloring can only lighten your hair so many levels on its own. If you have dark hair and want to go super light, bleaching and toning will be required. This two-step process is more expensive and may take a toll on your hair’s health.

3. For an all-over color, ask your stylist for either a cool blond shade with a subtle golden hue or one of the hot new pastel blonds.

4. Consider tone-on-tone highlights. This is another great way to go blond. Ask your stylist to color your hair a medium blond and add in some lighter blond highlights for a sun-kissed effect that’s natural but radiant.

5. If you plan on coloring your hair at home, don’t attempt to lighten your hair any more than two to three shades. Trying to go from brunette to blond at home is usually asking for trouble because the home hair coloring kits don’t have enough strength. You’ll end up with brassy or yellow hair.

6. Be sure to invest in the right products once your hair has been lightened. A good shampoo and conditioner for colored hair is a must.

How to Choose the Perfect Blond for Medium Skin Tones

7. Get to know your skin tone. If you are unsure what your skin tone is, seek the help of a professional who can give you advice.

8. Consider yourself lucky if you have medium skin tones. You have the most choices, since your skin tones go with a multitude of blond hues.

9. Decide how light you want to go, keeping in mind that roots show up sooner the lighter you go.

10. Ask your stylist for advice and have her show you some options. You have a wide range to choose from so let a professional help you narrow it down.

11. Avoid a blond hair color that is too stark. Though most blonds will look good on you, skip the platinum blonds or blonds with a very yellow tone to them.

12. Try a honey blond with subtle highlights around the face for a natural but gorgeous effect.

13. Experiment. Ask your stylist to apply three colors to your hair. A base color in a medium to light blond with a lighter blond added for highlights and a slightly darker blond added for low lights. The blending of these three colors gives the hair a rich and multi-dimensional look.

14. Remember to invest in hair-care products that will pamper your newly colored hair. A shampoo and conditioner for colored hair will keep your locks looking healthy.

15. Try one of the hair color lines made specifically for blondes if you plan on coloring your hair at home. These will help you match your natural hair color with the blond you want.

How to Choose the Perfect Blond for Dark Skin Tones

16. Get to know your skin tone. If you are unsure what your skin tone is, seek the help of a professional who can give you advice.

17. Avoid any blond that has yellow undertones if you have dark or olive skin tones.

18. Ask a stylist to recommend a flattering hue of blond hair color for you. Your blond hair color should have deep golden hues to it. Avoid very light blonds as they won’t work with your darker skin tone.

19. Try asking your stylist to add subtle honey blond highlights in the front and side sections of your hair to draw attention to your face and features.

20. Look for blond hair color labeled as dark golden blond or light golden brow if you plan to color at home. These will compliment your coloring.

Tips & Warnings

• Carmen Electra is the perfect example of how a deep golden blond works for darker skin tones.
• For all blond hair colors, especially the lighter ones, invest in a shampoo made especially for blonds. It will help prevent your beautiful blond from turning brassy.
• Want a blond hair color that will really get noticed? Ask your stylist for the smuding technique. Starting at the roots, panel of progressively darker blond are applied throughout the hair to the ends. This gives a gradual lightening effect.

[yorkshirelass]

on 8/23/2008 Hi, I'm a natural redhead(medium auburn)with a light complexion, freckles and blue grey eyes. I just bought the Revlon frost&glow highlight kit. My question is what shade of blonde should I go. I'm not sure if I should go ash or golden. I've tried finding out if my skin is warm or cool toned and everything I do contradicts the other. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a mil in advance.

[nesmockin]

on 6/26/2007 Have you ever thought of trying red (or some shade thereof)? Your coloring is exactly like mine and for years I did a medium-light (level 7 or so) red with a little brown to keep it from looking harsh. I got compliments all the time. Thing is, red doesn't stay rich looking for very long so you might want to go a bit more robust so it will last...just a thought. Good luck!

[shewolf1962]

on 12/27/2006 i dont have a comment but a question i cant get any answers i hope you can help i have VERY white skin and very brown eyes and i want to find the right inhome hair color but dont know what color would be best for me im 44 and single and newly divorced and need some confidence and a change my natural color is mousy brown please help thanks angie [e-mail]