Today’s post is all about neutral blonde hair – what to ask for at the salon, how to maintain it at home, and the best products that keep your color bright, fresh, and healthy.

Neutral blonde is directly in the middle of cool and warm tones – think beige or creamy wheat undertones – and I find it to be the most flattering for most skin tones. Cool-toned blonde (think grey, ash, icy white) is a bit harsher and requires more upkeep since you’re canceling out all warm tones, which are natural to most hair colors. Warm-toned blonde leans more strawberry, honey, or golden and can sometimes look a little “orange” if not properly toned in between salon visits.

As someone who wants a bright, dimensional hair color that’s still easy to maintain, I always ask for neutral blonde tones. My hair naturally turns a bit warm in between visits, so neutral blonde is a lot easier (and less harsh) to tone it back to neutral using my favorite at-home toners than an icy platinum. On the other hand, warm-toned blonde can look too brassy or orange without consistent maintenance, and I find it really clashes with my skin tone, so neutral blonde really is my happy, balanced hair color.

the ultimate guide to neutral blonde hair

what to ask for at the salon

Show photos for reference. I always recommend sharing photos with your stylist, as hair tone is such a visual thing and words can get lost in translation. It’s important to compare your goals to what your stylist is realistically able to achieve in one visit (or multiple, since hair color changes can be a long-term process). A few other things to touch on or take into consideration:

what your natural tone is
how much they can realistically “lift” (or lighten) your hair color without causing damage
how often you want to visit the salon for touch-ups
what techniques would best be used to provide you with your desired result; I have a separate post comparing balayage to partial and full highlights that you can view here.

Be honest about your budget and maintenance routines. It’s important to work with your stylist and be fully transparent about how you’re willing to spend, as well as what your maintenance routine will realistically look like. Cool-toned blonde is notoriously harder (and more expensive) to maintain, but neutral tones give you a lot more wiggle room to work with. If you have very dark hair that’s never been colored before, your neutral blonde will look different from someone who has light brown hair with natural highlights. No matter what, your stylist will want to make sure that the blonde tone you both select looks best on you and is something you can keep up over time.

When in doubt, use this key phrase: “Low-maintenance, neutral-blonde hair color with natural dimension and sun-kissed highlights.”

the best products for neutral blonde hair

Even with a neutral tone, blonde hair is still technically color-treated, so using high-quality products will keep your hair healthy and shiny while also preventing further damage or unnecessary breakage.

shampoo

Davines NouNou Shampoo - This is my go-to shampoo because it’s gentle, doesn’t dry out my hair/scalp, and keeps my hair color looking fresh. Save money by buying the jumbo size; it lasts me nearly a year (and I wash my hair every day).

Ouai Fine Shampoo - I didn’t want to like this shampoo as much as I do, but it really is such a high-quality staple. It suds well without stripping your hair of its natural oils or color, leaves your hair feeling clean, and smells pretty without being overpowering. I do find the Davines shampoo to be a little more hydrating, but this is another favorite of mine.

Ouai Detox Shampoo - Detox shampoos remove excess product buildup, and it’s best to use one weekly (or every 10 days ish). Most detox shampoos are incredibly drying and can strip your hair of its natural oils, which is a nightmare for color-treated hair. This Ouai shampoo is the best one I’ve found; it’s gentle yet effective, and doesn’t strip your color. I use it every 10 days, and a little goes a long way.

REF Cool Silver Shampoo - I’ve always had the toughest time with purple shampoos because they either stain my hair/ hands, over-tone, or make a mess in the shower. This was recommended to me by my stylist, and although the product itself is a really dark purple, it is a thinner consistency, easy to wash out, and doesn’t stain. On average, I tone my hair every other week but don’t have a set schedule.

conditioner

Ouai Medium Conditioner - The best conditioner, and it comes in different formulas for Fine or Thick hair depending on your hair type. My hair is fine, but I still buy the Medium conditioner because it’s in stock more regularly than the Fine one is. This conditioner is hydrating yet lightweight, adds shine, and makes my hair feel stronger and healthier. The fragrance is light yet elevated; it really is beautiful but won’t overpower you (especially if you’re sensitive to fragrance like I am). I love that you can save by buying refill pouches, which are also better for the environment. I subscribe on Amazon to save money, and get this delivered every 4ish months.

Davines Heart of Glass Rich Conditioner - This is the best toning conditioner for blondes. I’m not super crazy about the smell (t’s very floral), but a little goes a long way and it leaves your hair very soft and shiny. I prefer this to toning shampoos as it’s a bit gentler, doesn’t dry out your hair, and never leaves a purple/ overtoned tint.

treatments, oils, and masks

Kevin Murphy Crystal Angel - These glosses make your hair so soft and shiny and are really worth the money, especially if you don’t want to deal with a toning shampoo or conditioner. I don’t love the smell (t’s kind of an older floral), but the results are so worth it. I haven’t noticed a big difference between this and Cool Angel, which is for cooler tones, so I use and recommend both interchangeably.

Ouai Fine to Medium Hair Treatment Masque - This is my go-to hair mask; I’ve even used it instead of conditioner in the past. It doesn’t weigh my hair down, and tames frizz without leaving a film. The scent isn’t overpowering, and it is easy to wash out. The brand is great about running sales, but now that Target has partnered with Ulta, I typically add this to my online order.

Unite Hair 7SECONDS Detangler Leave-In Conditioner – Color-treated hair is more susceptible to damange, so a heat protectant is a must. While this is a little pricey, I like that it also works as a detangled and leave-in conditioner, so you get multiple uses out of one product. The scent is so fresh and lightweight, and the hydration really makes my hair shine without weighing it down or leaving a film.

Dae Hair Prickly Pear Hair Oil - This is an incredible treatment oil for adding hydration back into your hair. I recommend applying it to wet hair and then put your hair in a loose bun before washing it out a few hours later. It is deeply hydrating without feeling greasy, but a little too heavy to be used as a gloss. It’s also a great finishing product for taming frizz and adding shine, especially if you don’t love hairspray. If you try anything from this brand, this is what I recommend.

Ouai Matte Pomade – Aerosol sprays can be especially drying, so I use this to tame flyaways close to my roots instead of hair spray. The jar will last you forever and it’s easy to travel with, too. It warms really well in your hands, making it easy to spread without leaving your hair greasy or crunchy, and smells so good.

Davines This is a Shimmering Hair Mist - For those that love a finishing hair spray, this one makes your hair glow and look like you just left the salon. It’s very lightweight and is designed to add lots of shine to your hair (but no glitter). I love that it doesn’t leave your hair crunchy, and while the scent is very sweet, it’s not overpowering.

Davines Liquid Spell Reinforcing Bodifying Fluid - While it may seem like a mousse because it’s a liquid-to-foam texture, this doesn’t make your hair crunchy or sticky. Safe for all hair types, this adds body while also strengthening the outer hair fiber, so you get an extra layer of protection as you’re styling.