14 Short Blonde Hair Ideas for You and Your Clients
Picture this: your client sits in the salon chair and tells you, ‘I want short blonde hair’. What do you give them? While it sounds like an easy request, there are so many variations on short and blonde that it can feel overwhelming.
So, we’re here to help you find the blonde colour and cut that suits them flawlessly. Keep scrolling for 14 short blonde hair ideas to introduce them to, so they can make their perfect choice…
The Platinum Blonde Bob with Bangs
Image Credit: @brianacisneros
Choppy ‘bixie’ (bob-pixie) cuts and platinum blonde hues are the ultimate power couple – so why not take them to the next level with a hidden pastel panel? By painting a contrasting hue through the lower section of hair, you can show off the shape of your client’s bixie, enhancing the layers and texture of the cut. Recreate the look on your short-haired clients by lightening with BlondorPlex + 6%, before applying Color Touch 9/16 + 1.9% to create a stunning cool blonde.
Next, for that pinky-purple peekaboo section in the lower layers, paint with three formulas in alternating ribbons: Shinefinity 00/00 + 00/89, Shinefinity 00/00 + 00/66, and Shinefinity 010/6. The finishing touch is to make sure your client has a good heat protectant spray, like EIMI Thermal Image. It’s needed to blow-dry their bob smooth, and again to prep strands for straightening. As they glide straighteners through lengths, show them how to flick out their hair at the ends, giving their choppy bob plenty of extra movement and shape.
The Center-Parted Bob with Ash Blonde Highlights
Image Credit: @joiewallacehair
Transform a deep brunette by lifting black hair with blonde highlights. Here, a bold face frame has been partnered with delicate babylights for an overall brighter look that boosts dimension in short styles. Showing just how easily dark-haired clients can embrace short blonde hair, it’s a look you can perfect with BlondorPlex for the lightened pieces, and Koleston Perfect to tone. Some of our favorite ash blondes include 10/1, 9/1 and 9/38. Make sure your client has a good shampoo at home, like INVIGO Blonde Recharge Cool Blonde Shampoo, to maintain crisp coolness in between salon appointments.
The Peach Blonde Curly Mane
Image Credit: @thelocksoflondon
Do peach blondes have more fun? This short, curly, multi-tonal mane says ‘yes!’, combining corals, pinks and oranges through a cool-toned, bright blonde base. To create the look, hair was first lightened with BlondorPlex + 1.9% with a slow, controlled lift to maintain the integrity and pattern of the curls. Then, locks were glazed with Shinefinity, featuring 09/65 on the undercut and root sections, and 09/65 + 00/00 on mid-lengths and ends. Finally, once the glaze formulas had been rinsed, the face frame was adorned in Color Fresh CREATE Hyper Coral + Tomorrow Clear, with subtle touches of Pure Violet + Tomorrow Clear on the very tips.
The Colour Block Short Blonde Cut
Give short blonde hair a pastel upgrade with Wella Colour Blocking. While this jawline-skimming cut features a bolt of sky blue, you can also recreate it with pinks, purples, oranges, reds… it’s up to your client. First, craft the blonde with Blondor Freelights + 6%, so you reach a light base that sets the scene for grey blonde hues. Then, glaze sections of hair – including a block close to the face frame – with Shinefinity 08/8 + 00/00 + 00/89 for a soft sky blue. Complete the look with a Shinefinity Flash Glaze 010/6 + 00/66 on the rest of the lightened areas to keep the blonde sections ultra cool.
The Bright Blonde Pixie Crop
Image Credit: @dereqc
Now this is a statement pixie cut. Skimming the cheekbones and framing the face, it features choppy, step cut layering with the brightest of blonde tones courtesy of Illumina Color. Illumina is your go-to permanent hair colour when luminosity is on the agenda, as it enhances the natural light reflections in the hair; perfect for helping tapered sections shimmer. Here, you’re seeing 10/0 applied all over a pre-lightened base, delivering a light neutral with – if your client wants it – up to 100% grey coverage.
The Curly Blonde Short Shag
Image Credit: @brianacisneros
We’re steering into mid-length territory here, but if your client’s version of ‘short’ is shoulder-hugging, then consider giving this shaggy, curly, golden blonde look a go. (Psst… it also suits straight or wavy styling.) With feathering through the bangs and face-framing layers, it’s perfect for adding volume to finer locks. Meanwhile, the glistening, warm tone of the blonde only adds to the seventies vibe. The base was light brown to begin with, so no lightener was applied – just a blend of Illumina Color blondes swept on in alternating strokes. You’re seeing ribbons of 7/35 + 6%, 8/05 + 9%, and 10/1 + 12%, which combine for a retro California vibe.
The Honey Blonde Shoulder-Length Cut
Image Credit: @dannystyledme
Hello, honey blonde! Bright and rich all at once, this glowing, shoulder-length bob shows just how beautifully Blondor and Shinefinity go together. On an already-blonde base with grown-out roots, first locks were lightened with BlondorPlex + 4%. Then, to achieve that sensational tone, Shinefinity 09/81 was applied from root to tip. 09/81 is actually a cooler blonde, but because the base was high on yellow and orange undertones, it balanced out into a neutral honey with hints of warmth popping throughout. Finally, EIMI Absolute Set hairspray was misted through blow-dried hair to give the bouncy shape of the bob extra hold. Style with a large, round brush to get plenty of volume in the roots and through the ends.
