An ash blonde balayage is a light hair color achieved through a hand-painted highlighting method. This technique creates a natural-looking, gentle transition and dimension throughout the hair. With subtle hints of silver and brown, ash blonde is the perfect hue for women seeking a bright, contrasting hair color that isn’t too overpowering.
Julianne Hough, Naomi Watts, Amanda Seyfried, and Kate Upton made a lovely choice by dyeing their strands into this soft, refined shade! It’s the ideal option if you want to switch your brunette strands for lighter ones but prefer not to commit fully.
Texas balayage expert Erika Yasmin Portales has been transforming straight and wavy locks into bohemian-inspired ashy tresses, and everyone’s raving about them! Depending on your skin tone, you can select a more muted, greyish ash or a brighter buttery hue.
You’re also benefiting from choosing a balayage, which requires less upkeep. For styling, relaxed and tousled waves or an effortless, lived-in appearance would pair perfectly with this cool-toned shade.
Are you looking to have your dark roots blend seamlessly into a delicate, lighter shade? Try one of these trendy looks with the ash blonde balayage and witness the transformation.
#1: Elegant Ash Blonde with Curled Tips
An elegant ash blonde hair color with curled tips is a timeless cool-girl, chic style. I love the effect of an ashy balayage on long hair, as it creates depth and highlights the long layers. Coloring your hair ash blonde is a journey, so be ready to go through several sessions with your colorist to achieve the desired lightness. Silver or ash blonde requires lightening your hair to the lightest blonde before applying toner. Ensure you are using a protein-rich shampoo and conditioner and avoid higher heat styling tools.
#2: Elegant Long Ash-Gray Balayage with Layers
Explore the beauty of a long layered ash balayage to truly stand out. Ash gray balayage offers a stunning cool tone, and when combined with your natural roots, it ensures an effortless fade as your hair grows. For easy at-home upkeep, incorporate a purple shampoo to maintain those beautiful cool tones for longer.
#3: Subtle Ash Blonde
Dark roots transitioning into a lovely beige are simply a style to embrace. Soft waves cascade down to enhance a dark ash blonde balayage and finalize the appearance.
#4: Ash Blonde Balayage
Wavy hair appears to cascade effortlessly like waterfalls! Much like your hair, rich brown roots transition smoothly to create a beautiful blend of brunette and ash blonde, all thanks to this stunning technique!
#5: Ashy Platinum
The blend of gray, blonde, and brown shades from the balayage enhance this platinum ash long inverted blonde bob even more elegantly! What a stylish look, indeed!
#6: Transforming Brunette to Ash Blonde
The newest trend in hair color features a stunning balayage from brunette to ash blonde ombre! After the balayage process, heat the curling iron to achieve the finest results from this amazing ash blonde hair dye treatment.
#7: Beautiful Layered Ash Blonde Balayage
If you’re looking for a vibrant hair color that complements thick and long hair, consider a layered ash blonde balayage. This style is a blend of cool and muted tones that’ll certainly catch attention. Make sure your stylist can mix different shades ranging from ashy white to cool-toned light blonde. They should blend harmoniously with your natural color. This hue works well for various skin tones but particularly enhances those with warm undertones.
#8: Ash Blonde Waves with Deeper Roots
Achieve the beautiful hair you’ve always wanted with soft waves and deeper roots. Ash blonde is a highly desired shade but may not suit every skin tone. At times, these ash tones can dull your natural complexion, so ensure it complements you well. Deeper roots aid in reducing upkeep, resulting in fewer visits to the salon. Consider using a purple shampoo at home to maintain your ashy hue for a longer period.
#9 Frostflow Color Technique
Soft waves introduce movement to this long ash blonde balayage, merging natural dark roots with icy, ash-toned highlights for a seamless, low-maintenance transition. The balayage method shown here is perfect for those with fine to medium hair density seeking a natural-looking color update. This style particularly enhances round and oval face shapes, as the lighter strands framing the face contribute to a brighter complexion. The ash blonde hue beautifully tones down warm undertones, though it may necessitate the use of purple shampoo to sustain the shade.
