GUIDE TO DIRTY BLONDE HAIR

Effortless, understated, and undeniably cool - dirty blonde hair has long been the go-to shade for those who want a little depth without losing the light. Whether you're a natural blonde looking for more dimension or a brunette ready to soften your tone, dirty blonde might be your perfect match.

What is dirty blonde hair?

Dirty blonde is the chameleon of the blonde world. Sitting somewhere between light brown and medium blonde, it typically features a blend of cooler ash tones and warmer beige or golden hues. Think sun-faded strands with natural root smudging and soft lowlights - it’s laid-back, low-maintenance, and full of natural-looking depth.

The beauty of dirty blonde is in its versatility. It works across seasons, suits a range of skin tones, and can be adjusted to be cooler or warmer depending on your vibe.

How to get dirty blonde hair

If you’re blonde, transitioning to a dirtier, more lived-in tone is simple. Ask your colourist for root shading, lowlights, or a toner to neutralise brightness and add subtle contrast. A gloss or toner in an ash, beige, or mushroom tone can instantly soften overly bright strands.

For brunettes, achieving dirty blonde usually involves a multi-step lightening process - often highlights, balayage or babylights - to lift colour before toning to that neutral-sandy finish.

We’d advise brunettes to take it slow and move towards a dirty blonde colour in stages to avoid damage and ensure the finished result looks natural.

Dirty blonde hair colour ideas

Cool dirty blonde

Leaning into ash and mushroom tones, this cool, ashy dirty blonde is perfect for cooler skin tones and offers a chic, modern finish. Its soft, smoky base adds dimension and depth, making it an effortlessly cool take on classic blonde.

Warm dirty blonde

With hints of honey or golden lowlights, this version flatters warm and neutral complexions and adds softness. The golden undertones catch the light beautifully, creating a multi-dimensional finish that looks sun-kissed and radiant.

Dirty blonde with a root smudge

Keeping your roots natural-looking and stretching the blonde further down gives that effortlessly grown-in look – ideal for low maintenance lovers. This technique softens the contrast between your natural base and dirty blonde lengths, making regrowth more seamless.

Dirty blonde balayage

Blending darker roots with freehand dirty blonde balayage placement adds sun-kissed texture and works on all base colours. The sweeping highlights create a natural, beachy dimension that mimics how hair lightens in the sun. It’s the ultimate low-fuss way to brighten your look while keeping your colour feeling bespoke and beautifully blended.

How to look after dirty blonde hair

Coveted dirty blonde tones - especially those with ashy or beige notes - need specific care to stay balanced. Over time, warmth can creep back in, or cooler shades can fade and start to look flat.

• Use a purple shampoo and purple conditioner to knock out brassiness and let your dirty blonde’s ash and beige tones shine through.
• Use toners for blonde hair to enhance and refresh your blonde in between salon visits. Our platinum toner, beige toner and honey blonde toner are expertly-formulated to refresh your blonde and can even be mixed together to create a bespoke at-home toning solution.
• Add restoring and repairing products into your haircare routine. Our Blonde+ Repair System shampoo, conditioner and pre-shampoo treatment are a bond-building three-step system for shiny, healthy-looking blonde.
• If you often use heat styling tools, use heat protection sprays daily to prevent colour fade and breakage.

Transitioning to dirty blonde from platinum blonde or brunette

Thinking about making the switch to dirty blonde? Whether you're brightening up brunette strands or toning down platinum, transitioning into this effortless shade can be surprisingly seamless with the right approach. Here's how to ease into dirty blonde from either end of the spectrum.

• From blonde: Transitioning from icy or platinum blonde to dirty blonde can be as easy as adding lowlights or applying a semi-permanent gloss to dial back any unwanted brightness.
• From brunette: For brunettes, going dirty blonde typically involves multiple sessions. Highlights, balayage or full head lightening paired with toning helps ease the shift without harsh lines. If you're unsure, a temporary toner or gloss can give you a taste of the tone without full commitment.