Old-Money Blond Hair Inspiration and Ideas

In our humble opinion, there’s nothing better than a low-maintenance hair color trend. Why, you ask? Well, less time in the salon means more time for play, and it’s also one of the easiest ways to save money. And we could all probably use a hair trend that gives us a lot of bang for our buck.

There aren’t a ton of blond hair-color options that aren’t high maintenance, which is probably why “old-money blond” is going viral on TikTok right now. It’s beautiful, it’s easy to achieve, and it doesn’t require you sit in a salon chair for six hours every six weeks.

So, what actually is old-money blond? As hairstylist Jonathan Colombini says, “It’s that perfect blond that leaves you wondering, ‘Is that color natural or is that fresh out of the salon color?'” It’s so popular we’ve seen it on plenty of famous heads — celebrities like Taylor Swift, Sofia Richie, and Margot Robbie — just to name a few.

If you’re curious about the trend, looking to make a change, or just want to drool over some expertly crafted color, we’ve got you covered. Ahead, we chat with experts who break down everything to know about the old money blond hair trend, like who it works best on, how to get the look, and how to maintain the buttery shade at home. Keep scrolling to learn more.

Experts Featured in This Article

Rossano Ferretti Parma is a celebrity hairstylist, luxury hair expert, and founder of Rossano Ferretti Hair.

Lauren Mildice is a colorist at Maxine Salon in Chicago.

Shvonne Perkins is a Madison Reed master colorist and education director.

Jonathan Colombini is a hairstylist and owner at John Henry Salon, as well as a Schwarzkopf global color expert.

What Is Old Money Blond Hair?

The look is all about being understated. “Old-money tones are creamy, buttery, and sun-kissed, with soft highlights that blend seamlessly, evoking a sense of timeless refinement,” celebrity hairstylist Rossano Ferretti tells PS. “It’s about creating a look that feels effortlessly luxurious.”

Lauren Mildice, colorist at Maxine Salon, says that it typically starts with a dark blond color at the roots that cascades down into a lighter blond color. “This color doesn’t present too cool or too gold. It’s a neutral blond shade leaning towards warmth.”

The good news is that this hair color works well on all hair types and textures, and it can be customized to suit a variety of skin tones. “The richness of old-money blond complements skin tones that feature golden, peachy, or freckled, sunny complexions,” says Shvonne Perkins, master colorist at Madison Reed. “The color is great for all hair types and textures because it is reminiscent of the way hair naturally lightens and gets sun-kissed over time.”

Ferretti agrees, adding, “If your skin has a golden or peachy glow, this color will enhance your radiance. For cooler undertones, slight adjustments incorporating ash or champagne hues can make the look equally stunning.”

How to Get Old Money Blond Hair

If you’re interested in trying out the trend for yourself, it’s best to arrive at your salon appointment with inspiration photos in hand. “Bring visual inspiration, and don’t shy away from mentioning ‘old-money blond’ by name; many professionals are familiar with this color,” Ferretti says. “Request a color that mimics the way the sun naturally brightens the hair, with face-framing highlights and a soft gradient that fades beautifully.”

Mildice says that if you already have a light brunette or very dark blond naturally, you can ask for a soft blend from your natural color. “Tell them you would like a soft fade into a blond with a neutral gloss leaning warm. This is not a balayage or ribbon a soft blend or blond.”

How to Maintain Old Money Blond Hair

What’s great about this hair trend is that it’s low maintenance, so you don’t have to spend too much time in the salon chair. You’ll need root touch-ups every six to eight weeks, according to Ferretti, but you can probably stick with a full color once every six months or so.

If you want to maintain the color at home, you’ve got plenty of options. Perkins suggests the Madison Reed ColorWonder Demi-Permanent Hair Color in It’s Giving Golden ($30), which she says has great balanced tones of cool and gold to give the perfect amount of warmth. To keep brassiness away, incorporate a mask for blond hair into your routine, like the Kérastase Blond Absolu Anti-Brass Purple Hair Mask ($68).

In addition to using color-safe products, make sure you’re using a heat protectant whenever you’re heat styling — we like the Oribe Dry Heat Protectant Spray ($46) — and also pay attention to what you’re using to cleanse your hair. “Avoid hard water,” Ferretti says. “If you live in an area with hard water, consider investing in a shower filter to prevent mineral buildup, which can dull your blond tones.”

Ready to book your next hair appointment? Keep scrolling for some old money blond inspiration you can bring with you to the salon.