What color highlights look good with dirty blonde hair

Dirty blonde hair is a medium blonde shade with hints of light brown, such as wheat or cappuccino tones. It is achieved by adding darker tones to naturally blonde hair or lightening brown hair with streaks of darker blonde. Though it works for various eye colors, it flatters warmer skin complexions the best.

Erin McGrath is a talented hairstylist and salon owner in The Woodlands, Texas. She offered some advice for women who like to go dirty blonde next.

💡 Key Things to Know First

  • Keep the hairline bright, so you always feel brightest around your face.
  • The dimension can be similar to your natural hair color for a softer grow out.
  • Use color-safe shampoos to extend your hair service in between salon visits.
  • Dry shampoo or texturizing spray is great for styling. McGrath loves the Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo Light Tones and Davines Dry Texturizer.
  • Bring photo inspirations to the consultation to check with your stylist whether your preferred blonde is ideal for your skin tone and natural hair color.

To help you find your hair inspiration, here’s a photo gallery of the most popular dirty blonde hair color ideas.

What color highlights look good with dirty blonde hair

#1: Natural-Looking Dirty Blonde Bob

A natural-looking bob is a great choice if you want a low-maintenance style. Perfect for natural medium and light hair tones, dirty blonde color can be achieved by asking your stylist for blonde and light brown baby lights. With the addition of a bob haircut, your hair will be looking full-bodied and polished with low effort and maintenance.

What color highlights look good with dirty blonde hair

#2: Dirty Blonde Money Piece on Dark Hair

Try a dirty blonde money piece on your dark hair if you’re a brunette who wants a change, but doesn’t want to be too blonde. The honey blonde hair tone looks great on most skin tones. Ask your stylist for a balayage with a money piece.

What color highlights look good with dirty blonde hair

#3: Reverse Dirty Blonde Ombre

A highly textured dirty dark blonde hair root to sexy brunette tips is an ultra-fabulous style to treat yourself with. Adorn your long dirty blonde ombre hair color with waves to majorly accentuate that perfect blend!

What color highlights look good with dirty blonde hair

#4: Dirty Blonde Bangs

Dirty blonde bangs are the perfect accent to a stunning pixie cut. If you’re ready for a cool short haircut, be sure to ask your stylist for side-swept bangs which will not only showcase your eyes but add some flair to this amazing haircut. To create this style, blow dry your bangs with a paddle brush and lock them into place with Amika’s Fluxus Hairspray for that touchable finish.

What color highlights look good with dirty blonde hair

#5: Low-Maintenance Dirty Blonde

Try a low-maintenance dirty blonde hair color if you’re a busy woman on the go and don’t like to spend lots of time at the salon. The color placement ensures a beautiful grow-out and adding lowlights creates dimension which makes those blonde hues pop. This cooler dirty blonde color will complement women with a warmer skin tone, so don’t be afraid to ask your stylist to add some dimension to your blonde.

What color highlights look good with dirty blonde hair

#6: Stunning Dirty Blonde Balayage

Dirty blonde balayage is the perfect low-maintenance color. The warm tones complement most skin complexions which is what makes it universally flattering. The color placement of balayage on your dirty blonde hair ensures a seamless grow-out, which means no harsh lines. This also increases the timing between salon visits. When styling your long dirty blonde hair, add some curls and spray in some Bedroom Hair by Kevin Murphy for that perfect beachy style.

What color highlights look good with dirty blonde hair

#7: Natural Dirty Blonde Hue

Consider a natural dirty blonde hair color as a change from your typical solid blonde look. Keeping the dirty blonde hair a more natural mix of blonde tones helps give your tired hair a break and allows it to heal. A natural blonde hue is also great if you are looking to switch to a more low-maintenance color. Ask your stylist to match your natural root color to create dirty blonde highlights and lowlights.

What color highlights look good with dirty blonde hair

#8: Gorgeous Dirty Blonde Hair with Highlights

Try dirty blonde hair with highlights if you’re after a beachy, sun-kissed, yet lower maintenance hair color. This color is great for women with naturally light brown to dark blonde hair. This bright beige tone looks great on neutral, warm, and cool skin tones. If paired with darker roots, dirty blonde hair with blonde highlights is lower-maintenance than the traditional highlights.

What color highlights look good with dirty blonde hair

#9: Dirty Blonde Curly Hair

Dirty blonde curly hair is great for ladies with thick hair looking to liven up their curls. The beige tone looks wonderful on a variety of skin tones. A curl specialist is going to be the best person to help you achieve this haircut and style.

What color highlights look good with dirty blonde hair

#10: Yummy Dirty Strawberry Blonde Hair

Dirty strawberry blonde hair is a great color if you have a neutral to warm skin tone. Coppery balayage highlights create dimension throughout and brightness around your face.