#10: Subtle Ashy Blonde Balayage
Balayage in ashy blonde tones offers a striking contrast to a dark natural base. Consult your stylist to determine the ideal maintenance strategy and home care tailored to your individual hair requirements.
#11: Chic Ash Blonde
Light balayage of caramel and blonde shades recreates a chic ash blonde using the balayage technique. The lob looks stunning while maintaining a variety, with brunette and blonde hues on display.
#12: Long Hair with Dark Ash Root Balayage
Achieving a dark-rooted ash balayage on long hair creates a stunning effect that’s particularly flattering for women in their 20s and 30s. When consulting your stylist about your ash balayage choice, ask for a gradual blend for a seamless transition as your hair grows. Keep in mind, reaching this ash balayage tone may require multiple trips to the salon, particularly if you start with naturally dark hair.
#13: Deep Smoky Hair with Ash Blonde Highlights
Achieve a stylish appearance with deep smoky hair and ash blonde balayage highlights. The contrasting shades create depth and dimension that enhance long, thick hair. This hair color is ideal for individuals looking to introduce a hint of softness to their darker locks. And you don’t have to fully commit to a lighter shade. Not only does this hair color bring sophistication, but it’s also low-maintenance. This makes it an excellent choice for busy women on the move. Schedule your next appointment with your stylist today to ensure your color looks its finest.
#14: Luxurious Long Thick Hair with Ashy Balayage
If your hair is long and voluminous, consider incorporating an ashy blonde hue to enhance depth. Adding color to lengthy hair will break up your strands and introduce movement without excessive layering. Use a purple shampoo at home to maintain your color’s ashy and cool tone.
#15: Subtle Ashy Blonde Balayage with Cool Tones
If you desire a soft, natural appearance, consider a subtle ashy blonde balayage with cool tones. This balayage blends muted and cool shades for a polished effect. The ash undertones introduce a touch of elegance, while the balayage technique imparts depth and movement. Those with medium to dark skin often discover that cool-tone hair dye beautifully offsets their warm undertones, creating striking contrast. For individuals with a lighter complexion, it’s advisable to ask your colorist to elevate the blonde to a level 7 or above, which frequently yields a more appealing outcome.
#16 Ashy Dark Blonde Balayage
This ashy dark blonde balayage features a seamless blend of deeper roots transitioning into cooler, soft blonde ends. Ideal for long, wavy hair, this style adds depth and dimension, making it perfect for those with fine to medium hair density. The low-maintenance color reduces the need for salon visits while enhancing natural waves. However, regular use of purple shampoo is essential to maintain the cool tones and prevent brassiness.
#17: Smoky Silver Ash Blonde Glacier
Q&A with style creator, Rhonda Lopez
Master Stylist/ Balayage Specialist @ Fashion Hair Design Salon in Saginaw, TX
How would you characterize this look?
My favorite aspect of this balayage ash blonde color would have to be the contrast between the light ends and the deep roots. The natural contrast of this model’s dark roots helps to enhance her ends and allow them to stand out more than they would against a lighter base shade.
I love to style balayage with a loose wave to emphasize some of the texture from the color, especially if the client has a blunt cut like in this appearance.
The shade is smoky ice. Maintaining some depth with a smoky grey tone and allowing the icy blonde to brighten up the style, particularly since ashy tones can sometimes look dull without anything to contrast with.
Any tips for someone contemplating it?
I advise them on how high maintenance this color is to sustain since it is a semi-permanent tone. I recommend using a Blue Cool tone shampoo and conditioner to cleanse their hair.
Schedule toning services every 3-4 weeks to prevent unwanted golden undertones from reappearing.
When styling, utilizing low heat is essential to prevent color fading. Heat protectants and conditioning treatments are crucial to keep the hair hydrated. Once your hair reaches this blonde, it is more susceptible to drying out, and if not properly moisturized, it can become quite dry, brittle, and easily broken.
If you are a smoker, I wouldn’t recommend this color because smoke residue builds up, turning the hair golden quicker than usual.
I always collect a detailed list of hair treatments the client has undergone in the last three years. The client in this appearance came in with her natural virgin hair and has been a client of mine for over five years, which plays an essential role in achieving this desired color. If the client has a dark dye or box dye, I suggest accomplishing this look in stages. Although it might be possible to obtain the shade in one lengthy session, it would not be feasible to maintain the integrity of the hair in one session.
