15 Ways to Flaunt a Trendy Icy Blonde Hair Color

A light, cool-toned hue with hints of beige, icy blonde hair color is extremely flattering on different skin tones. While 2023 has welcomed new hair color trends, icy, platinum blonde will always remain a popular favorite. The nice part is, there are so many ways to make this popular shade your own, from blonde highlights to dimensional balayage. 

If you’re wondering which version of this cool hair color may look best on you, keep reading, as we’re sharing 15 ways to try out icy blonde hair color this year. 

What Color Is Icy Blonde Hair?

Icy blonde hair color is bright, ashy and cool-toned. It doesn’t have the warmth that a honey blonde or strawberry blonde hair color has. Icy blonde is similar to platinum blonde in terms of brightness but icy blonde hair has a bigger emphasis on ashy tones. Overall, it’s an edgy hair color with extreme brightness and cool tones that makes for a head-turning statement on many.

How Do I Get My Hair Icy Blonde?

Icy blonde hair requires rounds of bleaching and patience. The reason is that this color has no warmth so all traces of your natural base color needs to be stripped in order to achieve it. If you’re starting with a blonde base color, your journey to icy blonde strands is going to be easier than if you were starting off with a brunette base. But, keep in mind that for most, going icy blonde will take a few salon trips or hair color sessions before you reach your goal.

What's the Difference Between Icy Blonde and Platinum?

Platinum blonde is a bright blonde hue but it tends to have notes of yellow and overall warmth throughout. Icy blonde hair is ashy and cool-toned, often appearing white or even silver in color. The two definitely share similarities but icy blonde is the ashier, brighter shade of the two.

Is Icy Blonde Hard to Maintain?

Icy blonde is very difficult to maintain because it’s not a natural hair color and it doesn’t hide roots well. Along with that, icy blonde hair is highly susceptible to warm, brassy tones, so purple shampoo and frequent toning sessions are a must to maintain the color.

15 Ways to Sport an Icy Blonde Hair Color

If icy blonde sounds like your next shade, here are 15 gorgeous shades you can try to make the look your own.

1. Silver Blonde 

If a very cool-toned hair color is what you’re after, you can’t go wrong with a silver blonde shade. It has a beautiful balance of brightness and depth and it’s incredibly flattering on a wide variety of skin tones. Try it out with the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Soft Silver Blonde.

2. Smoked Marshmallow

If you’re in search of a low-maintenance icy color, smoked marshmallow hair features dark brown roots that blend seamlessly into an icy blonde hue. It’s a lived-in blonde hair color that proves to be a solid pick for those who want ultra-light hair without the hassle of constant root touch-ups.

3. Icy, White-Blonde Highlights

Icy, white-blonde highlights are a gorgeous way to brighten your base color. Since this technique requires bleaching and proper placement of highlights, book an appointment with your colorist to achieve the look. 

4. Dirty Silver Blonde

You’re probably familiar with the timeless dirty blonde hair trend, but an ashy take on the hue, dirty silver blonde hair, is gaining popularity. Featuring a dark root smudge technique that melts into a white-silvery blonde hue, dirty silver blonde falls right in line with a cool girl aesthetic. Plus, it’s great for those with a dark base color that want to go icy because it spotlights darker roots and lighter ends.

5. Sandy Platinum Blonde 

If you’re intrigued by the brightness of an icy hue but want something that leans neutral, this is no doubt the shade for you. It maintains its ultra-light integrity while holding onto a hint of sandy color. The L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Very Light Natural Blonde is a great option if you’re opting for a DIY dye session. 

6. Ash Blonde 

This icy blonde hue is a gorgeous middle ground between cool icy tones and classic, warm blonde shades. Best of all, you can customize this shade to suit your style, going as light or as dark as you, please. Give it a light shot with the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Lightest Ash Blonde. Alternatively, go darker with the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Dark Ash Blonde.

7. White Blonde 

Without a doubt the iciest shade you can sport is a white blonde hair color. Although it lacks pigmentation, it’s bold and eye-catching in its own way. If you're starting with a dark base color, try the L'Oréal Paris Féria Platinum Bounce Bond Care Lightening System. Ideal for light brown to dark hair, this kit lightens hair of all textures up to eight levels at home and includes an anti-brass treatment.