What color highlights look good with dirty blonde hair

#11: Daring & Dark Dirty Blonde

A dark dirty blonde hair color is perfect if you are looking to transition from artificial hair color to embracing your natural greys. To achieve darker blonde shades, you will need to ask for babylights and a silvery matte toner. Prepare to be in the salon for several hours when receiving a full babylight service. To maintain this tone, you will need a purple shampoo and visit the salon for toners.

What color highlights look good with dirty blonde hair

#12: Beautiful Dirty Blonde with Blonde Highlights

A dirty blonde with blonde highlights is a relatively low-maintenance color because the contrast between the highlights and the natural color is not too big. If you want to feel blonder just ask your colorist to leave a bolder blonde money piece around your face and go softer on the highlights around your crown area. That placement will also prolong the time between your color services to 12 to 14 weeks because you will get a softer re-growth.

What color highlights look good with dirty blonde hair

#13: Soft Dirty Blonde Money Pieces for Women Over 70

If you’re a woman over 70, soft dirty blonde money pieces add dimension and brightness. They give you a youthful feel to your hair color. Money pieces are mainly focused on your face but can also be used throughout your hair to add a “wow” factor.

What color highlights look good with dirty blonde hair

#14: Dirty Blonde with Purple Ends for Women Over 50

If you’re a lady over the age of 50, purple ends on dirty blonde hair add a fun tone and dimension to fashion colors. A darker shade of purple in highlight form one of the more conservative dirty blondes.

What color highlights look good with dirty blonde hair

#15: Modern Dishwater Blonde Hair Color for Older Women

Modern dishwater blonde hair is very soft and dimensional with a few pops of bright blonde color. Perfect if you’re an older woman, dimensional blonde hair will create a youthful glow and is very versatile!

What color highlights look good with dirty blonde hair

#16: Dirty Blonde Hair with Lowlights for Women Over 60

If you’re over the age of 60, dirty blonde hair with lowlights is an easy way to blend out your grey hair. Adding in lowlights allows dimensions and an even and faded grow-out with lower upkeep. Short dirty blonde hair is guaranteed to be very easy to style.

What color highlights look good with dirty blonde hair

#17: Dirty Platinum Blonde with Dark Roots

When looking for dirty blonde hair ideas, consider a metallic shade that suits a warm to neutral complexion. This color illuminates your hairstyle when under the light. Perfect for all types and lengths of hair, whether it be a pixie or simple straight medium hair.

What color highlights look good with dirty blonde hair

#18: Fun Dirty Blonde Ombre with Beach Waves

A dark to light dirty blonde hair with ombre like this is what everyone’s wanting right now. Absolutely beautiful and easy to style!

What color highlights look good with dirty blonde hair

#19: Dirty Ash Blonde on Shoulder-Length Hair

Feel like a beach goddess with this dirty ash blonde hair, paired with a shoulder-length cut, smokey roots, and subtle balayage that looks perfect on straight layered hair. This dirty blonde style is also a perfect choice if you have mid-length, thin, fine hair.

What color highlights look good with dirty blonde hair

#20: Brunette Medium-Length Hair with Honey Highlights

Add depth and dimension to your natural dirty blonde hair for a healthier hairstyle with these warm caramel streaks! The golden highlights look wonderfully vibrant when combined with dark hair because of the contrast and added dimension.

What color highlights look good with dirty blonde hair

#21: Amazing Dirty Bleach Blonde

A really cool white-as-snow dirty blonde hair dye can bring out the pink in your skin and enhance your hazel eyes, especially if you have blue or grey hints to them. Ideal for wavy lobs and layered cuts.

What color highlights look good with dirty blonde hair

#22: Alluring Light Dirty Blonde

Spice up your natural hair color with light dirty blonde hair that looks undeniably pretty on any skin tone.




What Colours suit dirty blondes?

The Best Colors to Wear If You Have Dark Blonde Hair.
Mustard. Mustard is a great color you can wear if you have dark blonde hair because it accentuates your tresses even though it is a muted color. ... .
Red. ... .
White. ... .
Pastel Colors. ... .
Jewel Tones..

Is dirty blonde hair warm or cool?

Dirty Blonde – or – Dishwater Blonde Hair Color Defined Experts say it's a dark blonde or very light brown shade that tends to be cool in tone (silvery) rather than warm (golden.)

Is Dirty blonde a pretty hair color?

As seen on Instagram, dirty blonde hair becomes one of the hottest styles that girls ask colorists for in 2022. It's versatile and looks good on pretty much anyone. Besides, if you're a brunette on a color-changing journey, this shade is perfect to help you go lighter without causing any damage.

What is the best color highlights for dark blonde hair?

Try a dark ash caramel blonde for a great contrast between the base and highlights. It's good to keep dark blonde hair shades in the same color family for the most natural look, as well easy upkeep. The dishwater blonde style is for you if you're looking to be a darker blonde but do not want high damage to your hair.