Lastly, you should understand that it will take time to achieve this look. Be prepared for a full day’s work. I’ve learned that the easiest way to obtain this color is with patience and ample time.
#18: Brown to Ash Blonde Gradient
Crafted through balayage, this is a gorgeous brown-to-ash blonde gradient for inspiration on your upcoming salon appointment. The color transition appears seamless as it enhances soft waves in your hair. The mid-length cut will be ideal for keeping your thick hair looking voluminous while removing some bulk.
This look is characterized by a neutral ash color transition/ombré. What I appreciate about this ash brown balayage is that it requires minimal upkeep without creating a prominent line of demarcation as it grows out.
Whenever the hair carries ash tones, it tends to demand more meticulous care than either neutral or warm shades. We incorporated some neutrality into this ash to ensure it balances beautifully with every wash. Color depositing or toning shampoo is an effective method to keep the color from becoming excessively warm between salon appointments.
#19: Sleek Smoky Ash Blonde Balayage for Lengthy Locks
Look like the ultimate cool girl with sleek smoky ash blonde balayage for lengthy locks. Shiny blonde highlights with an almost silver hue look bold and multi-dimensional. When it comes to maintenance, toning monthly will be necessary to keep tones cool and ashy. Avoid using nonprofessional products at home.
#20: Chic Medium Ash Blonde on Long Locks
Here’s a style that not only gives you a cool-toned mane but also radiates a trendy vibe! Achieve this stylish dimension of a medium ash blonde hue by opting for a balayage.
#21: Ash Blonde to Soft Blonde
This balayage color features a dimensional ash blonde with cool and neutral tones. My client was moving away from traditional foil highlights and desired something less uniform and more natural-looking. I opted for a lived-in style for her cut, which is a long bob with loose beach waves for effortless styling.
What I appreciate most about this ash blonde balayage is that my client doesn’t need to come back every three weeks for maintenance since she has a root shadow that blends with her grow-out.
Research your natural hair color and understand what to expect following your first appointment. Not all clients will achieve this shade of blonde, but it is attainable with patience and the right home care products for your hair. A solid home regimen will enhance your color and keep it vibrant.
#22: Subtle Ash Blonde
An integration of beautiful naturals, beige, and blondes harmonize in this wavy subtle ash blonde balayage masterpiece.
#23: Dark and Ashy Blonde
For a seamless melted effect, a blend of dark and ashy blonde will look stunning on your long hair! Beach waves can enhance body and volume if you prefer not to go for the sleek and straight look. A loose bun may seem casual, but it certainly won’t detract from the overall appearance.
There are a plethora of blonde shades to choose from, but if you seek something that feels authentic, opt for a natural tone (neither overly ashy nor too warm).
What I adore about balayage is its ease of upkeep. Many wish to experiment with blonde, but if you’re hesitant about taking the plunge with balayage, remember that post-service home care is essential, including suitable shampoo and treatments. The choice of shampoo is crucial for bleached hair (avoid sulfate, paraben, or silicon).
Individuals frequently inquire why their hair turns brittle, and the toner diminishes quickly. Often, this is due to using inappropriate shampoo. Choosing a shampoo that contains sulfate/paraben/silicon means no matter how much treatment or oil you apply, your hair will struggle to absorb it due to the presence of detrimental substances. Additionally, I refrain from bleaching very curly hair types because they tend to become excessively dry after bleaching, unless one is well-versed in proper care!
#24: Ash Blonde Balayage Featuring Deeper Roots
Consider trying this ash blonde balayage with deeper roots! This style is, largely, low maintenance. Utilizing purple shampoo to maintain your color’s cool and ashy tones will be beneficial.
#25: Soft Ash Grey Blonde
These subtle smoky ash-grey blonde balayage waves emulate icy locks with their muted tones. It’s excellent for beginners in coloring since the roots remain untouched.
#26 Cool Ash Blonde Balayage
Try this cool-ash blonde if you are looking for balayage options for straight hair. This shade is playful and perfectly on trend!
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