While 2023 has welcomed so many new hair color trends, icy and platinum blonde will always remain popular favorites. The nice part about these two shades is that there are so many ways to make them your own, whether it be with blonde highlights, an icy money piece or dimensional balayage.
If you’re wondering what’s the difference between platinum blonde and icy blonde, they're not all that different, but the major takeaway is that the former is slightly warmer than the latter. Keep reading for platinum and icy blonde hair inspo so you can get a better grasp of both shades, plus tips on how to care for both.
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 anyone.
Platinum blonde is bright and pale like icy blonde, but it’s less cool-toned. It may look slightly buttery or yellow in color compared to icy blonde, which lacks warmth.
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.
Many people use the terms platinum and icy blonde interchangeably and while they’re both light colors, they’re not the same. 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.
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.
If icy blonde sounds like your next shade, here are five gorgeous options you can try to make the look your own.
If an extreme, 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 L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Soft Silver Blonde.
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.
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.
Without a doubt the iciest shade you can sport is a white blonde hair color. Although it lacks pigmentation, it’s a bold, head-turner. If you're starting with a dark base color, try L'Oréal Paris Féria Platinum Bounce Bond Care Lightening System in Hyper Platinum. 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.
You can still sport 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 do it. Offering a shimmery, bright finish with subtle color, it’s a great way to add some pop to your ashy base.
If you prefer a little more warmth to your blonde, here are five platinum shades to consider.
If you prefer a richer color that incorporates hints of an ultra-bright blonde, 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.
This neutral blonde hue includes a mix of cool icy tones and classic platinum accents. You can customize this shade to suit your style, going as light or as dark as you, please. Give it a light shot with L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Lightest Ash Blonde.
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.
Icy blonde and platinum 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 brightness while maintaining some warmth, give L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Ultra Pearl Blonde a go. It’s incredibly light and eye-catching with a slightly sunny tint to it.
If you’re intrigued by the brightness of an icy hue but want something that leans neutral, this is the shade for you. It maintains its ultra-light integrity while holding onto a hint of sandy color. Try L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Very Light Natural Blonde for a sandy platinum color at your next DIY dye session.
Once you’ve achieved your desired blonde hue, you’ll have to change up your hair care routine to keep it looking its best. Ahead, are three tips to keep your bright color in prime condition.
To prevent your color from fading, it’s extremely important to use hair care products that are specially formulated for color-treated hair. 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.
Once you notice unwanted yellow and orange tones in your strands, reach for L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Brass Toning Purple Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Brass Toning Purple Conditioner, which help neutralize that brass between coloring sessions. If you have an icy blonde hue it’s inevitable, so do yourself a favor and keep these products handy. One wash with purple shampoo can make a huge difference for your color.
An at-home toning treatment, like 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 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: Hair Dye Without The Damage: How to Dye Dark Hair Without Bleach
Photo Courtesy of L'Oréal Paris, Photo Design: Sarah Duvivier
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