Mane Changer: 3 Ways to Get a Gorgeous Expensive Blonde Hair Color

After the meteoric rise of the expensive brunette hair color trend, it’s only natural that the blonde version is gaining incredible popularity. After all, this viral hair color trend is low-maintenance, chic, and shockingly  not all that expensive to execute. 

If you’re looking for blonde hair color ideas to switch up your already blonde strands, or you’re looking to get the color in a way that won’t require a ton of maintenance, expensive blonde hair might just be perfect for you. And the best part is, there are several ways to do it. Below, we’re sharing three ways to get a gorgeous expensive blonde hair color. 

What Is Expensive Blonde Hair?

Why we love it: For the uninitiated, expensive blonde hair is like the cool, younger sister of expensive brunette hair. It focuses on dimension and shine rather than the specific shade of blonde — although most people sporting the trend have fairly warm and medium blonde hair. 

It features subtle variation in color thanks to highlights or lowlights, and the hair looks healthy and glassy which can be tricky to achieve when going for a blonde shade that requires extensive hair bleaching. 

How to Get Expensive Blonde Hair 

1. Add Lowlights to Light Blonde Hair 

Considering that expensive blonde hair is all about achieving a dimensional, lived-in color, adding lowlights can be a great option. If you’re starting with platinum blonde hair or another light blonde shade, adding in lowlights helps to create dimension and bring a bit more of a natural color and look to your hair. 

This is also a good option because while it’s more expensive than getting a single process color, it won’t require constant maintenance to keep your roots looking fresh and therefore is a great investment. 

2. Add Highlights for Brightness 

If your starting shade is a light brown or bronde color, opting for blonde highlights can help to brighten your overall look without undergoing a drastic transformation. The key to getting blonde highlights that still maintain the signature natural look of the expensive blonde trend is to choose highlights that aren’t a major contrast from your base color. 

The L’Oréal Paris Le Color Gloss One Step In-Shower Toning Gloss in Honey Blonde is a great option because it’s a light to medium warm blonde shade that will give light blonde hair dimension and tons of shine. It works in just 15 minutes in the shower to deeply condition your hair and tone your color. 

3. Get Blonde Balayage 

This trend is all about creating a lived-in look. To achieve this, you’ll want to add dimension to your color using a technique that grows out naturally — and balayage is the perfect choice for this if you’re starting with dark blonde or light brown hair. As the balayage highlights grow out, you won’t have to deal with a harsh line of demarcation. 

Get the look: If you’re starting with dark hair, you’ll need to dye your hair to a natural-looking blonde color, like the L’Oréal Paris Féria in Light Beige Blonde or the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Medium Blonde, before getting balayage done. Follow the directions in your hair color kit of choice for a gorgeous, brilliant color. 

Once your base color is done, head to the salon and ask your stylist to give you medium blonde balayage highlights that will complement your base shade and won’t look too bright or stark. 

Next: Mane Changer: 4 Ways to Pull Off Pastel Pink Hair

Written by: Alyssa Kaplan, Photo Credit: IG/@laurenaustin_stylist