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20 Dirty Blonde Hair Ideas That Prove the Color Always Hits

Plus, it looks sooo good on so many skin tones.

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dirty blonde hair
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A change in the seasons is the perfect excuse for giving your look a lil revamp. Whether it's diving headfirst into the latest fall fashion trends or saving all your fave fall hair colors to your Pinterest board, let me be the first to suggest embracing dirty blonde hair. As hair stylist Stephanie Brown previously told Cosmo, "People want to get a strong fall color, but they don't want a lot of maintenance," which is why she recommends, "low-maintenance, high-impact" hair colors—read: dirty blonde. From embracing darker roots to incorporating rich, dimensional tones, this hair color has something for everyone—and trust, it's about to become your new obsession.

What I love about the color: It's a great way to get that ~effortlessly chic~ vibe—and for all the dirty blonde inspo you could ever need, I’ve rounded up 20 stunning looks that will have you sprinting to your stylist. Whether you're looking for a total style switch-up or already rocking dirty blonde hair and craving a fresh twist, you're in the right place. Below, you can find the perfect dirty blonde shade for you and your skin tone. Let’s dive in and find you the dirty blonde hair of your dreams, shall we?

Classic Dirty Blonde Hair

Sabrina Carpenter is pretty much the poster child for a dirty blonde look, no? Her classic dirty blonde hair is the perfect blend of sun-kissed pieces and soft waves that scream, "I woke up like this"...but you know she put in the work.

Highlighted Dirty Blonde Hair

The great thing about a dirty blonde hair lewk is that you can make it as bright or dark as you want it. Here, Reneé Rapp is rocking wispy bangs with highlighted blonde pieces that not only add dimension but brighten up her features as well.

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Golden Beige Dirty Blonde Hair

I'm absolutely loving this golden beige color, which is all about embracing some dimension. Its rich, warm tones make it so flattering on a variety of skin tones—plus, it adds tons of depth to your hair, so why not go for it?

Bright Dirty Blonde Balayage

Just because the word "dirty" is in the name doesn't mean it has to be dull. The mixture of darker roots with an all-over bright, buttery tone may not be the easiest to maintain, but the vibrant result is worth it in my book.

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Champagne Dirty Blonde Hair

I love how this shade has a silvery shine that leans on the cooler side. Since the roots remain closer to your natural shade, it's easy to blend the cool-toned dirty blonde colors from top to bottom to achieve this eye-catching look.

Ashy Dirty Blonde Hair

Cooler weather is the perfect time to experiment with ashy tones, and IMO, this look is the perfect mix of chill and edgy. Whether you're rocking beachy waves like these or a sleek style, ashy dirty blonde really is that girl.

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Two-Toned Dirty Blonde

Tbh, it takes a certain level of confidence (and trust in your colorist) to pull off this two-toned look. While most people try their best to seamlessly mix tones to achieve a dirty blonde look, the stark difference between the blonde and brunette colors makes for a really cool look.

Neutral-Toned Dirty Blonde Hair

Neutral-toned dirty blonde hair is the ultimate flex. It's soft, looks sun-kissed, and is super versatile. Plus, it seamlessly blends warm and cool tones to achieve a low-key yet stunning color.

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Dirty Blonde With Dark Roots

This one is for my low-maintenance girlies! This dirty blonde hair color can be easily achieved with naturally darker hair, as your roots will provide a edgy contrast to the blonde. Side note: Messy curls really show off the added dimension of highlights and lowlights.

Dirty Blonde With Sun-Kissed Highlights

I feel like every blonde and brunette has saved an inspo pic just like this one to their Pinterest. This highlighted look is the ultimate summer vibe...even if it requires a jacket to step outside. Whether it's beachy waves like these or a sleek ponytail, this look will always bring a lively glow—and would def need a good purple shampoo.

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Dirty Blonde With Scandi Hairline

*Matilda Djerf vibes have entered the chat.* Big, bouncy curls and bright dirty blonde hair go together like yin and yang. Amalia Berglund, Djerf's own hairstylist, previously explained to Cosmo that the trendy style is a hair-color technique where bleach is used to brighten the baby hairs around your face and "adds natural dimension and glow to your hair all year round."

Dirty Blonde With Full Bangs

This look sits perfectly at the intersection of retro vibes and modern flair. While big, full bangs may not be for everyone, they exude a major cool-girl aura if you can pull 'em off.

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Dark Dirty Blonde Hair

Sofia Richie is the epitome of graceful glam. Her loose waves and blended tones have the perfect lived-in look vibe that makes it appear as though she just strolled off a beach in the South of France (which she probably did, tbh). Though on the darker side, the lighter shades of blonde makes for a dreamy addition that catches light in all the right ways.

Caramel Dirty Blonde Hair

Add a little caramel into your dirty blonde look for a deliciously warm blend that's perfect for the fall and winter. With rich, golden hues like these, every wave and curl really pops.

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Dirty Blonde Bob

For the ultimate power move or a new start to the season, go for a short, dirty blonde bob. It's super chic and can be tousled for that undone look we all know and love. Seriously, it's a timeless cut that's both trendy and classic. Talk about a head-turner!

Honey Dirty Blonde Hair

Serena Williams' hair here is a nice blend of honey and caramel tones, and it's as striking as her serve. Those warm, golden tones throughout her curls look great on her skin tone and allows her to serve looks both on and off the court. Consider this dirty blonde look a grand slam (k, I'm done with the tennis puns).

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Dirty Blonde With Face-Framing Highlights

One of my favorite ways to do a dirty blonde color is to add highlights as face-framing pieces. They really help accentuate your features for a playful pop of brightness. Whether styled in soft waves or a messy updo like this one, this hair is seriously flattering in so many styles.

Dirty Blonde Braids

I've always wanted to try dirty blonde for my protective styles, and after seeing this vacay pic of Jordyn Woods, I'm 100 percent convinced that it's a must. Whether it's adding in a few strands of blonde or going all in, dirty blonde braids are a sure winner all year round.

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Dirty Bronde Hair

For the ultimate blend of brunette and blonde, go for a bronde color all over. It's warm, rich, and totally on-trend. It's the kind of color that feels vibrant, making you look like you just stepped off a sun-soaked vacation (when in reality, you just have a really good colorist). Seriously, bronde is a go-to look for anyone wanting a low-maintenance yet visually stunning look.

Dirty Blonde Ombre Hair

Ombre hair is a coloring technique where the color gradually transitions from darker shades at the root to lighter shades at the ends. Dirty blonde is the perfect color for this look and gives a beautiful gradient effect for added depth and dimension to your hair. Plus, it's pretty low-maintenance, since it allows your roots to grow out naturally.

Headshot of Chaise Sanders
Chaise Sanders
Associate Editor

Chaise Sanders is a NYC-based writer with a knack for all things lifestyle, beauty, entertainment, and style. Her work has graced the pages of Cosmopolitan, Country Living, InStyle, and more. When she's not busy crafting words, you can find her on Instagram roaming the streets of New York City, hunting down the best food spots, hidden gems, and deals.

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