Best Overall: Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Color Creme at Walmart ; Best Budget: Revlon Colorsilk Permanent Hair Color If you're a bit lost wading through brands, I would recommend Igora Royal 12-11 for an ash-toned high lift dye with reliable results.
Quick overview.
Depending on your needs, there are many different blonde hair dyes to consider. For dark hair, we like these options for high lift results and reliable results: Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Color Creme at Walmart , Revlon Colorsilk Permanent Hair Color , and IGGORA Royal 12-11 .
For gray hair, we recommend these: Head & Shoulders Intensive Repair Coloring Treatment , Clairol Natural Instincts Haircolor , Pravana Vivids Violet/Purple Semi-Permanent Hair Color
If you're ready to bleach your hair all over, you should know that sun protection is crucial when using chemical lighteners so it's important to use a top rated sunscreen daily.
Natural treatments (i.e., ammonia).
If you’re a bit lost wading through brands, I would recommend Igora Royal 12-11 for an ash-toned high lift dye with reliable results. The orangeblonde tones are perfect for blondes looking to tone down their hair without getting that harsh bleach look.
Trust me—this dye is as gentle as they come, which makes it great for someone who wants to go lighter but doesn’t want to damage their hair in any way. While it can be used on dark hair, my one caveat would be that it won’t lift grey hairs very well because of its lightening concentration. It is best suited for those with darker blonde or medium brown hair.
Bleach powder/liquid.
Blondes have more fun, right? Well, choosing a bleaching powder or liquid can be overwhelming when you realize there are dozens of brands and dozens of options within each brand.
At a basic level, ash tones look good on a variety of hair colors. However, results vary depending on your natural color and dye choice (if you go with coloring).
Keep in mind that semi-permanent dyes are gentler than permanent dyes so if you're inexperienced with dyeing your hair or want to be cautious about getting high lift results without an experienced professional's help, stick to semi-permanent dyes for lighter colors.
Developer cream/gel.
In an effort to avoid damaging hair, many at-home hair color users are turning away from traditional dyes and toward a newer technology: developer creams/gels. This trend began in Japan—where an entire aisle is dedicated to these tools—and has made its way stateside.
Developers, which are specifically formulated for use with coloring products (they have no bleach) increase conditioning power when mixed with color. They’re also thinner in consistency than regular creams or gels, so they can more easily slide through hair cuticles without clumping together. The result? Silky smooth strands with fewer breakages and split ends.
Swatches and picks.
If you’re a bit lost wading through brands, I would recommend Igora Royal 12-11 for an ash-toned high lift dye with reliable results. This formula dyes and lifts up to two levels lighter with just 30 minutes of processing time.
The hair dye is designed for dark hair but also works well on grey hair; as a bonus, you can use it without bleach if you’re in a pinch. For those who prefer Garnier products, I'd recommend their Nutrisse Nourishing Color Creme —you'll get rich color that dries faster than most other dyes and stays soft until your next wash.
Best blonde hair dye no orange.
If you’re looking for a blonde hair dye that won’t leave you with an orange tint or brassy streaks, there are a few options. The best blonde hair dye for dark hair without bleach is from Pureology. This no ammonia formula uses 12 volumes to lift up your natural tone, leaving your locks shiny and glowing with vivid gold tones that wash out in just 12 washes (you can certainly stretch it to 16 washes if you have time).
Not only does it prevent brassiness, but it also comes in at under $20—though if saving money isn’t your main concern, then go for L'Oreal Paris Excellence Crème Brillance instead.
Blonde hair dye for dark hair without bleach.
If you are dealing with dark hair that wants to stay black but you’re after an ash blonde look, it can be tough. It turns out choosing a blonde hair dye for dark hair without bleach is even more difficult than it sounds, because without that bit of lifting, your color may come out muddy instead of bright.
To take your new hair color from mousy brown to blinding shine, consider these products for your medium ash blonde shade. They will help keep those pesky roots clean and bright through all weather changes so no one guesses how often you really dye it!
Best blonde hair dye for dark hair.
Of course, not everyone wants to go ash blonde, so you may want to stick with a blonde dye that leaves behind more of your original color. On average, you can expect about 50% gray coverage if you’re trying to dye your hair from dark browns or black.
These dyes are best for people who either have slightly lighter hair or who aren’t looking for dramatic results—or both! Many of these dyes offer high levels of toning and low levels of bleaching, which means they tend to be less aggressive on hair while still giving you great results. If all goes well, you can expect even coverage without any orange tones.
Blonde hair dye without bleach and ammonia.
Finding a safe blonde hair dye without bleach and ammonia is important for maintaining your hair's health. While some people argue that bleach isn't necessary for high lift dye jobs, it certainly can help create lighter tones than what you'd get from just dye alone.
As for ammonia, that's going to depend on personal preference, but it can also increase shine and lift your color. I personally would go with Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Color Creme at Walmart because it offers both at an affordable price point.
If you have dark hair and want an ash tone, Igora Royal 12-11 offers great results if you're willing to spend a bit more (especially since you only need one box).
Best blonde hair dye professional.
Professional hair dye for darker hair is more likely to lift your natural color to a golden blonde. Hair that's naturally light brown will require multiple applications of bleach and developer; if you're looking for a professional job, visit a salon.
If you have dark brown hair and want just a bit of warmth at your roots, then look for an ash blonde with no peroxide content. You might also consider exploring non-permanent dyes like Pravana's Amore Fusion, which contains red pigments that lift over time without lightening your natural color—and fade gradually in response to sun exposure. Check out our guide to The 7 Best Non-Permanent Hair Dyes on Earth for more options!
Best blonde hair dye for grey hair.
For blonde hair, a good dye for hair that's light to medium brown without being too dark is Sun In and a one-step bleaching solution called Colorista from Sally Beauty Supply. Since both products are on trend for at-home coloring jobs, you won't have any trouble finding them in any large retailer like Walmart or Target.
On Amazon, both are even available for a little less than $10 each. If you have fine hair, keep in mind that Sun In might dry out your hair if used too often, so I would advise not using it more than once every 2 weeks to avoid damage.
Best hair dye to lighten dark hair without bleach.
One of the most common questions I get is how to dye dark hair without bleaching. In fact, it’s one of my most frequently asked questions! There are all sorts of reasons why you might be hesitant to bleach, so it can be hard to know what color dye will suit your needs best. Here’s a rundown of my five favorite dyes for different levels of lift and hair types.
This post includes information on dye brands, where to buy them, and application instructions for each product. I hope it helps clear up some confusion!
5 Best Hair Dyes for Dark Hair Without Bleach: My Top Choices in 2019 If you want lighter hair without bleaching, but aren't sure which products will work best for you or if your hair is dark enough for any at-home dye job at all (or even if coloring dark hair is safe), check out my top 5 picks below.
They're listed in order from darkest to lightest results - so start with those at either end of the spectrum before moving on to others further down the list as needed.