Blonde hair with dark roots is a hair coloring technique that allows natural brunette roots to blend seamlessly with blonde hair. Also known as the shadow root method, this trend solved the dreaded grow-out phase, known to ruin our freshly dyed light strands, and the high maintenance that comes with it.
Ashley Benson, Diane Kruger, and Kristen Stewart ditched the full-blown blonde look and stuck to this budget-friendly yet totally awesome hair dyeing trend! It’s time to put an end to the endless touch-ups and save your time and money without compromising your mane!
The benefits of rooted blondes don’t stop with the low upkeep. Keeping your dark roots add an ultra cool contrast and natural-looking depth and dimension to the hair, allowing you to easily style it!
Get on board this modern trend and embrace your roots when you try one of these looks on blonde hair with dark roots!
Champagne Blonde with Very Dark Roots
Instagram @femmechicbeauty
Try out a new color while growing out your old hair!
Sun-Kissed with Blended Roots
Instagram @jleighwebdoeshair
The only time sun burn is acceptable is when it is colored magnificently on your hair! Colorist Jessica did so good we can’t even tell if this was done in a salon or under the sun.
Rooty Caramel Blonde (Bronde)
Instagram @schmid.hairstyle
That fine line between blonde and brunette seems so beautiful. Toffee sweetness that is not bitter, just lusciously good!
Icy Blonde with Stretched Roots
Instagram @hairartistry_bykrystle
Stylist Krystle made this balayage so spectacular that the platinum and the brown roots transitioned so smoothly.
Silver Blonde with Grown Out Roots
Instagram @fanny89nilsson
Darker roots by natural causes (hair grow out) look so seamless. The silver diffused so well that it’s hard to see where the coloring started.
Blonde Balayage with Melted Roots
Instagram @good.hairdays
Unlike normal coloring, balayage makes it look like the colors used melted with each other. Here we have milk and white chocolate just mixed into one another creating this stunning piece.
Ash Blonde with Brown Roots
Instagram @pinupbeautysalonllc
If you’re still a “beginner blonde”, start coloring hair a few inches from the roots so that your hair grows healthier and you’ll have that brunette-blonde ombre in no time.
Beige Blonde with Smudge Roots
Q&A with style creator, Silke Wagner
Hairstylist / Colorist @ Friseur Wagner in Bad Säckingen, Germany
How would you describe this look?
The greatest part of it is the root shadow. The color melt between the roots and the lengths is just so soft! You can see it perfectly because it’s a really long and straight hairstyle. Also, it has one length, so we have a perfect reflection.
Any advice for someone considering it?
It’s best if you have healthy hair if you like to have a Look like this! You need to do a lot of hair rituals. My favorite product for that kind of style is Blond Absolu from Kérastase. If you keep your hair healthy, it can be a really natural look for straight and curly hair.
Dirty Blonde with Natural Dark Roots
Q&A with style creator, Leanna Matthews
Hairstylist @ Elixir Hair Studio in St Albert, AB
How would you describe this look?
This is a balayage blend on top with more of an ombré bottom. I love how seamless the blend is, as it will enable her to grow this out for months with little to no maintenance. The way the gloss complements her natural root is also a favorite of mine. I’m loving warmer tones lately and I feel this one is right on point.
Any advice for someone considering it?
Definitely being sure you want to commit to some brighter pieces! This is a more dramatic look for someone who is starting with all natural hair. Also, for someone with a finer hair type, I would suggest easing up on the concentration of blonde on the ends (keeping more natural pieces through to the ends will help keep a fuller appearance).
Strawberry Blonde with Natural Roots
Q&A with style creator, Madi Almquist
Stylist @ Jon Charles Salon in Wayzata, MN
How would you describe this look?
This cut adds the perfect movement to show off all the gorgeous tones. The layers are soft and subtle so that they don’t take away from the overall length and thickness.
The thing that I love most about this is that my amazing client gets her ends cleaned up every time she gets her color done. This way I can ensure that her hair is staying healthy between services and fresh when she leaves the salon.
Any advice for someone considering it?
This haircut is perfect for anyone looking to keep the length and add thickness. There is such soft movement that can easily be curled to stand out or flat ironed to blend in. This style is ideal for someone looking for easy day-to-day maintenance but a sexy look on occasion.