8. Pearl Blonde

Icy shades have an intense brightness to them 一 but they don’t always need to be completely cool-toned. If you want to dip your toes into the icy hair color world while maintaining some warmth, give the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Ultra Pearl Blonde a go. It’s incredibly light and bright with a sunny tint to it. 

9. Icy Silver Purple 

You can still achieve an icy shade while playing with some out-of-the-box color and a pale, silver-purple hue is one of the best ways to get it. Offering a shimmery, bright finish with a subtle pop of color, it’s a great way to experiment with a playful hue. 

10. Icy Pastel Blue 

Pastel hair colors are trendy and fun and icy blue hair is another great way to play with color while maintaining a frosty look. Go for the bold look with the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Smokey Blue. This at-home hair color kit provides long-lasting color with enhanced shine and vibrancy.  

11. Bronde With Platinum Balayage 

If you prefer a richer color that incorporates hints of an icy shade, pair bronde hair with platinum balayage. The balayage technique will make the highlights appear natural and the platinum pieces will add brightness to the color while maintaining lots of dimension. 

12. Ash Blonde Hair With a Platinum Money Piece 

To add some dimension and subdued contrast to your hair, pair an ash blonde hair color with a platinum money piece. The ultra-bright, face-framing pieces will instantly illuminate your complexion without being a drastic departure from your base color. 

13. Icy Blonde Ombré 

If you’re looking for a low-maintenance way to rock an icy shade, getting icy blonde ombré hair is a great approach. Because your roots will be intentionally darker and gradually fade into a light shade towards the end, you won’t have to worry about frequent touch-ups at your roots. 

14. Icy Blonde Sombré 

If you like the idea of getting an ombré color but you prefer a more understated look, sombré is for you. It’s the same technique as ombré but it has a much more subtle gradation of color. 

15. Targaryen Blonde Stripe

An icy blonde skunk stripe is a fantastic way to get bright, cool-toned blonde hair color without allover bleaching. Section out an inch of hair on each side of your part and use the L’Oréal Paris Féria Hyper Platinum Advanced Lightening System Bleach in Hyper Platinum to create your skunk stripe.

How to Maintain Icy Blonde Hair Color 

Once you’ve achieved your desired icy hue, you’ll have to change up your hair care routine to keep it looking its best. Ahead, are three tips to keep your color in prime condition. 

1.  Use a Color-Safe Hair Care System 

To prevent your color from fading, it’s extremely important to use hair care products that are specially formulated for color-treated hair. The L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Bond Repair Pre-Shampoo Treatment, L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Bond Repair Shampoo with Citric Acid and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Bond Repair Conditioner with Citric Acid are great  for blondes because they’re all gentle on color while strengthening the hair and addressing damage that can often occur from bleaching. 

Start with the pre-shampoo treatment and leave it on for five to ten minutes before rinsing and following up with the shampoo and conditioner. In just one wash, this trio will visibly repair damaged strands and reduce breakage.

2. Incorporate Purple Shampoo Into Your Routine 

Fight brassy strands with the help of a purple shampoo, which helps to keep unwanted yellow or orange tones away. Once you notice brassiness in your strands, reach for the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Brass Toning Purple Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Brass Toning Purple Conditioner, which help neutralize brass between your coloring sessions. If you have an icy blonde hue it’s inevitable, so do yourself a favor and keep these products hand.

3. Use a Toning Treatment or Gloss

An at-home toning treatment, like the L'Oréal Paris Féria Power Toner, Long Lasting Anti Brass Toner can help to banish unwanted warm tones, while bringing out the cool tones in your color. It works in as little as five minutes and keeps brassy tones away for up to three weeks. Another great way to tone your hair color and keep it looking vivid is to use an at-home hair color gloss, like the L’Oréal Paris Le Color Gloss One Step In-Shower Toning Gloss in Cool Blonde. In as little as five minutes, it works to enhance shine and boost the tone of your hair. Plus, it’s formulated with coconut oil to deeply condition your tresses. 

Next: How to Safely Bleach Your Hair at Home

Photographer: Chaunte Vaughn