Ash Blonde Hair At Home | How To Get The Cool Blonde Look.

Ahhh Ash Blonde hair, the happy marriage of the latest silver trend and an icy platinum blonde.

If you want to color your hair a cool hue that will always be on trend, this is it.

But how do you know if it’s the right shade of blonde for you? And how can you get the look at home?

Achieving the perfect ash blonde hair may seem daunting, but you can achieve the look in the comfort of your own home. By following these tips and tricks, you’ll end up with Instagram-worthy locks in no time.

Sit back, relax, and let us tell you everything you need to know about becoming a gorgeous cool blonde goddess at home.

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Can I get the ash blonde look at home?

Let’s be honest, this can be a tricky color to get yourself at home.

If you want to get this look at home successfully, listen carefully to us, your colored hair expert friends. 

If your current hair color is any shade that’s darker blonde– your hair will first need to be lightened with bleach before you can dye it this color. That’s if you have light brown hair, medium and dark brunettes and blacks.

This also includes other on-trend hair colors like violets and blues. You’ll need to remove all color before you can go for this ashy shade.

Color cannot lighten color so unless you already have a super light base, trying to use hair dye is likely to make your hair even darker than it already is.

Check out our advice in How to bleach your hair at home, DIY style for top tips and products you can use to do this.

If the thought of lightening your own hair at home makes you nervous, see a professional. You don’t want to get it wrong!

If your current hair color is any shade lighter than blonde – perfecto. You need a super light base to achieve this hue.

Light-haired peeps are safe to dye your hair yourself. AS LONG AS you read the advice on the box you choose carefully to match it with the color your hair is now.

Some blonde dyes will lighten your hair a level or two but don’t expect miracles.

If you need to go up more than two levels, it’s best to use hair bleach that’s specially made for the job to avoid ending up orange!

How to dye your hair Ash Blonde at home Step-by-Step.

Ever wish you had ash blonde hair that’s natural-looking and healthy? You might have been hesitant to reach for the dye yourself, thinking it’s too difficult or risky to do at home.

But trust us, you can achieve a stunning ash blonde look without stepping foot in a salon. In this guide, I’ll walk you through step-by-step how to achieve your perfect ash blonde hue, guaranteed!

Step 1: Pick the perfect shade for you

When it comes to ash blonde, there are many shades to choose from depending on your skin tone and preferences.

Try to stick to cooler shades as they tend to look more natural and healthier.

Avoid warmer tones as they tend not to complement the skin as well.

Since every hair dye brand has its own color palette, it’s essential to carefully read product lines before making a final decision.

Step 2: Prepare your hair

It’s always important to prepare your hair properly before doing any coloring.

Especially when attempting to bleach, you should ensure that you’ve waited at least two days since your last shampoo.

Washing your hair with shampoo strips it of natural oils, leaving your hair more exposed to damage. The healthier your hair is, the more successful your hair color will be.

However, don’t apply any leave-in products before coloring as they might interfere with the pigment’s absorption.

Step 3: Start the bleaching process (if needed!)

If you have dark hair, chances are you may need to bleach it to achieve your desired shade.

To bleach safely and effectively, follow all the instructions provided closely.

Mix your bleach and developer according to the instructions.

Apply the bleach mixture to your hair, starting from the roots, and working your way down.

How long you leave the bleach on your hair will depend on your hair type, color, and desired shade.

Don’t forget to monitor your hair’s condition to avoid any damage and use lashings of hair conditioner afterwards to moisturize your hair and stop it from drying.

Step 4: Apply the Ash Blonnde Hair dye

If you don’t need to bleach, apply your chosen shade of ash blonde dye as instructed by the manufacturer.

Begin at the roots, making sure each strand is coated.

You can use gloves to blend the color smoothly or apply dye with a hairbrush.

Make sure to leave the dye on for the right amount of time to allow for better absorption.

It’s best to set a timer to prevent under or over-processing.

After the allotted time has passed, rinse your hair thoroughly, making sure all the dye has been removed.

Step 5: Follow up with post-coloring care!

After coloring your hair, it’s important to care for it properly.

Avoid heat for a couple of days after (no hairdryer, straightener or curling iron) to prevent further damage.

Apply post-coloring nourishing treatments such as hair masks or leave-in conditioner to protect and strengthen your locks.

Watch and Learn:How to dye your hair Ash Blonde at home.

Here’s a great video tutorial that guides you through how to dye your hair ash blonde at home with some fantastic results!

Ash blonde hair at home: 6 top tips!

