The 5 Best Ash Blonde Hair Dyes of 2023

When it comes to coloring your hair, particularly if you’re transitioning from a darker to a lighter shade, it’s important to understand that chemical dyes are necessary to achieve the desired tone and shade. It’s important to have realistic expectations when using ash blonde hair dye on black or brown hair, as it won’t magically transform it into a full blonde shade. For individuals with dark hair, the process of bleaching is necessary to achieve ash blonde results.

While professional salon dye jobs are often the best option, you can come close to achieving salon-like results at home by choosing the right hair color product. And with so many options on the market, you can find products designed to offer color that lasts while minimizing damage to your hair. To achieve those ash blonde, damage-free tresses, consider using one of the top ash blonde hair dyes on this list. 

Best ash blonde hair dyes overview:

• Best overall: L’Oreal Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Medium Ash Blonde
• Best extreme change: Clairol Nice’n Easy 9A Light Ash Blonde
• Best for gray coverage: Wella Color Charm Permanent Gel 9A Pale Ash Blonde
• Best natural formula: Naturtint 10a Light Ash Blonde Permanent Hair Colorant
• Best for a sensitive scalp: Herbatint Permanent Haircolor Gel 8C Light Ash Blonde

How we chose the best ash blonde hair dyes

To compile this list, we researched manufacturer specifications like ingredients, gray coverage, and more, to create a short list of the top ash blonde hair dyes. Then, we combed through detailed product descriptions, ratings, and reviews to find the best ash blonde hair dyes for each category.

Our picks for the best ash blonde hair dyes

L’Oreal Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Medium Ash Blonde is a popular choice for achieving an ash blonde hair color. It offers long-lasting color with its shine-boosting formula that adds vibrancy to your hair. The medium ash blonde shade provides a cool, muted tone that complements various skin tones. 

One of the unique features of this hair color is its fade-defying formula, which helps maintain the ash blonde color for a prolonged period. The dye also includes conditioning agents that help keep your hair soft and manageable. 

The L’Oreal Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Medium Ash Blonde is a great choice for those who desire a long-lasting, cool-toned ash blonde look. It provides excellent gray coverage and can help neutralize any unwanted warm tones in the hair. With its fade-resistant formula and conditioning properties, your hair will be vibrant and nourished.

Hair type: All | Cruelty-free: No | Vegan: No

Clairol Nice’n Easy 9A Light Ash Blonde is a popular choice for achieving a bold ash blonde hair color. The light ash blonde shade is a cool and sophisticated tone that suits a range of skin tones. The formula features ColorBlend technology, which blends different tones and highlights to create dimension and depth in the hair, helping to avoid that flat appearance often associated with single-toned ash blonde shades. This helps achieve a more natural and multi-dimensional ash blonde result. 

It’s a great choice for those who prefer a hassle-free and reliable option for achieving ash blonde hair; Its user-friendly application process makes it suitable for at-home use and beginners that may be new to hair coloring. However, some consumers reported that the color could turn out slightly darker than expected, especially if applied to darker hair shades.

Hair type: All | Cruelty-free: No | Vegan: No

Wella Color Charm Permanent Gel 9A Pale Ash Blonde is a great option for achieving an ash blonde hair color. It offers numerous benefits, including a long-lasting formula that provides vibrant color and excellent gray coverage. The pale ash blonde shade creates a cool and subtle tone that suits a variety of skin tones. One of the unique features of this hair dye is its gel consistency, which allows for easy and precise application. The gel formula also helps prevent drips and runs, resulting in a more controlled, mess-free coloring process.

If you’re seeking a lasting and natural-looking ash blonde result to diffuse those grays, Wella’s a good choice. It’s ideal for neutralizing any unwanted warm tones in the hair, creating a cool and sophisticated look.

Hair type: All, except for those with sensitive scalps | Cruelty-free: No | Vegan: No

Naturtint 10a Light Ash Blonde Permanent Hair Colorant is a natural hair dye option. It offers several benefits, including a gentle and ammonia-free formula that minimizes damage to the hair. It’s enriched with natural ingredients, such as plant extracts and oils, which help nourish and strengthen the hair during the coloring process.

It’s formulated with a range of beneficial plant-based ingredients, including meadowfoam seed oil, shea butter, baobab proteins, quinoa, and oleic acid derived from olives. These ingredients work together to condition and soften your hair while delivering a beautiful ash-toned color. What sets Naturtint apart is its commitment to avoiding toxic ingredients like parabens, ammonia, artificial fragrance, and heavy metals. 

Hair type: All | Cruelty-free: Yes | Vegan: Yes

Herbatint Permanent Haircolor Gel 8C Light Ash Blonde is a popular option for achieving an ash blonde hair color. It offers numerous benefits, starting with its gentle formula that’s enriched with herbal extracts. This hair color gel provides long-lasting results and excellent gray coverage while also promoting hair health.

