How to Choose the Right Shade of Blonde for Your Season?
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
Embracing your color season does not necessarily mean that you have to stick only to your natural hair color. Of course, your natural hair color will always suit you, and we’re all about embracing your natural features! Sometimes, you might want to change things around a bit and try something new. Blonde is perfect for that.
This article delves into the different shades of blonde and how to find the best shade of blonde for you. Not all tones of blonde are equal, and not every season looks good with the same shade. Some seasons do much better with highlights rather than full blonde, some need warm honey tones, others need ashier tones.
Below is a guide on how to choose the right shade of blonde for your color season.
The "Natural" Blondes: Light Seasons
Blonde hair is known to suit the Light seasons like Light Summer and Light Spring and even True Spring. These are the color seasons, where natural blonde hair is common and where different tones of blonde work harmoniously. They are the typical seasons you’d think of when thinking of blonde hair. These seasons often have naturally lighter hair color or a complexion that can effortlessly carry blonde.
Blonde for Light Summers
Many Light Summers have naturally blonde hair in the range of level 7 to level 10. Hence, Light Summers are able to pull off many tones of blonde - highlights, balayage, full-head of blonde, everything! The main rule of thumb to keep in mind is that cooler and ashier tones work better than warm ones.
Some colors that work well for Light Summers are the following (both all-over and as highlights/balayage):
Light Ash Blonde
Medium Ash Blonde
Dark Ash Blonde
Scandinavian Blonde
Soft Platinum
Pearl Blonde
Champaign Blonde
Tip: keep it on the cooler and ashier side and softer.
Avoid: anything too warm, brassy or yellow-y.
Blonde for Light Springs
Many Light Springs also have naturally blonde hair in the range of level 6 up to a 10. Because of this and the overall light features, Light Springs look fantastic in many different shades of blonde. The main thing to keep in mind is that warmer shades look better than cooler ones. As a Light Spring, both highlights/balayage and all-over blonde can work.
Some great blonde tones for Light Springs include (both as all-over and highlights/balayage):
Honey Blonde
Strawberry Blonde
Light Golden Blonde
Dark Blonde
Medium Golden Blonde
Buttery Blonde
Peach-Toned Blonde
Tip: Keep the color warmer and more golden and honey-toned.
Avoid: colors that are too ashy.
Blonde for True Springs
True Spring is another season where natural blonde can be found in the range of 6-7 typically. Many True Springs look fantastic in warm golden blonde, so long as the undertone of the color is warm. As a True Spring, remember, warmth always comes first. Both highlights/balayage and an all-over blonde can work well.
Some shades of blonde that suit True Springs include (both as all-over and highlights/balayage):
Golden Blonde
Dark Blonde
Strawberry Blonde
Honey Blonde
Sunflower Blonde
Toffee Blonde
Golden Highlights
Tip: Always keep the tone warm and golden and honey-toned.
Avoid: Platinum blonde and ash blonde shades as well as blonde that is too light.
Soft Highlight Blondes: Muted Seasons
Some seasons are born for blonde highlights rather than an all-over blonde. Seasons like Soft Autumn, Soft Summer, True Autumn and True Summer can all rock highlights as long as the depth and undertone are right. Full all-over light blonde might not be the most harmonious choice, but blonde highlights and/or balayage in the right shade can be a stunning option.
Blonde for Soft Summers
Soft Summers often have naturally dark blonde or light brown hair in the range of levels 5-7, so dark blonde and dark ash shades suit well. Soft Summers often look amazing with subtle cool blonde or ashy highlights. Just keep the shade cool and softer.
Some blonde tones that suit Soft Summers include:
Dark blonde
Dark ash blonde
Mushroom blonde
Ashy highlights or balayage 1-2 tones lighter than the base.
Tip: Stick to natural-looking dark blonde shades.
Avoid:
Blondes that are too bright and light, like platinum blonde.
Blondes that are too warm, brassy and yellow-y.
Harsh or high-contrast highlights or balayage/ombre.
Blonde Shades Soft Autumns
The natural hair colors for Soft Autumns can sit in the levels 4-7 range, meaning dark blonde, caramel and bronde tones can work very well. Soft Autumn often looks amazing with soft golden highlights or balayage. The rule of thumb is to keep the blonde warm and soft.
Some blonde tones that suit Soft Autumns include:
Dark blonde
Dark Golden Blonde
Bronde
Soft Golden Highlights/Balayage 1-2 tones lighter than the base.
Caramel Highlights/Balayage 1-2 tones lighter than the base.
Golden and caramel-toned highlights and balayage are actually some of your best hair colors!
Avoid:
Platinum (too bright)
Ashy tones (too cool)
All around blonde that is too light (not enough contrast).
Blonde for True Autumns
True Autumns need warmth. This season can look stunning with soft caramel or dark gold highlights/balayage added to their natural base. The main rule is to keep the undertone of the blonde as warm as possible and not to go too light. Highlights, balayage and ombre work much better than an all-over blonde.
