From sunflower blonde to platinum hairs, there’s no shortage of blonde variations to choose from. Those looking for a more natural, “lived in,” and uncomplicated look might want to think about dishwater blonde, which, regardless of its less than glamorous name, is really rather beautiful. Add to that its simple upkeep and adaptability and you’ve got yourself a downplayed, simple blonde that’s both traditional and modern.
What Is Dishwater Blonde?
Dishwater blonde is a medium-dark blonde hair color with cool undertones, states Chaz Dean, star stylist and creator of WEN. It’s a variation on filthy blonde, which gets lighter towed the ends of the hair from natural UV direct exposure.

” This pattern has become more popular since it’s much easier to preserve than light or brilliant blonde tones that reveal regrowth extremely easily,” Dean says. “It’s also a way to subtly go deeper for the cooler months without totally diving into a brunette tone that takes longer to lift out when you feel like lightening back up in the summer season.”
Who Looks Best in Dishwater Blonde?
The color is flexible and can be adapted according to your complexion. It’s a great alternative for blondes who want a more uncomplicated, low-maintenance shade and can likewise work for brunettes who want to slowly go lighter.

When at the salon, Dean states to “ask your stylist for a natural ashy, darker blonde shade that toes the line in between blonde and light brown.”

If you don’t want to go too cool with your hair color, you can always ask your stylist to include some warm tones for a more neutral versus ashy surface.
How to Maintain Dishwater Blonde Hair
The appeal of dishwater blonde hair is that it’s fairly easy to keep. Dean states that, depending on your base, you can schedule root touch-ups every 8 to 10 weeks. And if you go with balayage or a root spot, you may find yourself having to go even less than that since these strategies aid with grow-out.

The greatest problem you might run into with dishwater blonde, which is true for any blonde, is brassiness that establishes over time. Utilizing a clarifying shampoo every week or 2 can also help because brassiness in some cases establishes from mineral accumulation in the hair.

Aside from that, ensure to deep condition your hair once a week, and be conscious about heat styling given that bleach can harm hair.