Platinum Blonde vs. Ash Blonde: What Color Should You Get?

When you’re deciding whether to go for blonde hair, you have to remember that your skin tone, eye color, and hair color are all important factors in choosing a shade. 

Blonde hair is extremely popular among young girls because it freshens up their look and invigorates their overall appearance. However, blonde hair can be tricky to get right. It can easily wash you out if it’s not the perfect shade.

If you don’t know how to choose a shade of blonde, the following tips will help guide you. We’ll take a look at the main difference between platinum blonde and ash blonde hair.

The Relationship between Hair Color and Skin Tones

When you're exploring the diverse world of blonde hair colors, particularly the striking contrasts between platinum and ash blonde hair, the importance of aligning your choice with your skin tone and eye color can't be overstated. The harmony between these elements is what transforms a good look into a great one, where your hair color complements and enhances your natural features.

Understanding Your Skin's Undertone

Before discussing the different types of blonde hair, let's focus on understanding your skin's undertone. This is crucial because the undertone of your skin dictates which hair colors will look most natural and flattering on you. There are three primary undertones: cool, warm, and neutral.

  1. Cool Undertones: You have a cool undertone if your skin has hints of blue, pink, or a ruddy complexion. Silver jewelry typically looks more flattering on you than gold. For those with cool undertones, platinum blonde hair can be an excellent choice. Its icy hues resonate well with the cooler spectrum of your skin, creating a harmonious and sophisticated look.

  2. Warm Undertones: Warm undertones are characterized by yellow, peachy, or golden hues in your skin. If gold jewelry illuminates your complexion more than silver, you likely fall into this category. Ash blonde hair, with its subtle warmth and depth, complements warm undertones beautifully. It adds a glow to your skin without overpowering it.

  3. Neutral Undertones: If your skin seems to be a mix of both cool and warm tones, or if it's hard to discern a specific undertone, you likely have a neutral undertone. The advantage here is versatility; most hair colors, including various types of blonde hair, will suit you. You have the liberty to experiment with both platinum and ash blonde shades, depending on the look you're aiming for.

Eye Color: A Complementary Aspect

Your eye color also plays a pivotal role in determining the right blonde shade. For instance, if you have light blue or green eyes, the brightness of platinum blonde can make your eye color pop. On the other hand, ash blonde, with its subtle hints of color, can beautifully accentuate darker eyes, adding depth and intrigue to your overall appearance.

What Is Platinum Blonde Hair? 

Platinum blonde is a very light shade of blonde that has a lot of white mixed in with its color. Naturally, platinum blonde is the lightest shade of blonde that’s available.

Platinum blonde is often the go-to choice for celebrities, as it’s elegant, stylish, and sophisticated. Generally, platinum blonde is considered the best choice for anyone who has light skin with a cool undertone.

What Is Ash-Blonde Hair?

Ash-blonde is a hair color that is very similar to platinum blonde. Ash-blonde is considered a tad darker than platinum blonde, but the difference is very subtle. Ash-blonde hair is a light shade of blonde that has a pinkish undertone to it. Ash-blonde is considered a great choice for someone with fair skin, a warm undertone, and dark hair.

Ash-blonde is a very popular shade of blonde, as it’s more toned down than platinum blonde. It’s also more low-maintenance because it has a darker tone than platinum blonde, which means it’s easier to maintain.

Getting Platinum and Ash Blonde Hair

1. You Can Only Commit to One Color at a Time

When you have light blonde hair, it’s essential that you only go lighter. If you have platinum blonde hair and decide to go darker, you’ll have to bleach it all over again.

Similarly, if you have ash blonde hair and decide to go lighter, the color won’t take or you’ll have to use bleach.

2. You Will Need Bleach

In order to get your hair to the light blonde shade that you desire, the only way to do so is to use bleach.

Blonde hair is generally easier to bleach than brown hair because it has a higher melanin content. If you want to go platinum blonde, you’ll need to bleach it a few times.

3. You’ll Need Professional Help

At-home bleaching does a lot of damage to hair, so it’s important for you to have a stylist help you.

Bleaching your hair can be very damaging, so it’s important to be committed to getting the blonde you desire.

4. Take It Slow

Instead of painting your hair platinum blonde in one go, it’s important to take it slow and let each application of bleach take its course.

Steps to Achieve Your Desired Blonde

Lightening your hair can be transformative. Whether you’re eyeing the chic ashy blonde hair or envisioning yourself with radiant platinum blonde highlights, the process demands careful planning and execution.

1. Assessing Your Starting Point

Your current hair color and condition are your starting line in this race to blonde. If you have darker hair, reaching that perfect ashy blonde hair shade will require more steps compared to starting with a lighter base. Similarly, adding platinum blonde highlights to already light hair is a subtler transition but requires precision to create the right contrast and brightness.