Some highlights/balayage that work on a darker base include:
Caramel Highlights/Balayage/Ombre
Dark Gold Highlights/Balayage/Ombre
Honey-Gold Highlights /Balayage/Ombre
These tones are stunning and bring warmth and vibrance to your face!
Avoid:
Platinum blonde (too light and bright)
Ashy tones (too cool)
All around blonde that is too light (not enough contrast).
Blonde for True Summers
True Summers need some contrast in their appearance, which is why the natural cool brown shades (levels 3-6) often work best. However, if you want to dye your hair blonde, smoky and ashy blonde highlights are your best bet. Just make sure to always keep it cool-toned.
Some shades that can work:
Dark Ash Blonde
Ashy Blonde Highlights /Balayage/Ombre
Cool Dark Blonde Highlights /Balayage/Ombre.
Avoid:
Golden blondes (too warm).
Brassy and yellow-y tones.
Blonde that is too light (not enough contrast).
High-Contrast Blondes: Bright Seasons
Bright seasons usually have darker hair tones, which helps create the needed contrast. However, this does not mean that blonde cannot work. The blonde just needs to be vibrant, fresh, glossy and match the undertone. Anything too ashy or bland will fall flat.
Blonde for Bright Springs
The natural hair color of Bright Springs can vary, but it is usually on the darker end, giving the appearance of contrast. This contrast is very much needed for Bright Springs, but if you want to dye your hair blonde, a very vibrant and bright golden or caramel blonde can work. The blonde must be as vibrant and clear as the Bright Spring's natural coloring to truly shine. High contrast is key.
Blondes for Bright Spring:
Bright Strawberry
Bright Golden Blonde
Bright Caramel
Bright golden or caramel highlights/balayage
Avoid:
Blonde that is too light and does not provide contrast.
Blonde that is too ashy or dull.
Blonde for Bright Winters
Bright Winters have high contrast and usually hair that is naturally very dark. However, due to the high chroma, one shade that can work unusually well for Bright Winters is bright platinum blonde, especially platinum highlights on a dark base.
Platinum Blonde
White Blonde
Silver
Platinum highlights/balayage/ombre on a dark base (high contrast option).
The shade must be clear, intense, and high contrast to match the vivid features.
Avoid:
Blondes that are too muted like ash blonde.
Blondes that are too warm like golden blonde.
Overall, Bright Winter usually look best in hair colors in the natural range which is usually a cool black or cool dark brown, but if you want to go blonde, than platinum blonde is the best option. Other types of blonde just don’t provide enough contrast and brightness.
Blonde for True Winters
Like Bright Winter, True Winters typically have naturally dark hair in the range of level 1-5. Hence, blonde can look rather unnatural, but if you want to dye your hair blonde, you can try a bright and cool platinum or some cool blonde highlight or balayage. Always keep the undertone cool.
Cool blonde highlights or balayage with contrasting darker roots
Platinum blonde
Platinum blonde highlights/balayage/ombre on dark base (high-contrast).
Avoid:
Golden blondes (too warm).
Ashy blondes (too muted).
Dark Seasons: Blonde May Not be Best
Deep seasons may find that a full head of blonde can wash out their features and just look odd. Deep seasons do much better with rich brunettes, blacks, and dark mahoganies. If blonde is still desired, the key is to keep it subtle and to maintain some depth. Highlights are almost always the best option, keeping the darker root to still provide the needed contrast.
Blonde for Deep Winters
Deep Winters can try icy or silver highlights on a dark base. These cool, bright highlights provide a striking contrast. Ombre or highlights with high contrast but dark roots is often ideal.
Avoid:
Golden blonde
All over ash blonde
Strawberry blonde
All over light blonde.
Blonde for Deep Autumns
Deep Autumns can try subtle caramel highlights on a dark base. The warmth of the highlights should complement their deep, warm undertones, while the dark base preserves their inherent depth. Avoid light roots.
Avoid:
Platinum
Ash blonde
All over light blonde
Tips for Choosing Your Blonde Tone
Regardless of your season, a few universal principles apply when venturing into the world of blonde:
Maintain Your Undertone: This is perhaps the most crucial rule. If you are a Spring or Autumn (warm seasons), stick to golden, honey, or buttery blondes. If you are a Summer or Winter (cool seasons), opt for ash, platinum, or icy blondes. Going against your natural undertone can result in a color that clashes with your skin, making you appear sallow or ruddy.
Respect Your Depth: Especially for deep seasons, maintaining your natural depth is vital. This often means keeping your roots darker or opting for balayage that blends seamlessly from your natural color. A stark, all-over light blonde can overwhelm deep features.
Chroma Matters: Your chroma, or the clarity/softness of your coloring, should also guide your choice. Bright seasons need clear, saturated blonde tones, while soft or muted seasons will look best in blended, less intense shades.
Comments