The Short Caramel Blonde Dip-Dye
Image Credit: @lindsey.wella
If your dark-haired client wants to try short blonde hair, but still wants to work a touch of brunette, try creating something like this close-cropped, dip-dyed look. While you’re keeping their natural roots intact, you’re highlighting the ends with a clean caramel blonde, so they get the best of both worlds in one statement-making cut. Here, you’re seeing BlondorPlex + 4% painted in highlights, alongside balayage sweeps of Blondor Freelights + 6%. The lightened sections were toned using Shinefinity 09/36 + 09/61 + Bottle Activator, delivering dulce deliciousness to the ends of coily hair.
Short Blonde Hair with Curtain Bangs
Image Credit: @augustoalencar
Short hair and curtain bangs are back in a big way – but how do you lift them out of the nineties? The key for perfecting this trending cut is all in your client’s choice of blonde colour. By going for a bright, single-tone hue, you keep the look cool and contemporary. Look to the Nordic blonde trend, where highlights have been swapped out for all-over lifting from root to very tip. Try it with one of the Koleston Perfect Special Blonde colours, such as 12/81 or 12/16. These high lift blonde colours lift and tone in a single step for a speedier service your clients will love.
The Warm Blonde Wavy Bob
Image Credit: @jordannacobella
A short, blunt cut on thick hair guarantees maximum impact. Just look at how clean and fresh those ends are, enhanced by a beachy, tousled texture. The style almost steals the show, but the two-toned, blonde-meets-brown colouring has the edge, giving clients a more natural take on the Gemini hair trend. If you’re recreating the look, go for contrast by teaming warm blonde hues with a cooler medium brown that peeks out in between highlights and through the lower layers. Try Color Touch 9/0, 9/03 or 9/35 for the blonde, and 5/03 or 7/97 for the brown.
The Ice Blonde Curly Crop
Image Credit: @jhair_stylist and @michellethompsonhair
What’s not to love about a head full of icy blonde curls? Packed with textured and frosted to perfection, this look is high on head-turning power. Because curly and coily hair can be prone to dryness, it’s important to use a lightener that respects the integrity of textured hair. BlondorPlex is perfect, as it features our bond-strengthening WellaPlex ingredient for up to 97% less hair breakage*. Follow it up with the BlondorPlex Cream Toner in Lightest Pear + 1.9% to achieve this look. In just 10 minutes, you’ll have the ultra-icy hue that’s on every fall/winter colour trends list.
To give curls extra support, your client can also take ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue home with them; a supercharged leave-in treatment that repairs damage in 90 seconds* for 12x smoother hair**. All they have to do is mist it through clean, damp locks, allow it to absorb, then style as usual. It’s suitable for all hair types, delivering a boost of nourishment you can see and feel.
The Ash Golden Blonde Gamine Cut
Image Credit: @dereqc
This punky, piece-y crop is a gamine dream come true, featuring side-swept bangs, tapered trimming, and an ashy golden toner. Applied to an already-light base, it sees the regrowth touched up and brassiness banished. So, how do you create the look for your clients? It all starts with Blondor Soft Blonde Cream. When you’re lifting locks close to the root, as seen in this masterpiece, Soft Blonde is the perfect product, as it’s gentle to even sensitive scalps. Apply all over, allow it to develop, rinse hair, and then glaze with Shinefinity for shine you can feel. This shade is 09/13, a toffee milk hue that’s balanced out orange tones beautifully.
The Blonde to Bold Ombre Bob
Image Credit: @hair.by.kitahna
Vivid ombre, coming through. We can’t get enough of this turquoise-tinted lob (long bob), which proves that, even on short hair, a smooth graduation from blonde to bold can be achieved. To help bright lengths and ends stand out, apply a platinum through the roots to mid-lengths with BlondorPlex Cream Toner in Lightest Pearl. Then tone the turquoise with Color Fresh CREATE semi-permanent hair colour in Super Petrol. Your client can top up the bold lengths at home with the Color Fresh Mask in Mint. Applied for 10 minutes to clean, damp locks, it refreshes and revives colour in between salon appointments.
The Expensive Blonde Pompadour
Image Credit: @jordannacobella
From brown to blonde in a single session? It’s possible with BlondorPlex, which gives you up to nine levels of lift and 97% less breakage***. Here, it’s been mixed with 9% to transform medium brown hair, delivering a light, bright base from root to tip. Then, this short cut has been toned with Shinefinity 09/81 + 09/13. The result: an expensive blonde seen through the most modern take on a pompadour cut. We are obsessed.
Now you’ve got plenty of short blonde hair inspiration, go ahead and create your own masterpieces. Don’t forget to share them with us on Instagram by tagging us @WellaHairUKI and @WellaEducation.
* When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue.
** When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue. Instrumental test versus non-conditioning shampoo.
*** When using WellaPlex No2 with BlondorPlex versus BlondorPlex alone.