It’s free from harsh chemicals such as ammonia, parabens, and resorcinol, making it suitable for individuals with sensitive scalps or those seeking a more environmentally conscious choice. The herbal extracts and nourishing ingredients in Herbatint help maintain the health and vibrancy of the hair while achieving the desired ash blonde shade.

Hair type: All | Cruelty-free: Unclear | Vegan: No

Give ash blond hair a go

Finding the best ash blonde hair dye can be a personal journey, considering factors such as hair type and color, desired results, and individual preferences. We examined various options, but one product that consistently stands out is the L’Oreal Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Medium Ash Blonde. 

Its exceptional qualities, including long-lasting color, fade resistance, and a formula that balances vibrancy with minimizing damage, make it a top choice. It provides excellent gray coverage and neutralizes warm tones. Whether you’re looking to transform your hair at home or seek professional salon-like results, L’Oreal Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Medium Ash Blonde is a top choice for achieving stunning ash blonde locks.

How to choose the best ash blonde hair color 

Choosing the best ash blonde hair color requires considering a few key factors. When selecting the right ash blonde hair color product, consider your skin tone, hair type, thickness, condition, desired shade intensity, and any other specifications you might need, like gray coverage or ammonia-free formulas. 

Skin tone

First, determine your skin’s undertones, like warm, cool, or neutral, then follow the tips below for shade selection.

• Warm. For individuals with warm undertones, opt for ash blonde shades with golden or honey undertones to complement your skin. 
• Cool. If you have cool undertones, choose ash blonde shades with silver or platinum undertones for a harmonious look. 
• Neutral. Individuals with neutral undertones have the flexibility to experiment with various ash blonde shades, as both warm and cool tones can suit them. 

Hair type

Determining what type of hair you have can help you select the best color formula.

• Dry. When searching for an ash blonde hair dye best for dry hair, there are a few key factors to consider. Look for a hair dye that contains nourishing ingredients like oils, proteins, or moisturizing agents to help hydrate and restore moisture to dry strands. Opt for a formula that is gentle and ammonia-free to minimize further drying or damage to your hair. 
• Oily. When selecting an ash blonde hair dye for oily hair, consider a formula that offers oil-controlling properties to help manage excess oil and maintain a fresher appearance. Look for hair dyes that are lightweight and non-greasy to avoid further weighing down the hair. Additionally, choosing a hair dye with a matte finish can help minimize the appearance of oiliness, providing a cleaner and more balanced look.

Hair thickness

How thick your hair should also be a consideration, as some dyes can weigh down hair. 

• Fine. When selecting an ash blonde hair dye for fine hair, opt for a lightweight formula that won’t weigh down the hair or make it appear flat. Look for a hair dye that adds volume and body to fine hair, creating the illusion of thicker strands. Additionally, choose a hair dye that offers gentle and nourishing properties to minimize any potential damage and keep fine hair healthy and vibrant.
• Thick. When seeking an ash blonde hair dye for thick hair, it’s important to choose a formula that offers strong and even coverage to ensure consistent color throughout the thick hair strands. Look for a hair dye with a thick and creamy consistency that can penetrate and effectively coat the dense hair texture. Additionally, selecting a hair dye that provides nourishing and conditioning benefits can help maintain the health and manageability of thick hair during the coloring process.

Other specifications

If you need gray coverage or want a hair dye that’s natural, vegan, or organic, there are options on this list for you. Make sure to read the fine print to figure out what’s best for your preferences.

FAQ

Is ash blonde good for people over 50? 

Ash blonde hair can be a flattering and elegant choice for people over 50. The cool, muted tones of ash blonde complement aging skin tones and provide a sophisticated look. Ash blonde hair can also help to soften the appearance of gray hair, creating a natural and youthful effect.

Can I go from gray to ash blonde?

Transitioning from gray to ash blonde can be a bit challenging, as gray hair tends to lack pigment, making it more resistant to color. Achieving the desired ash blonde shade may require multiple sessions to lift the gray and deposit the desired tones. It’s crucial to consult with a professional colorist who can assess your hair’s condition and recommend the best approach to achieve a seamless and vibrant ash blonde result.

What’s the best brand for ash blonde color?

With the growing popularity of ash blonde hair color, there are several brands that offer quality color options. Some popular brands known for their ash blonde shades are L’Oréal Paris, Wella, and Clairol. It’s important to consider factors such as your hair’s condition, desired shade, and any specific needs you may have, like if you want an ammonia-free formula or are looking for gray coverage. Consulting with a professional colorist can also help determine the best brand and shade for your hair type and desired results.