The world of blonde hair has a stunning range of shades, each with its own unique character. Broadly, these shades can be categorized into two main types: cool blonde and warm blonde. Choosing the right shade for your complexion and desired look can be the difference between striking and forgettable.
The difference between cool blonde and warm blonde is their tones and undertones. Cool blonde has icy, ashy tones with violet, blue, or ash undertones, while warm blonde has warmer hues similar to honey or caramel, with gold, yellow, or red undertones.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Cool Blonde
3. What is Warm Blonde
4. Similarities – Cool Blonde and Warm Blonde
5. Cool Blonde vs Warm Blonde in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Cool Blonde vs Warm Blonde
7. FAQ – Cool Blonde and Warm Blonde
What is Cool Blonde?
Cool blonde hair typically has undertones of blue, violet, or ash. These undertones impart a cooler, more ashy or silvery hue to the blonde hair. Cool blondes often appear more icy or platinum in tone. When picking cool blonde tones, consider your skin undertones. If your skin has pink, blue, or red undertones, cooler blondes can complement your features well. They blend nicely with these undertones, enhancing your natural glow.
Talking openly with your stylist is important when going for a cool-toned blonde. Tell them you prefer a more ashy blonde. This helps them understand the look you’re going for. Getting the perfect cool blonde might take a few salon visits, especially if you’re starting with warm or brassy tones. It involves gradually removing warmth from your hair to achieve the cool blonde you want.
What is Warm Blonde?
Warm blonde hair has undertones of gold, yellow, or red. These undertones give warm blondes a golden, honey, or caramel hue. Unlike cooler shades, achieving warm blonde hues is relatively straightforward and requires less lifting, regardless of the starting hair color. Typically, a mix of golden blonde and neutral blonde toners is used to achieve this warmth.
Warm blonde tones may not suit everyone. They particularly complement deep and dark skin tones. Honey and caramel blonde shades enhance these complexions, giving them a radiant and natural appearance. These warm highlights add depth and vibrancy to darker skin tones, creating a sun-kissed effect.
Similarities Between Cool Blonde and Warm Blonde
- Both are types of blonde hair.
- Cool blonde and warm blonde tones can be achieved with hair dye and bleaching.
- They can suit different skin tones depending on undertones.
- Both have various shades and tones.
- Both can enhance a person’s overall appearance.
Difference Between Cool Blonde and Warm Blonde
Definition
- Cool blonde is blonde hair with undertones of violet, blue, or ash, giving it an icy or silvery appearance.
- Warm blonde is blonde hair with undertones of gold, yellow, or red, resulting in a sun-kissed or honeyed appearance.
Undertones
- Cool blonde hair typically has undertones of violet, blue, or ash.
- Warm blond hair has a brassiness similar to honey and caramel.
Appearance
- Cool blond hair has icy, gray, ashy, or pearl tones.
- Warm blonde hair has a sun-kissed appearance, with tones ranging from golden to honey or caramel.
Complements
- Cool blondes often complement individuals with pink, blue, or red undertones in their skin.
- Warm blonde tones typically complement individuals with golden, peach, or yellow undertones in their skin.
Achieved by
- Achieving a cool blonde tone involves using ashier toners and removing warmth from the hair.
- Achieving warm blonde tones usually involves using a mix of golden blonde and neutral blonde toners.
Process
- Getting the perfect cool blonde may take multiple salon visits to eliminate warmth from the hair, even for those starting with blonde hair.
- Warm blonde tones are usually easier to achieve, needing less bleaching regardless of the original hair color.
Below is a summary of the difference between cool blonde and warm blonde in tabular form for side by side comparison.
Summary – Cool Blonde vs Warm Blonde
Cool blonde and warm blonde are two distinct types of blonde hair colors. Cool blonde features undertones of violet, blue, or ash, resulting in icy or silvery tones. In contrast, warm blonde features undertones of gold, yellow, or red, producing sun-kissed or honeyed hues. While cool blonde complements individuals with pink, blue, or red undertones in their skin, warm blonde suits those with golden, peach, or yellow undertones. Thus, this is the summary of the difference between cool blonde and warm blonde.
FAQ: Cool Blonde and Warm Blonde
1. Is vanilla blonde cool or warm?
- Vanilla blonde can be either cool or warm, depending on the specific undertones in the shade. If the vanilla blonde has more ash or cool undertones, it would be considered a cool blonde. Conversely, if it has warmer undertones like golden or caramel, it would fall into the warm blonde category.
2. Is Ash blonde cool or warm?
- Ash blonde is considered a cool blonde tone. It is not a warm blonde tone. It typically has undertones of blue or gray, giving it a cool, ashy appearance.
3. Should I be a warm blonde or a cool blonde?
- You can choose warm blonde if you have golden, peach, or yellow undertones in your skin and prefer a sun-kissed look. You can choose cool blonde if you have pink, blue, or red undertones and want a modern, edgy look.
4. Is Sandy blonde warm or cool?
- Sandy blonde hair is typically considered a warm blonde tone, not a cool blonde tone. It often features golden or beige undertones, giving it a sun-kissed and natural appearance.
5. What does dirty blonde hair look like?
- Dirty blonde hair typically has a mix of blonde and light brown tones, creating a natural, sun-kissed appearance. It often appears as a medium to light brown base with subtle blonde highlights or undertones throughout. The overall effect is a soft and muted blonde shade that resembles the color of beach sand or sun-bleached hair.
Reference:
1. “Breaking Down Warm Blonde Hair Colours.” Hair By I.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Blond haired woman” (CC0) Pxhere
2. “Blonde-haired Woman Standing Between Green Plants” (CC0) via Pexels