Top 19 Blonde Hair Shades for Every Skin Tone, Recommended by Expert Hairstylists

1. For Olive Undertones: Sandy-Beige Blonde

Individuals with olive undertones possess a subtle golden or greenish hue in their skin. This deeper blonde shade blends neutral brown tones with sandy beige, creating a stunning effect. For Aniston, her colorist added honey-toned highlights around her face to enhance her natural radiance.

“This creates a warm, naturally luminous effect while adding depth and dimension,” explains celebrity stylist Bradley Leak. “The richness of this shade complements olive skin beautifully, harmonizing with its inherent warmth.”

2. For Olive Undertones: Caramel Blonde

Beyonce’s legendary caramel blonde stands out as one of the most flattering blonde shades for olive undertones. “Golden, slightly beige blondes work best with olive undertones, as they enhance the skin’s natural warmth and brighten facial features,” says Tylor Johnson, a renowned hair colorist and creator of Nous Haircare.

This blonde hue is ideal for darker skin tones, as it minimizes the need for excessive bleaching and ensures a smoother transition during hair regrowth.

3. For Olive Undertones: Dark Honey Blonde

Although Ariana Grande revealed she wore blonde wigs for her role as Glinda in Wicked, she also lightened her natural hair and brows for authenticity. This highlights the importance of discussing brow adjustments with your colorist during a dramatic hair color change. The lighter brows not only harmonize with Ari’s honey-blonde hair but also create a gentler, more cohesive appearance, showcasing the transformative power of well-matched brows.

4. For Cool Undertones: Platinum Blonde

Cool undertones often feature hints of pink, red, or even blue. A simple way to identify a cool undertone is to check the veins on your wrist—blue or purple veins typically indicate a cool complexion.

Platinum blonde is undeniably one of the most demanding shades to maintain, but its striking effect is worth the effort. While it pairs perfectly with cool undertones, the right techniques can make this shade flattering for a variety of skin tones.

“When lifted to the right level, it becomes a neutral, toneless base,” explains Tiffanie Richards, a master colorist at Louise O’Conner salon. “It enhances eye color and pairs beautifully with any blush shade.” Leak also highlights its stunning effect on darker skin tones, offering a bold yet harmonious contrast.

5.

For Cool Undertones: Grainy Blonde

For those seeking a natural, low-maintenance blonde, "grainy blonde" is an excellent choice. Hillier notes it works best on flat or ashy natural bases, creating depth that mimics natural movement.

"This is ideal for clients who don’t frequently visit for highlights," she adds. "It delivers a lived-in look, grows out seamlessly, and maintains a blonde, contrasted appearance."

6. For Cool Undertones: Soft, Baby Blonde

This delicate baby blonde shade combines a dark root with a mix of dark and bright tones for a multi-dimensional effect. The brighter layers around the face create a sun-kissed glow. “This style is ideal for fair skin with pink undertones,” says Leak. “The darker root avoids washing out the complexion, blending seamlessly with the skin for a polished finish.”

7. For Cool Undertones: Walnut Blonde

This shade is perfect for those who favor darker tones. Walnut blonde, a neutral ashy blonde with subtle depth, is particularly flattering for cool or neutral skin tones, as noted by Rogério Cavalcante, owner of The Second Floor Salon in NYC.

"Walnut blonde combines warmth and creaminess, striking a perfect balance between rich and golden blonde," explains Bianca Hillier, celebrity colorist and Olaplex ambassador. "It’s understated yet distinctly blonde."

She suggests this hue for those who want a subtle blonde look without straying too far from their natural color. It’s also a great choice for anyone considering a gradual transition to lighter blonde shades.

8. For Cool Undertones: Champagne Blonde

Champagne blonde is an ultra-light shade with a hint of soft pearl. "This blend of soft pink and pale gold creates a radiant, shimmering effect," explains Jessica Wall Innella, a colorist at Aloxxi. She recommends this hue for seasoned blondes looking to refresh their look.

It accentuates pink or cool undertones, delivering a sophisticated and polished appearance, Cavalcante adds.

9. For Cool Undertones: Frosted Cream

"Frosted cream is a cool, pale blonde with a creamy texture, perfect for cool or neutral skin tones," says Cavalcante. "It highlights cool pink undertones or blue eyes, offering a fresh and lively look. This high-contrast shade is especially flattering for cool undertones."

"On a naturally lighter base, this shade is incredibly low-maintenance while exuding a luxurious, high-end vibe," Hillier adds. For those with darker hair, achieving this look is possible but requires more frequent touch-ups. (We believe the effort is well worth it.)

