Call it dark blonde, call it dirty blonde…whatever search term you’re using to find hair color inspiration, we know exactly what you’re looking for: a pretty in-between shade that isn’t as bright as platinum, as warm as honey blonde, or as dark as full-on brunette. Still, it has elements of all of the above.
Dirty blonde is actually a term that stylists have been using since the 1950s, says hairstylist Jill Buck. Sometimes it’s referred to as dishwater blonde, though that’s not the nicest-sounding description. Despite the lackluster name, Buck says this not-light-enough-to-be-blonde-and-not-dark-enough-to-be-brunette color has become one of the most requested shades.
To help you on your quest– because finding the right dirty blonde for your skin tone can be a true challenge– we pulled together a roundup of top-tier photo inspiration, along with pro tips from Buck and colorist George Papanikolas.
Keep scrolling here to find the best dirty blonde hair color for you, including all the how-tos and what to avoid if you do decide to rock this shade.