  1. Find an ashy blonde color that matches your skin tone.
  2. Use bleach, ash blonde hair dye or hair lightener to create the desired look.
  3. Apply a blonde hair toner to get rid of yellow tones and make it a cooler, platinum-looking shade.
  4. Make sure you condition your hair after bleaching, as this will prevent breakage and dryness from all the chemicals used in the process.
  5. Keep using moisturising products after coloring, to keep your blonde locks hydrated and healthy!
  6. Stay away from heat styling tools – they can fry your hair! If you must use them, be careful not to overheat them or leave them on too long.

How to care for ash blonde hair at home?

Blonde hair can be high maintenance. But the great thing about this color is that it that grows out fantastically.

Dark root styles like root blends and melts are so on-trend and all about the grown-out look.

So, if your roots are darker, you’ll probably find yourself going longer than usual in between colorings.

After you’ve achieved the look you love, you’ll want to deep condition your hair regularly and avoid a lot of heat styling if you can.  Particularly if you’ve bleached your hair first.

Your hair will be fragile and more prone to breakage and split ends for a couple of weeks.

When you do heat style, use a heat protectant every time like the ones in Best hair heat protection sprays your colored hair can’t live without. 

This can fade and can start drawing red if you have naturally warm tones, so you’ll need to use specially formulated silver and purple shampoos and conditioners to keep the color tip top and prevent any brassiness.

How to Get Ash Blonde Hair At Home FAQS

What is ash blonde hair color? 

Ash is a cool hue with notes of blue, purple and silver. 

Ash blonde hair color refers to a very light and almost white shade of cool blonde with distinct grey undertones.

It’s not as bright and icy as platinum, it’s a more of a naturally blonde color. Dirty blonde is another cool blonde shade which is slightly darker, more tonal and blended.

The smokey tone of blonde is incredibly versatile as can hold its own from one season to the next. It looks great on both short and long hair. It doesn’t have to be super light, dark ash blonde looks incredible too. But either way, your hair will need to have a light base color to achieve it.

Although it’s a cool color, it can be warmed up with super hot styles like balayage, ash blonde highlights and ombre which all look look awesome with ash. Blended with light brown shades, grown-out and darker roots, it’s to dye for!

Plus it will take other colors really well, so you can add temporary touches of pink, blue, and purple highlights if your heart desires.

Check out the latest looks for ideas and inspiration.

ash blonde hair color collection board pinterest

Can ash blonde color look grey?

Ash colors tend to look darker but how grey your hair will look depends how light your hair is to begin with.

If you’re interested in the silver hair trend but don’t want to fully commit for fear of looking grey, then this hue is the way to go for you. It will give you a warmer grey-blonde tone than it’s sister silver.

Pearl blonde is a creamier blonde tone that’s also a slighter warmer and whiter shade that’s not as grey tonally too.

Will ash blonde suit me?

This is a cool color that’s really versatile but will suit most people with cool tones.

You can warm it up with lowlights, add streaks or dipped ends to add some color.

It’s important to know and understand your own colors to help you decide whether ashy tones would suit you.

And when we say your colors we mean things like your skin tone, eye color and even the clothes you wear – these determine the right shades for you.

Do I have warm or cool undertones?

You can take a look at our check list to help you find out if your undertones are warm or cool!

If you have warm undertones:

  • You have red or golden undertones in your hair.
  • Your skin tone will be golden, tan or olive.
  • You have green veins in your wrist.
  • You suit bright or rich shades.
  • You probably have freckles.
  • Gold jewellery looks awesome on you.

If you have cool undertones:

  • Your skin tone is pink or pale.
  • You prefer wearing jewel and pastel colors.
  • The color yellow does not look good on you.
  • You have blue veins in your wrist.
  • Pearls and silver jewellery look awesome on you.
cool or warm undertones infographic

Which hair colors suit me?

We’ve also developed a quick quiz that will tell you which hair colors will most suit you!

From dark ash blonde, to ash blonde balayage and highlights. Answer a few quick questions and find out. Take the quiz!

What hair color suits me?

You can also try on some virtual hair colors with the Best app to change your hair color!

Will ash blonde dye damage my hair?

Of course, any hair coloring process will dry out your hair and can turn it into a haystack, particularly if you have to lighten it first with bleach.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t repair it and lovingly bring it back to it’s best again.

Smother your hair in a good deep conditioning treatment once a week to restore your hair with moisture and replenish your locks.

We’d also recommend waiting a couple of weeks and doing an at-home keratin treatment to really smooth and put the goodness back into your locks.

These powerful treatments are particularly good for blondes who bleach their hair as it restores the bonds that give your hair its strength.

