Honey blonde hair is a gorgeous hair color that flatters a wide variety of skin tones. But pinning down exactly what color “honey blonde” is can be tricky. Like other blonde shades, honey blonde encompasses a range of hues from warm to cool. And the final look depends on your base hair color and how porous your hair is.
In this article, we’ll break down what color family honey blonde belongs to. We’ll look at the different levels and hues that are considered honey blonde. And we’ll outline how honey blonde typically appears on different complexions and base hair colors.
What color family is honey blonde in?
Honey blonde is a member of the blonde color family. That means it’s a lighter shade than brunette or black hair.
Within the blonde family, honey blonde is considered a warm shade. It usually has subtle golden, amber, or caramel tones mixed in. This sets it apart from cool blonde shades like platinum, beige, or ash blonde.
So honey blonde is a warm variation of light blonde hair. But it’s not as pale and washed out as platinum blonde. And it doesn’t have the buttery yellowness of a strawberry blonde. It strikes a nice balance between the two.
Honey blonde levels
Like all hair colors, honey blonde shades are defined by their level on the hair color spectrum. Level refers to how light or dark the color is on a scale of 1 to 10.
On this scale, level 1 is black and level 10 is lightest blonde. Most honey blonde shades fall between levels 7 and 10. Here’s a quick breakdown of how honey blonde typically appears at different levels:
Level 7 honey blonde
This is a darker, more subtle version of honey blonde. It may read as light brown from a distance. Up close, the warm golden undertones are visible. Think of the honey blonde shade that Emma Stone often wears.
Level 8 honey blonde
At level 8, honey blonde takes on more medium blonde qualities. It’s a richer, brighter variation, but still in the blonde family. This level of honey blonde flatters fair and medium complexions. Jessica Alba and Gigi Hadid often wear their hair in this level of honey.
Level 9 honey blonde
This is a very light golden blonde, nearing platinum tones. It’s brighter than level 8 and has more contrast against the scalp. Olivia Munn and Miranda Kerr exemplify this bright version of honey blonde.
Level 10 honey blonde
At level 10, honey blonde reaches an extremely light pale shade. This ultra-light version can veer slightly lavender or beige in tone. Not many celebrities go this light with honey blonde, but Taylor Swift and Paris Hilton have tried it.
Honey blonde hues
Within each level, honey blonde encompasses a range of hues. These refer to whether the blonde has an ash, beige, golden, or amber base. Here are some of the most common hues you’ll see in honey blonde hair:
Golden honey blonde
This hue has a deeply warm, golden base. The overall look is a vibrant metallic blonde. It’s especially flattering on olive and medium complexions.
Amber honey blonde
Amber honey blonde has more red and copper tones mixed in. This gives it a richer, more glazed look. Amber honey blonde pairs well with peaches and cream skin tones.
Beige honey blonde
Beige blonde has subtle hints of ivory and cream. It lacks the bright golden hues of other honey blonde shades. This hue looks beautiful on fair, rosy complexions.
Ash honey blonde
Ash shades have a cool, pearly base with lavender-gray tones. Ash honey blonde is the coolest hue in the spectrum. But it still retains enough warmth to be flattering. Ash honey blonde works well with pink undertones.
How does honey blonde look on different complexions?
One of the trickiest parts of choosing a new hair color is figuring out whether it will complement your complexion. Here’s a quick guide to how honey blonde typically appears on different skin tones:
Fair skin
On very fair skin, honey blonde can look bold and striking. Beige honey blonde hues will look the most natural. But you can also pull off light golden and ash tones. Stay between levels 8 and 10 for the most flattering look.
Light or medium complexions
If you have a light peaches and cream complexion or medium beige skin tone, you’re lucky – nearly any hue of honey blonde will suit you! Aim for shades in the mid-range like golden or amber level 8 honey blonde.
Olive complexions
Those with olive or tan skin often look best in warmer, richer blonde shades. Level 7 honey blonde with golden or amber hues will beautifully complement and flatter this complexion type.
Dark or deep complexions
Honey blonde can work on darker complexions, but the hue and level need to be chosen carefully. It’s best to stay in the mid-range—not too light and not too warm. A beige or ash tone level 7 or 8 honey blonde will give enough contrast without washing you out.
How does honey blonde look on different base colors?
In addition to your skin tone, your natural hair color will affect how honey blonde hair dye turns out. Here’s a quick look at how honey blonde typically looks when applied to different base colors:
Light blonde base
If your natural hair is a light blonde, you’ll have the most options for honey blonde shades. Nearly any level or hue will show up beautifully on pale blonde strands. This makes customizing the tone simple.
