Going blonde can feel like a big commitment, especially if you’re starting with darker hair. If you’re curious about lightening up but aren’t ready for a dramatic shift, dark ash blonde is a great place to start. This cooler-toned shade combines a deeper base with subtle ashy hues, creating a modern, sophisticated look that’s softer and more approachable than brighter blondes.
Because it offers just the right balance of depth and dimension, dark ash blonde works well for those new to blonde as well as anyone looking to refresh their current color with a cooler edge. Ahead, we’ll cover what dark ash blonde hair is, how to achieve the look, the best ways to maintain your color, and plenty of inspiration for trying the trend yourself.
Dark ash blonde hair is a cool-toned shade that blends deeper blonde and light brown hues with subtle, silvery undertones. The result is a soft yet striking color that offers dimension and a polished, modern finish. Sometimes referred to as mushroom blonde, this shade is known for its versatility—it works beautifully across seasons and complements a wide range of skin tones.
While it might sound similar to light ash brown, the two shades are distinct. Light ash brown leans more into brunette territory with cooler brown tones, whereas dark ash blonde stays firmly in the blonde family, with its signature ashy, silvery finish. This makes it an ideal option for those who want to experiment with blonde without committing to a brighter or higher-maintenance shade.
There are two ways that you can get a dark ash blonde hair color: In the salon or at home. Leave your makeover to the pros if you’re starting with very dark hair or have damaged strands—a seasoned colorist will be able to lighten your hair to the appropriate level while minimizing the risk of additional damage. It’s also a good idea to visit a colorist if you’re looking to get dark ash blonde highlights or balayage, as perfecting these techniques at home can take time.
If, however, your starting color is on the lighter side and you’re aiming for a full color transformation, you can take the DIY approach. Keep reading for a run-down of the process, plus a look at some of our favorite dark ash blonde hair dyes for the job.
Even though dark ash blonde is on the darker side, it’s still blonde—which means that, unless you’re starting with platinum strands, you’ll likely need to lighten your hair to achieve your desired hue. To bleach your strands without heading to the salon, we suggest picking up the L’Oréal Paris Colorista At-Home Hair Bleach & Lightener. Follow the instructions included with the kit and lighten your hair to a light white-blonde hue. If you’re not sure how to DIY a bleach job, we break down the process in How To Bleach Your Hair at Home and Keep Your Blonde Bright.
Any time you lighten your hair, you run the risk of developing brassiness—a yellow or orangey tint that can make your hair look unnaturally warm. Because dark ash blonde is a distinctly cool color, you’ll want to eliminate all traces of warmth before applying your hair dye. This will help ensure that your final result appears bright and vibrant rather than dull or muddled. To neutralize unwanted warmth, we recommend using a violet-tinted gloss or toner, such as the L’Oréal Paris Féria Power Toner in Ice Blonde. The ammonia-free formula diminishes brass and infuses the hair with cool tones, with results lasting up to three weeks. You can also use it between color touch-ups, as needed, to refresh your ashy dark blonde hair color.
Once you’ve bleached and toned your hair to a light, icy blonde, you can apply your chosen ash blonde hair dye. For a classic cool, dark blonde, we love the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Dark Ash Blonde. The easy-to-use kit delivers rich, luminous color that stays vibrant for up to nine weeks. Applying it is a breeze, too, thanks to the formula’s unique gel texture. Simply apply the dye from root to tip to cover every strand, allow the formula to process for the allotted amount of time, then rinse, condition, and enjoy your new dark ash blonde hue.
If you’re familiar with hair color, you know blonde shades need a little extra TLC to stay vibrant. That means updating your routine to keep your new dark ash blonde hue looking fresh and healthy. Here are a few tips to help maintain your color and keep your style at its best.
After coloring your hair, you’ll want to be sure to use a shampoo and conditioner that won’t strip away your fresh color. Look for a duo designed for color-treated hair, such as the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Bond Repair Shampoo and coordinating L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Bond Repair Conditioner. Together, this pair gently cleanses, conditions, and helps strengthen damaged, color-treated hair, leaving your strands softer, silkier, and more resilient over time. If your hair is especially damaged, you can also pre-treat your mane with the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Bond Strengthening Pre-Shampoo Treatment, which helps reinforce weak hair bonds to minimize breakage.
