Ash Blonde Vs. Ash Brown: Which Color Is Right for You?

Ash blonde vs. ash brown — what’s the difference? Both colors are closely related to each other since they have cool ash undertones. Moreover, they both work great for minimizing brassiness or unwanted warmth in your color. Yet, at the same time, there are some differences between them. So, which one is right for you? Read this post to find out!

Ash Tones Explained

Before we discuss ash blonde vs. ash brown, we’ve got to answer one important question first: what is ash hair color?

Ash refers to colors that are cool in tone, such as violet, gray, blue, or green. These tones are used to counteract warm undertones, like yellow, orange, or red to achieve a more neutral color result. It’s important to note that there are different shades of ash tones depending on how light or dark the color is.

Ash undertones are perfect for those who do not like to see too much warmth in their color, especially if they are going from a darker natural color to a lighter color. Why? Because anytime you lighten hair, it will always expose the natural warm undertones that exist in hair (such as yellow, orange, or even red). Think of highlights going brassy, or brunette hair fading to red. It’s just the nature of hair color. You can either embrace the warmth or minimize it, depending on your personal preference and the look you're hoping to achieve. 

Ash Blonde vs. Ash Brown

Now, let’s focus on how ash blonde and ash brown hair colors differ:

The main difference is their respective levels on the hair color chart — ash browns fall between levels 4-7, while ash blondes fall between 8-11. Some hair color brands may vary, but this is the typical international color chart scale. So, which one is right for you? Well, it depends on your current hair color.

Take, for instance, our Pisa Blonde 9NA — this is a level 9 medium ash blonde. This is ideal for you if your natural hair color is between levels 7 and 9 and you're aiming for the coolest blonde result possible. Permanent hair color can typically lift natural hair up to two levels lighter, so we don't recommend using a level 9 shade like this if your hair is any darker than a level 7. You might end up with a color that’s too warm (yellow-orange) and not as light as you are anticipating. 

On the other hand, Siena Brown 6NAV is a level 6 medium ash brown. This is great for brunettes wanting a cool ash brown result. The same two-level lift rule above for blondes also applies here. A level 6 is great for someone who is no darker than a natural level 4. This will counteract as much warmth as possible. If you are a brunette and you want to go lighter than two levels, we'd advise getting highlights since you will need more lightening power to lift your hair to a lighter ash shade.

In conclusion, it's important to select your hair color according to the natural base color it will be applied to. You can learn more about this in our hair color glossary and guide!

We’ve talked about coloring your hair ash brown vs. ash blonde, but what about maintenance?

For both colors, you’ll need to use color-protecting shampoo and conditioner and a mask, toner, or gloss to banish brassy tones that will start to show through as the color fades.

There are a few options when it comes to masks, toners, and glosses. All will neutralize brassiness, you just want to choose the one that best suits your hair type and color.

If you are a blonde that needs to tone brassiness while conditioning your hair at the same time, try a color-depositing mask. Color Therapy Hair Mask in Perla has violet tones that help to neutralize any yellow in your blonde, while providing deep conditioning at the same time.

For brunette hair, you might need to combat orange or reddish tones that show up as your color starts to fade. A gloss is a great way to refresh your brunette color while neutralizing the warmth. Color Reviving Gloss in Espresso has cool ash tones to banish the warmth and add richness back to your color.

What if something goes wrong and you want to know how to fix ashy hair? It can be possible to overuse ash toning products which can lead to a drab-looking color or hair that looks too ashy. That said, you might not need to use toning products every time you wash your hair (such as a purple blonde shampoo). Use as needed and rotate with your usual color-protecting shampoo, conditioner, or masks.

Ash Blonde vs. Ash Brown for Gray Hair

What about gray coverage? How does ash blonde perform vs. ash brown when it comes to gray hair? They’re both great options!

Ash shades are a nice way to blend gray if you are going for a more natural look. However, keep in mind that ash shades might not fully cover gray as well as neutral or warm shades. The benefit of using an ash shade on gray hair is that, since it is closer to your natural color, the regrowth may be less noticeable when it starts to come in. So, it really depends on whether you prefer natural-looking, blended coverage with less noticeable regrowth or full, saturated gray coverage, for which you might need a warmer shade.

The Takeaway

Ash blonde vs. ash brown haircolor – whether you're looking to neutralize warmth, create a sleek, cool-toned look, or simply try something new, ash tones can help you achieve the exact shade you’re looking for. With the right hair color and care, ash tones can boost your style and keep you feeling fabulous all year long!
You may also read: Is My Hair Color Warm, Cool or Neutral?