Quick guide – HairstyleCamp
Blonde is a flattering hair color that can be worn all year round. And when researching popular blonde shades, you’ll come across champagne and ash blondes. Champagne Blonde is a neutral to warm blonde, ideal for people with neutral or warm undertones. Ash blonde is a cool blonde that suits cool skin tones.
Champagne blonde vs ash blonde, which hair shade should you choose?
Champagne Blonde Vs. Ash blonde: a quick comparison
feature | ash blonde | Champagne blonde |
---|---|---|
shadow | A soft, warm, light golden-blonde shade. Different shades: light ash, beachy ash, dirty ash, strawberry ash, platinum ash | A cool and light grayish-blonde shade. Different shades: soft gold, champagne blush, pearl champagne, ronde champagne |
blond type | Cool | neutral (warm) |
Undertones | Pinkish, peach or beige undertones. | Green or blue shades. |
light reflection | This color tends to reflect light, giving the hair a radiant and glowing effect. | The cooler tones may not reflect as much light, leading to a more muted look. |
skin tone | Cool | Warm and neutral |
process | takes several sessions | takes several sessions |
maintenance | Requires regular touch-ups and toning to maintain its color. Purple shampoo | May require less maintenance due to its cool tones. |
recommended | Purple shampoo | Blue shampoo |
Gray cover | Works best with all ash brown tones | Works well with pearl champagne |
best for | Those who want a bright and radiant hair color. | Those who prefer a more natural and subtle hair color. |
What is champagne blonde?

Champagne blonde is the new rage in the name of the sparkling drink. It’s a soft, neutral shade that blends perfectly with warm and cool blonde. This blonde has golden undertones and a pinkish undertone, making it a warm neutral shade. Due to these warm undertones, it works well for people with warm and neutral skin tones.
Champagne blonde is the color to go for when you’re looking for an elegant and sophisticated look, but with warmth and friendliness. Since champagne blonde tends to be more neutral, it works well as a year-round style. You can dye your hair champagne blonde or add it as highlights, ombre or balayage.
What is ash blonde?

Ash blonde is a cool blonde that adds depth to your hair. It is a cool color with gray (silver), blue and purple undertones that works well with neutral and cool skin tones. It can have several variations, from natural, dirty, light and sandy, to medium ash blonde.
At first glance, an ash blonde may look like a platinum blonde. However, it has darker roots and a grayer undertone.
What does champagne blonde and ash blonde hair look like?

With its golden hues and shine, champagne blonde hair looks like sparkling champagne. On the other hand, ash blonde tends more towards ice, gray and silver.
A champagne blonde hair shade can range from a pale, almost platinum blonde to a darker, more golden blonde, depending on the person’s natural hair color and the desired result.
Ash blonde hair is often described as having a “dirty” or “mousy” look. It tends to be a more muted and subtle shade of blonde that doesn’t have the bright, golden tones often associated with traditional blonde hair.
The main differences between ash blonde and champagne blonde
So what are the main differences between champagne blonde and ash blonde? These two popular blonde hair color shades differ in shade, type and maintenance requirements.
shadow
You can wear both champagne and ash blonde in different shades depending on your skin tone and preferences.
Shades of champagne blonde include soft champagne blonde, the most subtle shade of this color. You can add a touch of pink to champagne blonde to get a champagne blush blonde. Pearl champagne blonde is the most “out there” and lightest shade for this blonde type.
Champagne blonde in a champagne bronde shade is the perfect choice for brunettes who don’t want to go completely blonde yet.
Ash blonde hair can go from light, silver shades to dark smoky blondes. Some of the typical ash blonde shades include:
- Light ash blonde
- Ash white blonde
- Platinum Ash Blonde
- Beachy Upper Blonde
- Pearl Upper Blonde
- dirty ash blonde
- Strawberry ash blonde
Kind of blonde
Champagne blonde is a neutral blonde that leans more towards a warm blonde. On the other hand, ash blonde is a cool blonde with gray undertones.
skin tone
Champagne blonde is an excellent shade for all skin tones. A champagne blonde with more golden undertones works well with warm skin tones. But with pink undertones, it can blend well with cooler skin tones.
Ash blonde does not work well for people with olive skin tones or with orange undertones. On the other hand, ash blonde works well with people with lighter, cooler skin tones.
process

Going champagne blonde is an intense process, especially if you have darker hair. The process begins by lightening the hair as close as possible to champagne blonde. After lightening, the fixer continues to deposit color into your hair.
You can choose the champagne shade you want and if you want more rose or gold shades to match your skin tone.
Getting to light blonde depends on your current hair color. You will need to bleach your hair to level 9/10 or platinum if it is not light blonde. The bleaching process may take several sessions depending on your hair color, previous color jobs and the health of your hair.
Once it reaches a light blonde, your colorist will apply ash blonde color and tone the hair. The final step involves using a purple shampoo to remove any brass or yellow in the hair.
Whether you’re going champagne blonde or ash blonde, the process will take several sessions unless you already have blonde hair. The process will be longer if you are naturally black or brunette.
maintenance
Your hair care routine will change whether you go champagne or ash blonde. Since it requires hair bleaching, shampoos that neutralize unwanted shades should be used. However, ash blonde has less maintenance requirements as it is already faded and muted. Most ash blonde hairstyles also have darker roots, meaning fewer hair appointments to update the color.
For champagne blonde, you need a blue shampoo to prevent the hair from developing greenish tones. Ash Blonde is a cool blonde that requires a purple shampoo to keep brassiness under control. Bleaching hair to get ash blonde damages the hair and can leave it dry. Therefore, you should combine a hair conditioning treatment to keep your hair strong.
You will also need to use a heat protectant during heat styling when you have champagne blonde or ash blonde. Both champagne and ash blonde require color safe products to maintain their color. It is advisable to wear a hair mask every week to nourish your hair.
Gray cover

Blonde is a great choice for people with gray hair. But between champagne blonde and ash blonde, which one is better for gray coverage? The best option will depend on whether you want to camouflage or blend in those gray hairs.
A pearly champagne blonde works well to cover gray.
Thanks to its gray undertones, silver ash brown works well to hide gray hairs. You can use them for full gray coverage or combine gray strands.
If you’re going blonde mainly to cover or blend your graying strands, ash gray might be the better choice, as it already has gray undertones. This makes it easier for the gray undertones to blend in with your hair. Most ash blondes have thicker roots, which makes for even better blending and gray coverage.
The choice between champagne blonde versus ash blonde comes down to preference. But if you have a warm or neutral skin tone, champagne blonde is the way to go.
However, ash blonde can be your best choice if you have fair and cool skin. Ash blonde works better with gray coverage if you want to mask your graying strands.