From your perfect shade, to the right products and pro tips to keep your hair healthy, here’s everything to know about going dirty blonde.

Looking for a low-maintenance hair color that’s super flattering on everyone? Dirty blonde is it. Despite the off-putting name, dirty blonde is a timeless classic and one of the easiest hair colors to pull off. Not quite blonde or brunette, dirty blonde is a versatile shade that can look different depending on the undertones used to create it. And because of this, there’s a version to complement every skin tone. From the right dirty blonde hair color to the best products and pro tips to keep your blonde bright, here's everything you need to know about the season’s hottest hair color.

So what is dirty blonde hair? Dirty blonde is a term to describe a multidimensional color, somewhere between medium and dark blonde. It can be made up of many different shades but the defining characteristic of the dirty blonde hair trend is that it starts with a dark base and lightens out naturally into a blend of warm, cool (or sometimes both) blonde tones. The versatility of this shade makes it ultra flattering against a range of skin tones. And unlike intenser blondes like platinum, dirty blonde is muted and easy to wear, whether your vibe is casual or professional. It’s also incredibly easy to maintain, making it a great option to lighten their strands more subtly. Ready to choose your shade? We’re breaking down more dirty blonde details below.

Getting your perfect dirty blonde starts with knowing your skin tone. Skin tones are broken up into four main categories- fair, medium, olive and dark. Fair is the lightest. Fair skinned people are likely to have blonde or red hair and burn easily in the sun. Medium skin is a little warmer. People with medium skin tan rather easily in the sun. Olive skin is a little darker, with golden, yellow or greenish undertones. And finally, dark is the deepest skin tone, and the most rich in melanin. Keep reading for the best dirty blonde hair color for your skin tone.

If you’ve got fair skin, try an ashy dirty blonde to add brightness to your fair complexion. Or go with a strawberry dirty blonde for dimension without a harsh contrast.

Medium skin tones look best in buttery shades of dirty blonde. The pale hue works well against warmer complexions. Butter dirty blonde also makes the perfect base for highlights.

Dirty blonde hues against an olive complexion look especially pretty in shades of warm gold. Paler blondes make olive skin look sallow. Try warm golden hues with a dark root.

A caramel dirty blonde is our pick for dark skin tones. This rich, warm shade looks so flattering on dark skin, and makes blue, green and hazel eyes pop. A darker root adds depth and dimension.

Keep your dirty blonde hair looking healthy and vibrant with these tips!

Use Products Made for Blonde Hair

Our Heart of Glass Blonde Collection is a five-part hair care regimen for maintaining the health and beauty of your dirty blonde. The collection is a complete routine including blue shampoo and conditioner, reinforcing treatment and illuminating thermal-protective fluid.

Wash Your Blonde Less

Overwashing can leave your dirty blonde dull. Keep your colored strands looking their best by washing no more than three times a week. Use a hair refresher like our This is an Invisible Dry Shampoo to absorb oil and impurities leaving on your off-days and bring second-day strands back to life.

Alternate with Color-Enhancing-Shampoo

Once a week, swap your regular shampoo out with a color-enhancing shampoo like the ones from our Alchemic line. Six non-permanent tones made from pure pigments can be mixed together, or used separately to maintain your dirty blonde hair color.

Hair Mask Weekly

Lightened hair needs lots of hydration, so it’s important to deep-condition regularly with a color-safe formula like our MINU Hair Mask designed to deeply nourish and extend the duration of your color.

Protect Your Blonde from Heat

Heat-styling is not only incredibly damaging to your hair, but it also prematurely fades your color. Anytime you plan to use heat, prep your strands with a heat protection spray.

The way you style your dirty blonde hair can make all the difference in how it looks. These are our favorite ways to style this trendy color, according to your skin tone.

If you’ve got fair skin, try your ashy or strawberry dirty blonde hair in a blunt collarbone cut. Finish it off with a root melt and lowlights through your ends. Blow dry your heat protected strands sleek and straight with This is a Relaxing Moisturizing Fluid to add shine, eliminate frizz and moisturize your dirty blonde hair. 

Compliment a medium skin tone with a buttery dirty blonde box bob. Unlike a classic bob, a box bob avoids a super-precise finish. The ends are not gradually layered or tapered either, so ask your stylist for textured layers, and weighty ends. Wear it straight or wavy with a curl-enhancing product like our This is a Curl Building Serum for bouncy, defined curls, light hold and workability. The ultimate in chic dirty blonde hairstyles.

Pair your olive skin with a soft shoulder cut and a set of dirty blonde curtain bangs. Keep the layers long on this flirty haircut and let it air dry with a leave-in styling treatment like the All In One Milk in our OI line. The lightweight hair milk controls frizz, hydrates, protects, and softens your dirty blonde strands, making them shiny, silky and vibrant.

Rich, warm blonde tones pop against dark skin. A lob haircut in a caramel dirty blonde looks so cool as the ends graze your neck and collarbone in contrast. Keep it short in the back and let the longer pieces in front fall into a flattering angle. Seal your ends with a hair oil like our OI Oil for hydrating nourishment and shine. 

These are some of the most frequently asked questions, with answers, about dirty blonde hair.

What is the difference between dirty blonde and ash blonde?

Dirty blonde refers to a multidimensional blonde with a mix of cool, warm or cool and warm undertones. Ash blonde refers to a cool blonde with blue undertones. A dirty blonde can be ashy, but an ashy blonde doesn’t necessarily have to be dirty.

How often should you touch up dirty blonde hair?

As a general rule, the more contrasting your hair color is with your natural shade, the more frequently it will need to be touched up. Because dirty blonde is a darker, rootier shade, it tends to be one of the lowest maintenance blondes to maintain. You should be able to go four months without needing fresh highlights or a touch-up to your dirty blonde.

Can you achieve dirty blonde hair at home or should you go to a salon?

It's always best to get your hair colored at a salon by a professional. Colorists spend 2000+ hours learning their trade, including chemistry and technique. Plus, salon formulas use higher quality ingredients that are better for your hair. Box hair color often contains low quality dyes and high amounts of ammonia, PPDs, and metallic salts. These harsh chemicals are extremely damaging to the hair, as well as cause reactions to sensitive skin and allergies.

What skin tone looks best with dirty blonde hair?

Because dirty blonde is made up of several different undertones that can be warm, cool or both, it’s an incredibly versatile blonde. And unlike intenser blondes like platinum, dirty blonde is muted, making it easy to wear, and ultra flattering against all skin tones.

Dirty blonde is a low-maintenance hair color that works well against all skin tones. Not quite blonde, not quite brown, it’s a medium to dark hue that can be easily customized, so there’s literally a version for everyone. If you’re ready to try this universally flattering shade or have questions like what color highlights for dirty blonde hair, make an appointment with a Davines colorist in your area. Follow our tips and use only high grade products to hydrate and protect your dirty blonde hair color, like the ones from Davines. All of our products for blonde hair are free of harmful toxins and use natural ingredients to help you maintain your color.

by Jaclyn LaBadia, featured contributor