Dirty blonde is actually a term that stylists have been using since the 1950s, says hairstylist Jill Buck.

Sometimes its referred to as dishwater blonde, though that’s not the nicest-sounding description.

Buck says she keeps her dirty blondes at a level 7 and 8.

Beyonce with dirty blonde hair; darker roots and lighter face-framing strands

@beyonce/ Instagram

“Depending on your skin tone that will determine the tones used,” she says.

Maintenance Level:Low to medium.

Buck says dirty blonde is much easier to maintain than a platinum blonde.

Leona Lewis with dirty blonde curls

@prestonwada/ Instagram

Adding emphasis to the look is a center part with loose waves that mimic layers.

Keep the lighter tone concentrated near the face, so it looks sun-kissed and natural.

We love the loose layers that frame her face, which help highlight the gradient color.

Yvonne Orji with center parted dirty blonde waves

@ernestocasillas/ Instagram

Beyonce Blonde

@beyonce

Very few people do a rooted dirty blonde the way Beyonce does.

Classic Dirty Blonde

@vernonfrancois/ Instagram

This honey-hued dirty blonde is about as classic as it gets.

Here, Serena Williams contrasts the blonde with dark roots to match her thick brows.

Camilla Luddington with dark-toned wavy dirty blonde hair and blue jacket

@justinemarjan/ Instagram

A center part and waves add volumes.

Golden Babylights

@wellahair

The overall outcome is determined by the foil placement, Buck says.

This technique will create the impression of overall lighter hair even if you have a dark base like SJP.

Tinashe with a pink and gold dress and dirty blonde waves

@prestonwada/ Instagram

It’s a stunning, complementary option, especially on darker skin tones.

No matter your skin’s undertoneswarm, cool, or neutralthis color is sure to flatter.

The result is something like these gorgeous sunkissed curls.

Beyonce with dirty blonde hair

@beyonce

Neutral Bronde

Haven’t you heard?Everybody is going bronde.

The brown-blonde-crossbreed looks amazing on medium-to-dark skin tones, especially when paired witha shag haircutlike Halle Berry’s.

Buck says a natural blonde base is the perfect starting color for dirty blonde hair.

Serena Williams with long wavy dirty blonde hair

@vernonfrancois/ Instagram

Midlights

@colorbymattrez/ Instagram

Beverly Hills coloristMatt Rezis an expert in darker blondes.

Grown-Out Honey Blonde

This easy-to-maintain color looks absolutely killer on Rita Ora’swavy hair textureandolive complexion.

Warmer-Toned Sombre

Ciara’s dirty blonde sombre is such a head turnerand would definitely require apurple shampoo.

Dirty Blonde Hair Ideas Honey

@geooilhaircare

To nail her California beach vibes, ano-makeup makeuplook is the way to go.

Getting a darker base to dirty blonde is a similar process to naturally blonde hair, Buck says.

However, the brunette will be lifted more levels than the blonde.

Dirty Blonde Hair Ideas Cool Toned Gigi Hadid

@gigihadid/ Instagram

Talk about having a talented colorist.

Strategic highlights confirm your color has a more natural feel.

Warm Dirty Blonde

@malaikafrazier/ Instagram

Warm blonde color accentuates natural texture and bouncy curls so beautifully.

Dirty Blonde Hair Colors Grown Out Bronde

@wellahair

With a darker root, it’s much more maintainable in terms of upkeep.

Honey Hue

Lucy Liu’s hair here is a great mix of honey and caramel tones.

We love how subtle highlights brighten her otherwise ash brown mane.

Dirty Blonde Hair Ideas Framing Sarah Jessica Parker

@sarahjessicaparker

Style with apadded headbandto add an air of elegance to free-flowing curls.

Rooted Dirty Blonde

Don’t discount this majorly trendy short crop.

The lighter blonde, highlighted style here is so pretty and dimensional.

Dirty Blonde Hair Ideas Laverne Cox

Getty Images

Consider styling with Verb Volume Texture Powder to create body and lift.

Hair guru Chris Appleton styled her long, undulating waves which underscore movement.

Meanwhile,warm blonde colorcreates depth and complements her medium skin tone.

Chrissy Teigen in a sequin dress and full glam with her dirty blonde air in effortless waves

@chrissyteigen/ Instagram

It comes down to personal preference.

A slightly darker brow can look bold and dramatic.

But if that’s not the look you’re going for you canlighten your brows.

Dirty Blonde Hair Ideas Curly

@wellahair

The recommendation is to not go more than two shades lighter than your natural color.

It depends on how dark your brown hair is and how light you want to go.

Usually, lightening any more than five shades will require bleach.

Dirty Blonde Hair Ideas Warm Bronde Halle Berry

Getty Images

Consult your colorist to get their recommendation.

There is a dirty blonde shade for every skin tone.

If you’ve got neutral undertones, you’ll find nearly every shade of dirty blonde complementary.

Dirty Blonde Hair Ideas Lived-In Jessica Alba

Getty Images

Ash blonde is cool-toned while dirty blonde can contain a mix of warm or cool tones.

Dirty Blonde Hair Ideas Neutral Base Cara Delevingne

@caradelevingne

Nasim Pedrad with darker roots and a warm dirt blonde hair color on the lengths

@colorbymattrez/ Instagram

Golloria with protective braids in a dirty blonde color

@golloria/ Instagram

Dirty Blonde Hair Ideas Shiny Rita Ora

Getty Images

Savannah James dirty ash blonde bob

@mrs_savannahrj/ Instagram

Dirty Blonde Hair Ideas Natural Bright Taylor Swift

Getty Images

Dirty Blonde Hair Ideas Ciara

Getty Images

Jasmine Sanders with a dirty blonde curly bun

@goldenbarbie/ Instagram

Bronde Hair Priyanka Chopra Jonas

@priyankachopra

Dirty Blonde Hair Ideas Balanced

@wellaeducation

Dirty Blonde Hair Ideas Dimensional Jennifer Aniston

Getty Images

Warm dirty blonde color on curly hair

@malaikafrazier/ Instagram

Dirty Blonde Hair Ideas Lucy Liu

Getty Images

Dirty Blonde Hair Ideas Buttery

@karliekloss

Soo Joo Park with dirty blonde space buns

@owengould/ Instagram

Leona Lewis with dirty blonde curls

@leonalewis/ Instagram

Dirty Blonde Hair Ideas Rooted

@geooilhaircare

Dirty blonde hair with halo highlights

@anderrateliehair/ Instagram

Dirty Blonde Hair Ideas Julianne Hough

@juleshough

Dirty bronde hair

@chrisweberhair/ Instagram

J Lo with bouncy hair

@chrisappleton1