10. For Warm Undertones: Buttery Blonde

Warm skin tones often have a peachy or golden hue, giving off a naturally sun-kissed glow. If the veins on your wrist appear greenish, you likely have warm undertones.

As the name suggests, buttery blonde features a warm, creamy base with cool-toned highlights for added dimension. "This shade is ideal for pale skin with warm undertones, offering depth and movement without the harshness or washed-out effect of very icy blondes," explains Johnson.

11. For Warm Undertones: Blended, Golden Blonde

Sabrina Carpenter’s iconic bombshell hair, featuring voluminous blowouts, Bardot-inspired curtain bangs, and a sun-kissed golden blonde shade, never disappoints. Colorist Laurie Heaps, who works with the pop star, emphasizes the importance of balanced highlights—neither too thick nor too thin—with brighter accents around her face and bangs. Sabrina’s look has undoubtedly become a go-to reference for colorists worldwide.

12. For Warm Undertones: Chantilly Blonde

While Beyoncé’s cowgirl-inspired style continues to shape fashion trends, her hair color is also making waves. Renowned colorist Rita Hazan crafted this stunning chantilly blonde shade, blending brightness with warm undertones. The milky white blonde stands out beautifully on warm skin tones like Beyoncé’s.

13. For Warm Undertones: Strawberry Blonde

If you’ve been anticipating a copper-inspired trend, this is your moment. Strawberry blonde transforms classic blonde with subtle, hidden streaks of soft copper at the crown. "The combination of delicate copper highlights with blonde creates a stunning apricot hue," says Innella. "It’s perfect for blondes wanting a chic, high-fashion look that’s still professional."

"It accentuates peachy, golden, or warm pink undertones, delivering a lively and youthful appearance," Cavalcante explains.

14. For Warm Undertones: Gray Blonde

For those drawn to cooler blonde shades but with warm skin tones, consider a gray-blonde like Khloe Kardashian’s. "Adding dark lowlights to previously double-processed blonde hair creates dimension and depth at the roots," she notes. The cool tones beautifully complement warm complexions, offering a striking contrast.

15. For Warm Undertones: Turmeric Blonde

Yellow tones are trending in hair color, but if you’re not ready for a bold banana shade, turmeric blonde offers a perfect compromise. This deep blonde base is enhanced with fine, bright, and warm blonde highlights for a subtle yet striking effect.

"This shade is ideal for those transitioning from a bold, chunky look to a softer, more dimensional style," says Innella. "It keeps the face-framing areas light while incorporating modern warm tones."

16. For Warm Undertones: Buttercream Blonde

If you love the warmth of turmeric but prefer a subtler look, buttercream blonde is an excellent option. "This shade captures warmth in the most elegant way," says Smith. "It looks best with varied highlights and lowlights to add movement and dimension."

17. For Any Skin Tone: Neutral Blonde

When unsure, a neutral blonde is a safe and flattering choice for all skin tones. This shade blends a range of undertones, making it universally appealing. "It’s a favorite of mine because it’s not flat but offers softness that enhances features without overwhelming them," says Johnson. "Neutral blonde is incredibly versatile, striking a balance between golden and cool tones, and suits everyone."

18. For Any Skin Tone: Icy Blonde

For a bold blonde that complements all complexions, consider an icy blonde like Ciara’s. Achieved through multiple foiling sessions and toning to eliminate yellow tones, this shade works beautifully on fair, pink-toned skin while creating striking contrast on darker or warm-toned skin. Warriner notes, "For warmer undertones, a platinum shade with a hint of yellow can better harmonize with your complexion."

19. For Any Skin Tone: Rooted Blonde

Rooted blonde is a versatile shade that adds depth to your hair, complementing warm, neutral, or cool skin tones based on the balance of roots and highlights. "It creates a stunning contrast between highlights and lowlights, while the darker roots can enhance the appearance of volume," Cavalcante explains. He suggests choosing a cooler or warmer blonde tone depending on your skin’s undertone.

"This is ideal for blondes who prefer fewer salon visits or are transitioning to brunette," says Jalyn Park Smith, a colorist at SPACE by Alex Brown.

The Bottom Line

"From a visual perspective, cool undertones pair best with cool blondes like ash or platinum, while warm undertones shine with shades like caramel and gold," Cavalcante notes. "However, I believe people should choose any hair color they love. Confidence and intention are what truly matter."