What is Vanilla Blonde Hair? A Sweet Guide to the Creamy Colour

Vanilla blonde hair is the creamy shade that’s surging in popularity. But what exactly is vanilla blonde, and why is it so loved? In this blog Laura Elliott, head of education here at Neäl & Wølf answers all your questions about this shade, including how to achieve and maintain the sweetest new look.

1. What is vanilla blonde hair?

Vanilla blonde hair is inspired by the sweet spice often found in ice cream. The shade is usually used to describe anything plain, but the vanilla hair colour is far from this! The unique shade of blonde sits between platinum and golden blonde, to give a look that isn’t too stark or golden.

2. Is vanilla blonde yellow?

No, vanilla blonde isn’t quite yellow. The shade is soft and neutral, rather than yellow or brassy. With the right maintenance and toning, vanilla blonde hair can keep its cool tone without veering into a yellowish shade. Read on for our tips and advice on how to do this.

3. How is vanilla blonde different from platinum blonde?

Platinum blonde is a much cooler shade than vanilla blonde. Platinum blonde is an icy colour that is almost white, whereas vanilla blonde is warmer, softer and more natural looking. Find out more about platinum blonde: How to Maintain Platinum Blonde

4. Is vanilla blonde a cold or warm shade?

Vanilla blonde is a neutral shade, so it is a blend of both warm and cool tones. This versatility makes the colour flattering to anyone looking to try it out. It can however be customised to lean slightly towards the warm and cool sides of the spectrum. 

5. What skin tone suits vanilla blonde hair?

The versatility of vanilla blonde means it can suit a variety of skin tones, working with both warm and cool undertones. That said, it generally works best to compliment fair to medium skin tones. Read our blog to learn more about colour and skin tones: What Hair Colour Suits Me? A Guide to Choosing the Right Shade

6. How do you get vanilla blonde hair?

For best results, the perfect vanilla blonde shade requires a trip to your colourist. Visit your local Neäl & Wølf salon Our fast-acting True Demi Toner leaves your hair with a glossy super shine, creating a multidimensional finish. Browse our solution: GLAZE True Demi Toner

7. How do you maintain vanilla blonde hair?

Like most blonde shades, vanilla blonde requires some maintenance to keep it looking fresh and vibrant. Below, we’ve listed our top advice for looking after this shade.

Hair washing

Purple shampoo is the key to keeping brassy tones at bay, so that creamy, neutral hues stay intact. Apply a solution like our BLONDE Purple Brightening Shampoo and massage root to tip, before rinsing. Then, finish off with BLONDE Purple Brightening Conditioner - we’d advise leaving this on wet hair for one to two minutes before rinsing for best results.

Hair drying and finishing

Applying heat directly to your locks can be damaging, no matter your hair colour. For this reason, we’d recommend applying a heat protection spray to damp hair before drying. Our MIRACLE Rapid Blow-Dry Mist speeds up drying time by up to 50% and, like purple shampoo, it uses violet pigments to refresh and brighten blonde hair. Simply spray section by section on to hair before blow-drying with our HERØ Ionic Hairdryer. To finish, apply a small amount of VELVET Nourishing Hair Oil for sleek locks.

Whether you’re new to blonde or looking for a softer style, vanilla blonde is a beautiful, versatile option. Plan your sweet transformation today: Find your Neäl & Wølf salon