2. Choosing the Right Shade

Ashy blonde hair offers a cooler, more subdued elegance, while platinum blonde highlights can add a dynamic, eye-catching contrast to your hair. Consider your skin tone, eye color, and personal style. Are you seeking a bold transformation or a subtle enhancement? Your answer to this will guide your choice.

3. Preparing for Bleaching

Bleaching is often an essential step towards achieving your desired blonde. It strips away the natural pigment, preparing your hair for the new color. If you're going for a full ashy blonde, your entire head will need bleaching, whereas platinum blonde highlights will require a more targeted approach.

4. The Bleaching Process

A professional stylist should perform this step to minimize damage and ensure even color. They'll apply bleach carefully, monitoring its progress to protect your hair's integrity. For ashy blonde, the bleaching needs to be thorough, while platinum highlights require strategic placement for a natural-looking contrast.

5. Toning

After bleaching, toning is crucial, especially for ashy blonde hair. Toning adjusts the bleached hair to the perfect shade, eliminating any brassy or yellow tones. It’s what gives ashy blonde its signature cool hue and ensures platinum highlights don’t turn too yellow or gold.

6. Post-Color Care

Once you've achieved your dream shade, maintenance is key. Use sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners designed for colored hair. Regular deep conditioning treatments will keep your ashy blonde hair or platinum highlights looking fresh and vibrant. Remember, the health of your hair is paramount in maintaining your new color.

7. Regular Touch-Ups

Regular touch-ups are essential, especially for ashy blonde hair, which might show roots more prominently. Schedule salon visits for root touch-ups and color refreshment to keep your hair looking flawless.

Latest Trends in Blonde Hair

As you explore the dynamic landscape of blonde hair colors this year, you'll find that the trends are as diverse and expressive as ever. Influencers and celebrities are constantly redefining what it means to be blonde, adding new dimensions to these classic shades.

A Shift towards Natural and Soft Tones

The blonde hair color chart reveals a fascinating shift towards more natural and soft tones. This trend mirrors a broader movement in fashion and beauty towards authenticity and understated elegance. The types of blonde hair that are gaining popularity include creamy blondes, honey-infused shades, and subtle sandy tones. These shades are about enhancing your natural beauty with a touch of sophistication.

Influencers Embracing Dimensional Blonding

Influencers and style icons are now embracing a more dimensional approach to blonde hair. This involves incorporating various shades of blonde to create depth and movement. By using techniques like balayage or babylights, stylists are able to achieve a multi-tonal effect that adds richness to the hair. This trend is perfect if you're looking for a blonde that's nuanced and full of life.

Celebrities Setting the Blonde Trends

When it comes to setting trends, celebrities often lead the way. This year, we've seen a surge in the popularity of bold platinum shades among A-listers, a testament to the timeless charm of this striking color. On the other hand, ash blonde continues to be a favorite among those looking for a more subdued yet equally chic look. It's fascinating to see how each celebrity adapts these blonde tones to their personal style, offering inspiration for anyone looking to make a similar transition.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • A: The color of platinum is a silvery-white. It is a naturally occurring color of the platinum metal, characterized by its bright, metallic sheen. This color is often associated with a high level of reflectiveness and a cool, sophisticated tone.

  • A: To achieve platinum blonde hair, follow these steps:

    1. Hair Assessment: Evaluate your current hair color and condition. The darker and more colored your hair, the more bleaching sessions it may require.

    2. Bleaching: Platinum blonde usually requires bleaching to lighten your hair significantly. For darker hair, this might need to be done in multiple sessions to avoid excessive damage. It's highly recommended to have this done professionally, as bleach can be damaging if used incorrectly.

    3. Toning: After bleaching, your hair might have yellow or brassy tones. A toner is used to neutralize these unwanted colors, achieving the cool, ashy tone of platinum blonde.

    4. Hair Care Post-Bleaching: Bleaching can be stressful for your hair, so intensive conditioning treatments are crucial. Use products designed for color-treated hair to maintain hair health and color integrity.

    5. Maintenance: Platinum blonde hair requires regular touch-ups to maintain its color and manage regrowth, especially if you have naturally dark hair. Regular toning may also be necessary to keep the desired shade.

  • A: The color ash, often referred to in the context of ash blonde or ash brown hair colors, is a grayish tone with a muted, dusty hue. It is characterized by a cool undertone, typically lacking golden or yellowish tints common in other blonde or brown shades. This cool tone gives ash colors a more subdued and natural appearance.

Wrap Up!

Blonde hair is a great choice for anyone who wants to boost their overall look. It’s low-maintenance, fashionable, and easy for anyone to achieve. Whether you’re going for platinum blonde or ash blonde, the tips above should help you choose a shade that’s right for you.

When it comes to changing your hair, you will need stability and consistency. For that, you can only trust the Glam House. We are the best salon hairstylist that can transform your hair into something that will bring out your inner beauty. Get in touch with us today to learn more.

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