Dark blonde base
Those with naturally dark blonde or mousey brown hair make great candidates for honey blonde. The warm tones liven up the mousy base while still looking natural. Golden and amber hues at levels 8-10 look best.
Medium to dark brown base
Honey blonde on top of brown hair gives a fun lived-in look, almost like natural highlights. Make sure to lift the base to a light brown first so the blonde shades show through. Beige and ash hues at level 8 work well over brown hair.
Black or very dark base
Getting to honey blonde from jet black hair will take time. You’ll likely need several highlighting or bleaching sessions to pre-lighten the base first. The warm hue will beautifully offset the contrast between the lifted blonde and darker roots.
How to get a honey blonde look
Ready to make the switch to honey blonde? Here are some tips for getting this gorgeous shade:
Highlighting
For subtle honey blonde color, ask your colorist for fine highlighting in shades like pale gold, beige, or amber. This will give you a sun-kissed, multi-dimensional look.
Full color
You can also go for an all-over honey blonde shade. This works best if your base is already a level 7 to 9 blonde or light brown. Ask for a golden or amber dye within your desired level.
Balayage
Balayage is great for a natural-looking transition to honey blonde. Your colorist will hand-paint freehand highlights in warm golden tones. This mimics how the sun lightens hair.
Toner
Toners are gloss treatments that cancel out brassiness and refine your highlights. A beige toner, for example, makes blonde hair cooler, calmer, and more honey-toned. Ask your colorist to customize a toner to your desired honey blonde hue.
Gloss
For upkeep between full color appointments, a clear blonde gloss keeps your hair shiny and vibrant. Look for gloss formulas that are enriched with warm pigments to maintain the golden honey tones.
How to care for honey blonde hair
Maintenance is key to keeping honey blonde hair looking salon-fresh. Here are some at-home care tips:
Purple shampoo
A purple shampoo like Fanola or Shimmer Lights is a must for honey blondes. The violet pigments in purple shampoo cancel out unwanted brassy tones. Use once a week or as needed.
Masks and treatments
Masks and treatments fortified with proteins and emollients help repair damage and keep blonde hair soft. Try masks with nourishing ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, aloe vera, or argan oil.
Avoid chlorine and saltwater
Chlorinated pools and saltwater can turn blonde hair greenish and dull. Always wet your hair before swimming and rinse it with fresh water afterward. A clarifying shampoo removes any lingering minerals.
Gloss treatments
As mentioned above, occasional clear gloss treatments refresh your blonde and boost shine between full color appointments. DIY touch-up kits like Madison Reed also make at-home glossing easy.
Limit heat styling
Heat styling can dry out and damage blonde hair, causing fading and breakage over time. Let your hair air dry when possible and use the lowest heat setting on hot tools. Apply a thermal protectant spray before styling.
How often to touch up honey blonde hair
Plan to touch up your honey blonde hue every 4 to 6 weeks. You may be able to stretch it to 8 weeks if you’re using glossing treatments. The warmer tones in honey blonde tend to fade faster than cool blondes. Ask your colorist how often they recommend maintaining your specific shade.
Honey Blonde Hair Inspiration
Ready to see how fabulous honey blonde can look? Here are some stunning honey blonde hair color ideas on celebrities and models for inspiration:
Jessica Biel
Jessica Biel’s rich golden blonde is the perfect example of amber honey blonde. It has soft warm tones and red undertones that flatter her complexion beautifully.
Hair Level | 8 |
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Hair Hue | Amber |
Emma Stone
Emma Stone looks gorgeous in golden honey blonde shades. This softly warm hue gives her hair a glossy, dimensional look and works well with her porcelain skin tone.
Hair Level | 7 |
---|---|
Hair Hue | Golden |
Margot Robbie
Margot Robbie pulls off platinum blonde beautifully thanks to beige and ash tones that complement her cool complexion. The hint of warmth still flatters her skin.
Hair Level | 10 |
---|---|
Hair Hue | Beige ash |
Olivia Munn
Olivia Munn’s golden honey blonde hair is gorgeous and bright. The warm shade pops against her chestnut roots while still looking multidimensional.
Hair Level | 9 |
---|---|
Hair Hue | Golden |
Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Aniston has defined California golden girl blonde hair. The beige base keeps it from getting brassy so it remains soft, natural, and sun-kissed.
Hair Level | 8 |
---|---|
Hair Hue | Beige |
Conclusion
Honey blonde is the perfect choice if you love warm golden blonde shades. When done right, it looks gorgeous on a wide range of complexions and base hair colors. Focus on finding the right level and tone within the honey blonde spectrum for your skin tone and natural hair. And take care to maintain your new shade with the right mix of purple shampoo, treatments, and gloss. Honey blonde hair is a look you’ll love for seasons to come.