How to Create Dark Ash Blonde Hair

Typically, hair colours work best when there’s a contrast against the skin tone, which is why neutral or warm undertones in the complexion are particularly flattering with this cool hue. However, if a cool-toned client is craving dark ash blonde hair, you can tailor it to suit them. Try intertwining a few richer dark blonde ribbons through the mid-lengths and ends to warm up the finished look.

1. Dark Ash Blonde with Highlights and Colour

You know the drill. With clients who don’t have naturally blonde hair, you’ll need to pre-lighten locks before you tone them with a dark ash blonde shade. It’s important that you lift to an underlying pigment that matches the first number in your colour formula. For example, if you want to use Illumina Color in 5/81 – a light pearl ash brown – you’ll want to lift hair to a level 5.

Choose a Blondor hair lightener to start, opting for Freelights if you’re creating balayage, Soft Blonde Cream for a lift that’s gentle on the scalp and BlondorPlex for a lightening powder with Bond Builder technology included. Neutralise with Blondor Blonde Seal & Care, then apply the dark ash blonde colour over the top. Some of our favourite shades in-clude: Koleston Perfect in 7/18, 6/97 or 6/71; Illumina Color in 6/16, 6/19 or 5/81 and Color Touch in 6/71 or 7/97.

2. Dark Ash Blonde with Lowlights

If your client already has ash blonde hair, you can create a little more depth by adding a scattering of lowlights in between the lighter highlights. The finished look is flawlessly multi-tonal and natural-looking, making it easier for bright blondes to subtly transition to a darker shade.

For low-commitment lowlights, opt for a demi-permanent colour. Color Touch helps you create high-shine, ashy ribbons that gradually fade, so light blonde clients can test the deeper waters. A permanent colour will give your client a longer-lasting finish, so try IIumina Color for sheer, full coverage or Koleston Perfect for a more saturated finish.

3. Dark Ash Blonde with a Glossing Service

Another technique for those who are already blonde but want to go deeper; a Pure Glossing Service is ideal for neutralising brassy tones and gently tweaking the colour. The finish is super-subtle, super-glossy and super-speedy, giving blonde clients a dark ash boost in the space of a lunch break.

To try it, start by mixing your target Koleston Perfect shade (or shades) with our hair developer Welloxon Perfect 1.9% and the INVIGO Color Service Post Hair Color Treatment, using a 1:1:1 ratio. Then, apply the blend to hair, comb through, and leave to develop for no more than 10 minutes, resulting in the softest dark ash blonde tint.

As with all blonde shades, dark ash blonde hair needs regular ‘mane’-tenance. Keep the colour looking fresh from season to season with these easy-to-follow tips…

1. Shade Match the Shampoo

Not all color-kind shampoos are made the same. Tailor the formula to your client’s shade by treating dark ash blonde hair to INVIGO Blonde Recharge Cool Blonde Shampoo, followed by Color Recharge Cool Brunette Conditioner. Recommend they use this pairing whenever strands need a quick brightening boost, leaving each product on for 3-5 minutes to lock that luminosity down for longer.

2. Watch the Water

Make sure clients are aware that dark ash blonde can be a tricky shade to maintain, and sometimes the minerals in water can affect how fast it fades. Recommend they try attaching a filter to their shower head, and alternate INVIGO Blonde Recharge with Color-Motion+ Color Protection Shampoo, which fights against fading free radicals.

3. Beat the Heat

Heat isn’t hair colour’s best friend. In fact, hairdryers, irons and even the sun can alter your client’s shade, causing it to fade faster or veer a little brassy. That’s why we advise clients to prep every style with EIMI Thermal Image heat protection spray, and wear INVIGO Sun UV Hair Color Protection Spray on hot days. It’s like sunscreen for locks.