Unless you have natural dark ash blonde hair, there’s a good chance you’ll notice your strands becoming brassy over time. While you can hit the salon for a dark ash blonde toner treatment to restore your hair’s cool tones, doing so isn’t strictly necessary: swapping in a quality purple shampoo every now and then will get the job done, too. We’re partial to the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Purple Shampoo, which is designed specifically for lightened hair. Lather up with the violet-tinted formula once per week to neutralize brass and revive your hair’s icy blonde tones.
Coloring your hair can be drying, so to keep your mane looking its best, we recommend deep conditioning at least once per week to give your hair some TLC. If your hair appears fried or feels brittle, try the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Damage Erasing Balm Rinse-Out Treatment. It’s made with a 16% ceramide + repair concentrate and helps target the visible signs of damage, leaving your hair smooth, strong, and intensely nourished. Alternatively, you can combine two steps into one by reaching for a purple hair mask, like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Anti-Brass Purple Mask Treatment, which neutralizes stubborn brass and nourishes dry, color-treated hair in as little as five minutes.
As you (probably) know, heat styling can take a toll on your hair. To keep your new hue looking healthy and vibrant—and keep breakage to a minimum—it’s best to take a break from heat styling. Opt for heatless hairstyles when you can and focus on looks that work with your natural texture. If you must heat style your hair, be sure to prep your strands well with a quality heat protectant. The L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Moisture 21-in-1 Leave-In Conditioner is one of our favorites—it detangles, fights frizz, moisturizes the hair, and protects strands against temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, it’s designed for color-treated hair, so you don’t have to worry about it interfering with your ashy hue.
Finally, keep in mind that to maintain your dark ash blonde hair color, you’ll need to pencil in time for touch-ups. We recommend setting aside an hour or so every four to six weeks to touch up your roots, especially if you have dark hair and your regrowth is noticeable. If you miss a touch-up session, you can temporarily cover up your roots with a color spray, such as the L’Oréal Paris Magic Root Cover-Up in Dark Blonde. Simply spritz it onto your roots, brush it through your hair, and allow the formula to dry for seamless coverage that lasts until your next shampoo.
Convinced to try dark ash blonde for your next hair color? Keep scrolling for a few of our favorite ways to wear the trendy tone.
Balayage is a popular hair coloring technique that involves hand-painting individual strands of hair to create natural-looking depth and dimension. In this take on the look, silver and wheat blonde highlights are woven throughout a dark ash blonde base, creating a bright, cool blonde that feels totally effortless.
This smokey dark ash blonde hair color is perfect for those seeking a slightly edgier look. Featuring prominent silver and gunmetal tones, the moody hue bridges the gap between blonde and gray, making for an unexpected take on the classic cool blonde hair color. The shade’s noticeable gray tones also make it the perfect in-between hue for anyone looking to grow out their grays.
If you love the look of dark ash blonde hair but don’t want to commit to a full head of bleach, consider simply adding dark ash blonde highlights to your brunette hair. You’ll get a punch of brightness and coolness without the maintenance required of an all-over blonde hair color.
Another great option for those who prefer low-maintenance looks is a rooted hair color. With this approach, your stylist will carefully blend your natural roots with your ash blonde hair color, creating a seamless transition from root to tip. Because your roots are left intact, you can keep touch-ups to a minimum.
For a slightly lighter take on dark ash blonde, try mushroom blonde. This mid-toned blonde hue pairs silver tones with a cool blonde base for a bright yet subdued hair color that works beautifully in any season.
Yes, dark ash blonde can help cancel out orange tones. Ash-based dyes are formulated with cool pigments that neutralize brassiness, making them a great option if your hair tends to pull warm after lightening.
Permanent dark ash blonde dye typically lasts six to eight weeks before beginning to lose its luster, depending on your hair type and routine. To keep the color fresh, wash your hair less frequently, use a color-safe haircare system, and keep heat styling to a minimum. You can also use a toner or hair gloss to neutralize unwanted warmth and brighten your color between touch-ups.
Dark ash blonde doesn’t look grey, but its cool, silvery undertones can give the shade a muted effect. This makes it appear more subtle and toned down compared to golden or honey blondes.
Dark ash blonde is especially flattering on those with cool undertones, since the cool tones complement the skin’s natural coloring. With that being said, you should always feel free to embrace any hair color you want, even if it’s not technically a match for your undertone.
Next Up: How To Get Dark Brown Hair With Blonde Highlights
Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris
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