Being squeaky clean is overrated, especially when it comes to your beauty routine. It may sound counterintuitive, but a little dirt can look lovely in the right places. Don’t throw out your face wash just yet, however—hear us out.
You know how second day hair always looks just a little bit better? It’s got a texture not even the best salt spray can replicate with added volume and bounce. The same goes for hair color. While we love perfect, doll-like shades of platinum and ash blonde, it’s dirty blonde hair that really gets our hearts racing.
Being squeaky clean is overrated, especially when it comes to your beauty routine. It may sound counterintuitive, but a little dirt can look lovely in the right places. Don’t throw out your face wash just yet, however—hear us out.
You know how second-day hair always looks just a little bit better? It’s got a texture not even the best salt spray can replicate with added volume and bounce. The same goes for hair color. While we love perfect, doll-like shades of platinum and ash blonde, it’s dirty blonde hair that really gets our hearts racing.
Looking to try the sexy, subtle hue for yourself? Read on for our favorite takes on dirty blonde.
Dark Dirty Blonde
Not quite caramel but not hazelnut either, dark dirty blonde mixes gold and brown notes for a creamy, soft color that’s particularly flattering on medium skin tones.
Light Dirty Blonde
Summer is in full swing, and nothing will make your hair feel brighter than a light dirty blonde.
Cool Dirty Blonde
Classic takes on dirty blonde usually opt for warmer tones, creating a sunny brown-blonde that highlights tans and makes everyone look just a little healthier. These days, however, we’re advocating for a very cool dirty blonde that hints at ice queen (the more bone-chilling, the better). You’ll love how fresh this take on dirty blonde feels, trust us.
Ash Dirty Blonde
Ashy shades are very trendy at the moment, which means your favorite Instagram supermodel has probably already tried them out.
Dirty Bronde
Bronde is probably the newest shade on this list, seeing as it only saw a rise in popularity within the last year. We love the way it blends brunette and blonde accents into one gorgeous hair color.
Dusty Blonde
Yet another shade in the pantheon of dirty blonde hues is dusty blonde, a tone that’s gained popularity thanks to the influencers who regularly wear it. This shade is creamy perfection.
Smoky Dirty Blonde
Sultry girls deserve a hair color that’s just as moody as they are. In this case, it’s smoky dirty blonde. The chocolate-infused shade adds more drama to the standard dirty blonde look. For brunettes looking to shake up their hair color, smoky dirty blonde is a solid choice.
Dirty Blonde Texture
There are plenty of photos featuring dirty blonde hair floating around the internet, but not nearly enough with vivacious curls. Don’t worry! Dirty blonde works on every hair type.
Honey Blonde
We regularly gush over honey manes, which seem to be the softest and healthiest of them all. If you’re angling for a super natural hair color that really isn’t natural at all, this is a shade that should have all your attention. Paired with blonde babylights, the color is a stunner.
Wheat Blonde
Like honey, wheat blonde is one of those magical hair colors that makes every woman look a little more put together. This shade suits tanned or medium complexions, and plays will with ultra-blonde highlights.
Golden Blonde
When it comes to going blonde, you might as well to commit to the identity. There’s no better way of going full Malibu than giving golden blonde a shot.
Sandy Blonde
When it’s done well, sandy blonde is a cool, ashy shade that flatters fair and medium complexions.
Caramel Highlights
Luxe, buttery blonde is one of the most beautiful hair colors available in salons.
Pink Highlights
There’s no rule saying dirty blonde hair has to remain within the confines of shades that grow naturally from the scalp.
White Highlights
If you’re more of a white wine drinker than a rosé obsessive, don’t panic. White blonde plays nicely with its dirty counterpart, creating a dreamy swirl of icy color that’s practically begging for Instagram. Be sure your colorist keeps the white blonde highlights as fine as possible to ensure you achieve the best results.
Dirty Strawberry Blonde
Current or wannabe redheads shouldn’t feel left out of the dirty blonde world. Instead, they can try a dirty strawberry blonde that combines a subtle red shade with notes of ashy blonde.
Grown Out Roots
Like purposefully distressed jeans and crop tops, grown out roots are one of those trends you mom probably won’t ever get behind. That’s doesn’t mean it’s not incredibly stylish, however.
Dirty Blonde with Lowlights
While we’re discussing ways to add brunette accents to dirty blonde hair, we’d be remiss to leave out a mention of lowlights.
Dirty Blonde Balayage
Wanting to go dirty blonde doesn’t mean you have to give up your base shade entirely. On lobs or blunt bobs, we recommend giving dirty blonde balayage a chance.
Dirty Blonde Lob
This bright color enhances the look of any natural texture in your hair, creating a sense of movement that’s often missing in short hairstyles.
Neutral Blonde
This creamy, rich shade benefits from subtle brunette lowlights that add in a touch of “dirt.”
Burgundy Blonde
If it’s your first time going dirty, a dark shade is the right place to start.
Sunkissed Blonde
The matte color is just a touch darker than standard dirty blonde, adding honey notes to a dark beige base.
Dirty Blonde Waves
The beachier the texture, the better this style looks! Give Redken Dry Shampoo Paste 05 (coming soon!) a try.
Champagne Blonde
It only makes sense that you’d want to add a touch of champagne to your dirty blonde mane. This shade is all about creating that effortless beach babe illusion.
Dirty Blonde With Highlights
These artfully placed streaks add the illusion of depth to your hair, resulting in strands that look thicker and more textured. More hair is always a good thing, if you ask us.
Ombre
You can’t go wrong with a gradient.
Platinum Blonde
In this look, the stark contrast between your dark brunette roots and dirty blonde strands is a little punk rock.
Auburn Blonde
Sometimes the best shades of red hair aren’t the loudest, so take your look subtle. You’ll be impressed with life as a low-key redhead.
Dirty Blonde Ringlets
Feeling like adding a little something extra? Use a curling iron or wand to add dramatic, beautiful ringlets to your hair.
Shadow Root
Shadow roots mean tons of depth, creating the illusion of thicker, healthier hair. Who wouldn’t want to look like she just woke up like this every day?
Bronze Blonde
For a touch of sexiness, work with your colorist to figure out the placement of several bronze highlights. We’d recommend focusing them around your newly-brightened face.
Dirty Blonde Bun
Toss your dirty blonde ‘do up into a bun for brunch or even date night out. The striking separation between your root and bun color will be a real eye-catcher. Redken Triple Dry 15 (coming soon!), a medium control dry texture finishing spray, can be the styling aid you need.
Beige Blonde
To live life like you’re ruling social media, talk to your colorist about a beige hue that looks (and feels) totally low maintenance. In 2017, beige is anything but boring.
Looking to try dirty blonde hair for yourself? Use our salon locator to book an appointment at a salon near you.
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