Platinum Blonde with Natural Roots
Q&A with style creator, Katelyn Hall
Blonde Specialist @ August Pearl Salon in Nashville, TN
How would you describe this look?
I have a lot of girls coming in for this look or at least this tone. I would describe it as a more natural white. Natural white meaning you have the bright white tones but there’s still a little warmth there. The dimension in this color makes the highlighted pieces look even brighter. Can’t have light without dark right?
My favorite part about creating a look like this is the money piece! It’s the framing around the face. It’s the brightest piece in her hair. That’s where your attention is drawn. We did some tapering/face framing around the face to accentuate the money piece and to give her hair body.
The shadow root is another favorite of mine! It makes the highlight seamless and melty. Also, it allows the client more flexibility with scheduling their salon visits. This makes life easier because you can have your cake and eat it too. Bright, white, strong hair without the maintenance. As far as styling goes we chose to give her a nice sleek blowout.
Again, I love when my clients choose to go the sleek route. It’s different. It’s not just beach waves, but don’t get me wrong I do love some good beach waves. On a color like this, you have to smooth it out to see that beautiful blend! Just imagine of all the dimension she’ll have when she decides to curl it and give it a little body – it will be absolutely gorgeous!
Any advice for someone considering it?
Even though this look is pretty low maintenance, your journey to becoming this blonde needs a little T.L.C. Steps to becoming this blonde include all the pretreatments Malibu C, Olaplex, Deep Conditioning treatments, and anything that’s going to make your hair the strongest version of itself, so that it’s ready to be lightened!
Personally, I think anyone can be blonde. It’s really just the fact whether you are going to keep up with it or not. Continue to do your masks and Olaplex once a week at home and an occasional gloss at the salon once a month to maintain that beautiful blonde. My best most important tip, for clients and stylist, is Malibu C.
No matter where you live you need Malibu C. It removes all hard water minerals on the hair. If you live in Cali, your hair needs Malibu. If you live in Nashville, with our crazy hard water, your hair needs Malibu! I personally have a lot of blonde clients and they all get a Malibu Treatment prior to their service!
If you’re debating on going blonde, do it! Ask your stylist, and get some opinions on what they think will look best! Do you want to be in the salon once a month or a couple of times a year? Everyone can be blonde! It’s just finding the perfect blonde that fits with your maintenance plan!
Rooted White Blonde
Q&A with style creator, Britt Mann
Hairstylist @ Salon Analyse in Pointe-à-la-Croix, QC
How would you describe this look?
This look is a very dark-rooted blonde melt. This client has a natural level 5 and always wanted to be more and more blonde. She wanted to go darker. I suggested a dark rooted blonde to allow her natural color to come through without totally compromising her blonde. We used a 4A on her regrowth and combed it into her blonde to give that melted look instead of a harsh painted line. In the front, I added a few foils just along the hairline to bring up the beautiful platinum and create that “money piece”. After processing, I then toned her hair with matrix color sync 10p 10v and a dash of purple from the vinyl collection. We added 18″ tape in extensions to add some length to her ends and voila.
That’s what I love about a rooted blonde it gives just the right amount of change without having to go completely dark. My client has shoulder length hair, very thick (which is great when lighting because her hair can handle the process), and we always do the beachy flat iron waves leaving the ends out to give that “just woke up like this” look. Her cut is a long layered cut with some light face framing. She has a round face so keeping her front longer than her chin gives the illusion of a thinner more oval face. She’s super active, playing hockey, is a mom of two young boys, and works full time and only has to touch up her highlights every 6-8 weeks. It’s great for women or men who have a natural dark base and don’t want the maintenance of getting their hair highlighted or colored every 4 weeks from regrowth.
Any advice for someone considering it?
It takes time and money. Products are key.
My client had come in 3 times before she got to this beautiful platinum. She understands that purple shampoo, heat protectant, professional products, and regular cuts make all the difference.
I always recommend blonde or not, heat protectant. They are the oven mitts for your hair. Also, turn down the heat take smaller sections and go slower with your flat irons.
Dry shampoo is your best friend! The more you wash, the drier your hair will be. Use oil in your ends. A little goes a long way. Just a little drop to spread through your ends will really help give some moisture back to those blonde locks.
