Creating bold hair doesn’t always mean dyeing it bright colours or layering pastel tones. The proof is on the AW21 catwalks, where the monochrome trend reigned supreme at Valentino and Comme des Garçons. This is one look that doesn’t just belong in your wardrobes; it makes a statement when you translate it to hair trends, too. Case in point: this season’s black and blonde hair colour creations.
Whether sweeping shadows through blonde hair, or adding blonde highlights to an almost-black base, black and blonde hair relies on high contrast to pack a punch from root to tip. It gives bob haircuts an edge, lends dimension to long manes and works with all textures, from curly to straight. So, let’s break down everything you need to know about perfecting a black and blonde look…
Image Credit: @by.bulentkaratas Opens in a new tab | @hairxjojo Opens in a new tab
How to Create Black and Blonde Hair
There are two ways to create black and blonde hair. First up, if your client has an existing blonde base, you can apply deep lowlights Opens in a new tab that give their lighter locks some added depth. For clients with dark hair, try applying chunky blonde highlights Opens in a new tab to build up that covetable contrast.
Adding Shadows to Blonde Hair
When we talk about black and blonde hair, the former shade isn’t always black-black. You can also create the look with a very dark, cool-toned brown colour Opens in a new tab and still get plenty of contrast. Use it to sweep lowlights through blonde hair for a monochrome effect, and consider adding a root shadow Opens in a new tab or root smudge to tie the deeper tones together.
What you will need to determine is the level of commitment your client is going for. Color Touch Opens in a new tab 2/0 (black) are your go-tos for a demi-permanent glow. Meanwhile, permanent Opens in a new tab Koleston Perfect Opens in a new tab in 2/0 (black) and 3/0 (very dark brown) will give your lowlights an intensity that even covers greys Opens in a new tab.
Adding Blonde Highlights to Darker Hair
Going light on very dark hair Opens in a new tab can sometimes require a few appointments. However, with the right hair lightener Opens in a new tab, you might just be able to lift locks to the desired level in one session. Use a bond-strengthening product that goes easy on hair, like BlondorPlex Opens in a new tab, which we’ve infused with our WellaPlex No1 Bond Maker Opens in a new tab. (Complete the service with No2 Bond Stabilizer Opens in a new tab at the sink.) By mixing this lightener with Welloxon Perfect 9% Opens in a new tab or 12% Opens in a new tab, you can achieve up to seven levels of lift.
Another trick, if you’re working on natural hair, is to use one of the Special Blonde shades by Koleston Perfect, which allow you to light and tone in a single step – no extra toning required. There are 11 in total, from creamy blondes Opens in a new tab, like 12/07, to icy blondes Opens in a new tab, like 12/96. Apply them through dark locks for a single-process route to black and blonde hair.
5 Black and Blonde Hair Ideas and Formulas
Black Ash Blonde Highlights on Black Hair
Image Credit: @hairbycayer_ Opens in a new tab
While a balayage Opens in a new tab usually sees lighter tones swept through dark hair to build up brightness, a reverse balayage involves adding deep hues to light locks for boosted dimension. Here’s a perfect example by Alexandra Cayer Opens in a new tab. On her client’s already-blonde base, she applied Color Touch 66/07 + 88/07, before melting 4/0 + 6/97 into 7/7 + 7/75. Dreamy.
Blonde Hair with Black Underneath
Image Credit: @kazuma_genuine Opens in a new tab
This is half and half hair colour at its best. The bob was already black, but adding a layer of platinum up top in thick slices has given the finished look extra drama. Try creating the trend with Illumina Color Opens in a new tab, using cool, crisp hues, such as 9/19 or 10/69, to tone highlights Opens in a new tab to frosty perfection. We are obsessed.
Black Hair with Blonde Highlights
Image Credit: @chloebradburyhair Opens in a new tab
Have you heard of twilighting Opens in a new tab yet? It’s a technique that sees golden blonde Opens in a new tab highlights delicately laced through dark brown or black hair, resulting in a moonlit glow. This masterpiece by Chloe Bradbury Opens in a new tab shows just how impactful the trend can be. She started with Color Touch 5/0 in the roots, while adding foilyage Opens in a new tab through mid-lengths and ends using BlondorPlex + 1.9%. Then, once colour had been rinsed and neutralized, she toned the highlights with Color Touch 7/97.
Black and Blonde Highlights
Image Credit: @loickdambrine_hair Opens in a new tab
There are ways to make black and blonde hair appear subtle. Here, Loïck Dambrine Opens in a new tab has left the root natural, but added a high volume of blonde balayage Opens in a new tab, so the black (or very dark brown) merely peeks through the lengths. He first lifted the hair with BlondorPlex + 4%, then toned highlights using Koleston Perfect 10/86, our lightest pearl blonde.
Black Roots on Blonde Hair
Image Credit: @jordan_kindel_salon Opens in a new tab
The drama. The contrast. This rooted blonde Opens in a new tab shows just how statement-making black to blonde hair can be – especially when you apply it using a dip-dye technique. Colour this bold deserves plenty of shine, so try styling with EIMI Sugar Lift Opens in a new tab for texture, followed by EIMI Glam Mist Opens in a new tab for a fresh dose of gloss.
How to Maintain Black and Blonde Hair
1. Use a Colour-Kind Shampoo
A colour-kind shampoo Opens in a new tab is a staple for all coloured hair, no matter the shade. Recommend your clients choose one that injects shine in both blonde and black tones, like INVIGO Color Brilliance Color Protecting Shampoo Opens in a new tab. It’s pH-balanced, which helps to support better colour retention, and comes in two formulas to suit a range of hair types: one for Fine Hair and one for Normal/Thick Hair.
2. Add Deep Hydration
Another must: hydration. Making hair look healthy is all about moisture and shine, so ensure your client adds a deeply nourishing conditioner Opens in a new tab to their kit. INVIGO Color Brilliance Vibrant Color Conditioner Opens in a new tab will boost the effects of their shampoo, while the Vibrant Color Mask Opens in a new tab will give parched strands more intensive hydration when they need it most.
3. Nurture Those Blonde Tones
Because your client is working blonde tones in their monochromatic ‘do, they’ll want to use a purple shampoo Opens in a new tab once per week to neutralize any brassiness Opens in a new tab. INVIGO Cool Blonde Color Refreshing Shampoo Opens in a new tab is our pick for a speedy pick-me-up. Suggest they massage it into damp locks, leave for two to five minutes, then rinse it thoroughly. Blondes will be refreshed to a cool hue.