Doing this in between colorings will really make a difference to the condition of your hair.

Which is the best ash blonde hair dye?

All hair coluring products are not created equal.

Some don’t have as great of staying power as others. Others aren’t as easy to apply yourself at home.

The danger with blonde of course is that you may even end up orange!

So once your hair is the right base color, these are the best ashy blonde box dyes to get gorgeous ashy blonde hues!

Read more about each hair dye in our in-depth Best ash blonde hair dye reviews.

Always remember to do a strand test first!

Best Ash Blonde Hair Dye at a glance

Hair DyeLooks likeBest forBuy now
Garnier Olia Ash Blondeq? encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B013BKRU1C&Format= SL160 &ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=GB&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=colouredhairc 21&language=en GBbest ash blonde hair dye garnier oliaSubtle hues. This isn’t one for a dramatic colour change.
John Frieda Precision Foam Light Ash Blondeq? encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B01L96IETC&Format= SL160 &ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=GB&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=colouredhairc 21&language=en GBbest ash blonde hair dye john friedaIt’s great for thick hair as the foam really penetrates. Long lasting colour.
Clairol Nice n Easy Medium Ash Blondeq? encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B07QYG97K5&Format= SL160 &ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=GB&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=colouredhairc 21&language=en GBbest ash blonde hair dye nice n easyIt has slightly warmer tones. Best for medium blondes.
Revlon Colorsilk Ultra Light Ash Blondeq? encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B0039404TG&Format= SL160 &ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=GB&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=colouredhairc 21&language=en GBbest ash blonde hair dye revlonIt’s not as bright as platinum blonde but it’s not far off. Best for brighter blondes.
L'Oreal Preference Infinia, Viking Light Ash Blonde Hair Dye.q? encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B01BNCXINY&Format= SL160 &ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=GB&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=colouredhairc 21&language=en GBbest ash blonde hair dye lorealTrue cool ash colour.
Clairol Age Defy Permanent Hair Dye, Medium Ash Blondeq? encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B0781VSQ5W&Format= SL160 &ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=GB&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=colouredhairc 21&language=en GBbest ash blonde hair dye clairolGreat grey coverage.

TOP PICK!

L’Oreal Preference Infinia, Viking Light Ash Blonde.

q? encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B01BNCXINY&Format= SL450 &ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=GB&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=colouredhairc 21&language=en GB

Features & Ingredients:

  • Luminous color full of reflects.
    A translucent gel formula.
  • The new precious oil drop intensifies natural tones of your hair color.
  • Up to 100% grey coverage.

Reviewers say:

“I bought this ages ago & apprehensive but pleasantly surprised by result. No warm tones & thankfully didn’t turn green! Overall good result :-)”

“I have always used this color, it smells absolutely beautiful! The only downfall I have with it is that’s it’s so runny, it gets absolutely everywhere! But other then that it’s fantastic.”

“Amazing hair color. Very vibrant. Simple to apply. If a shampoo for colored hair is used then the color is pretty long lasting and does not fade easily.”

Our experience:

This is the coolest, creamiest blonde out there. Lots of the reviews said it cooled down warm tones so we tried it on light blonde balayaged hair that was starting to show brassiness.

It is a little runny to apply but the color results are well worth it. It gave us an even, cool light, ashy blonde hair color without a hint of brass!

Best for: True cool ash blonde hair color

What is the difference between ash blonde and light ash blonde?

The main difference between the two shades is the intensity of the ash tone.

Ash blonde tends to have a stronger, cooler ash tone, while light ash blonde is a softer, more delicate version.

If you’re looking for a subtle, natural-looking shift in your hair color, light ash blonde might be the way to go.

But if you want a bolder, edgier look, ash blonde is a great option.

Ultimately, it all comes down to personal preference and what will make you feel confident and beautiful in your own skin.


Parting words.

It’s easy to get the shade that you really want, but it takes much more than just a box of hair dye.

Beautiful and healthy ash blonde locks take time and care.

We hope this article helped answer some of the questions that were keeping you from achieving this cool blonde at home.

If you’re ready, go for it! You’ll never look back.

Written by...

Photo of author

Nicola Freeman

Creative Director & Owner

With over two decades of passionate hair dyeing experience, I've experimented with nearly every shade imaginable. My journey began long before blogging; as an award-winning copywriter in London and New York, I shaped narratives for iconic brands. However, when friends sought advice during Covid for at-home hair dyeing, I realized my true calling. Beyond being your hair color expert, I'm a mom of two girls, wife to artist Tony, and an avid soccer player!