Also, blonde isn’t for everyone and that’s ok, but you can always find a rooted color that will work for you and your skin tone. Ask your stylist which tones would best suit your skin
Dark Roots to Light Blonde Ombre
Q&A with style creator, Breazy Ferrante
Balayage and Vivid Specialist @ Suite Canary in Hollywood, CA
How would you describe this look?
This is a classic ombré, so it’s about really being able to see that transition from dark to light. My favorite thing about this technique is that it works with all hair colors from natural to fashion colors. My clients also love that as this look grows out it stays blended therefore they don’t have to be in the salon every 4 weeks getting their roots touched up.
For the haircut, I left her length very long and gave her long layers. The layers help add style and take out bulk from the thick hair. I always recommend layers for my clients with long hair especially when it’s very thick like in the photo.
Any advice for someone considering it?
Whether you live in the salon or are very low maintenance, this rooty look will work for you. I always recommend this look when my client is looking for a change but not something too drastic. Ombré adds the perfect amount of dimension and you can make it as subtle or as dramatic as you like.
Incorporate this look into your morning routine. It’s easy and only takes about 5-10 minutes of work and you look fabulous all day after.
To style this look, I took a large curling iron and curled sections in opposite directions. To help my curls stay I love to use the Aveda Texture Tonic – it’s a sea salt spray with cane sugar and it adds perfect texture to the hair for the perfect lived-in waves. Let the curls sit for a few minutes then brush through with a large comb.
Honey Blonde with Dark Brown Roots
Q&A with style creator, Xanthi Diamond
Stylist and Color Specialist @ Meraki Hair Studio in Clarksville, TN
How would you describe this look?
This is a warm blonde balayage with a deep contrasting base color. This client wanted to see that depth at the root to make her blonde more dramatic. I love the stark contrast of the light ends and dark root because the blend is still so natural and this will grow out beautifully. The long layers give a graceful flow to the color scheme as well.
Any advice for someone considering it?
This look is a great way for brunettes to go blonde. The root color and tone still complements the natural coloring of the client – skin tone, eyebrows, and eye color. This look is also lived-in, so maintenance is only required as often as you would like to bring the blonde up.
If you like a low maintenance color and wear your hair down mostly, this look would be ideal. You could wear this cut and color on most hair textures and mid to long in length. Make sure to use a thermal protectant product when heat styling those blonde ends. Also, a purple shampoo or conditioner will help keep the blonde from going too warm between salon visits.
Warm Blonde with Small Roots
Q&A with style creator, Nicole
Master Stylist @ Bombshell Salon in Elk River, MN
How would you describe this look?
This look was inspired by a sip of ice cold cream soda. It gives us all the lived-in beach vibes without being too gold or too ash – just a boho beige feel all the way around. The cut is simple yet effortless, making the hair flip extra bouncy! Long, rounded edges with perfectly long blended layers. It looks great straight yet pops with a subtle wave added.
My favorite part of this look is the babylight blend. It gives us a ton of brightness yet blends so effortlessly for a seamless grow out with her shadow root!
Any advice for someone considering it?
This look is perfect for my mid-maintenance gals. The ones who want to feel extra bright yet want a lived-in feel. Maintenance required is mid-level, requiring a root smudge or a baby light touch up every 8-10 weeks.
Great for my clients who like to dress it up or dress it down. This style looks great with beach waves, straight, air dried, and even in a messy bun. It’s very flattering with most face shapes, especially round faces. Daily routine with this style looks a little something like this:
Use Kenra Blowdry Spray and It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-in to prep the hair after it’s been washed and towel dried. Detangle the hair using a wet brush and style as desired. My favorite is to blow dry and add a beach wave with a curling wand or iron, grabbing small sections.
So if you have a daily low maintenance routine but don’t mind a little upkeep with your color, this is a fabulous option!
Light Blonde with Darker Roots
Instagram @jenv_hair
It’s like the blonde grew out of your hair naturally! Balayage blonde on dark hair is a beautiful combination, excellent for trying out a new color without the drastic change.
Dark Blonde with Black Roots
Instagram @hair_by_mariam
Don’t let the brunette stop you from being a golden girl! A dynamic combo that is a sure hit.
Golden Blonde with Shadow Roots
Instagram @coralie_fournier_
Stylist Coralie made conspicuous changes to the dark roots by juxtaposing it with a yellower blonde.
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