5 Key Tips & Toning Formulas to Make Blondes Look “Expensive”

Old Money Blondes: How to Create Soft, Refined & Reflective Hues 

The “old money blonde” aesthetic is making a sophisticated comeback, embracing natural, sun-kissed hues like honey and champagne for a timeless look with its classic, sunlit glow. What it is: Well-blended highlights and lowlights, maintaining the natural root with refined, luminous tones and brightness through the ends. What it isn’t: Ribbons of stark contrast, appearing overly ashy, overprocessed or artificial. 

We tapped London-based blonding specialist Suzi Angelina (@hair.by.suzi), known for her signature premium blondes, for her expert insight. Here’s how teasylights, root taps and Blue Ash in your toning formulas come together to build expensive-looking blondes.

Need inspo for your next consultation? Scroll through this range of luxe blondes: 

Photo Credit: Instagram via @hair.by.suzi

Photo Credit: Instagram via @hair.by.suzi

Photo Credit: Instagram via @hair.by.suzi

Photo Credit: Instagram via @hair.by.suzi

Photo Credit: Instagram via @hair.by.suzi

Photo Credit: Instagram via @hair.by.suzi

Photo Credit: Instagram via @hair.by.suzi

Photo Credit: Instagram via @hair.by.suzi

1. Why The Client’s Natural Root Should be Present 

The more blonde you add into your client’s hair, the more contrast there’s going to be between the client’s natural root and the blonde that lives in it. Especially when your client has darker natural roots. So, you need to make sure there’s still some of the client’s natural present through the midlengths to connect the roots into the ends. 

2. Why Suzi Uses Teasylights 

Short answer: Teasylights will pack in brightness without touching the natural root. “This keeps the color lower-maintenance than highlights, but the highly-stretched blonde application [a blend that’s close to the root] offers a brighter result than a balayage,” says Suzi. Here’s a breakdown using her go-to lightener, Moroccanoil® Blonde Voyage Powder Lightener: 

• The lower-maintenance look will prevent overprocessing the hair with multiple appointments. Less bleach overlapping allows for a healthier hair condition.

• Face-framing highlights add an extra pop of brightness around the hairline, while maintaining the natural root through the back.

• Achieve the softness of balayage, but avoid the contrast between dark roots and blonde ends when their hair is worn up.

• Teasylights are a great way to break up naturally darker roots. This technique is great on both lighter bases and super dark, almost-black bases too.

3. Why Root Melts and/or Root Taps? 

Root taps are the key to every single one of Suzi’s blonde transformations. “I am a massive fan of a root melt,” says Suzi. “I always like to match a root melt to the client’s natural color. Creating a transition point between the darker roots and blonde ends is SO important when achieving maximum blonde in one sitting to avoid any harsh lines.”

For example: “If my client is natural Level 7, I will use a 7N in Moroccanoil® Color Calypso Demi-Permanent Cream Color with 5-volume oxidant [developer] for deposit only that helps to create a seamless, beautiful blend from roots to ends,” Suzi adds. 

See every swatch: Suzi’s go-to root tap & gloss shades for expensive blondes!

4. How to Formulate Your Toner for a Reflective Hue

Remember, warmer tones reflect the light more, they make the hair appear brighter and more shiny—exactly what you want with an expensive blonde. Working with the client’s natural undertone and not against it, Suzi’s go-to toning formulas are:

• Moroccanoil® Color Calypso Demi-Permanent Cream Color 10.12 (10BV)
• Moroccanoil® Color Calypso Demi-Permanent Cream Color 10.13 (10BG)

Try shades that have the “0.1” present because the Blue Ash helps neutralize the natural undertones, but isn’t too ashy and not too warm. “Color Calypso is beautiful because it gives that hydration to the client’s hair, keeping the hair nice and shiny,” Suzi said. Your blonde hair is only as good as its health condition, and dry hair doesn’t look expensive. 

5. Expensive Blonde Color Formulas to Try Right Now

Get ready to screenshot and save these most-requested blonde formulas from Suzi. Whether you’re opting for a highly-blended “Angel Blonde,” with baby-fine weaves and a halo effect, to more traditional warm blondes, take your pick. 

Tap the beakers on the images below to reveal Suzi’s color formulas.

Old Money Blonde

• Formula A (lightener):

  Moroccanoil® Blonde Voyage Powder Lightener + 20-volume Moroccanoil® developer

• Formula B (root melt):

  Moroccanoil® Color Rhapsody Permanent Color 5N + 5-volume Moroccanoil® developer

• Formula C (mids and ends toner):

  Moroccanoil® Color Calypso Demi-Permanent Color 10.12 + 9.13 + 5-volume Moroccanoil® developer

Photo Credit: Instagram via @hair.by.suzi

Soft Angel Blonde

• Starting Level/Natural Base

  Level 7 virgin hair 

• Formula A (lightener)

  Moroccanoil® Blonde Voyage Powder Lightener + 20-volume developer

• Formula B (root melt)

  Moroccanoil® Color Calypso Demi-Permanent Cream Color 7N + 5-volume Oxidative Cream Developer

• Formula B (toner)

  Color Calypso Demi-Permanent Cream Color 10.12 + 5-volume Oxidative Cream Developer 

Photo Credit: Instagram via @hair.by.suzi

Sandy Biscoff Blonde

• Formula A (lightener):

  Moroccanoil® Blonde Voyage Powder Lightener + 20-volume Moroccanoil® Oxidative Cream Developer

• Formula B (root melt):

  Moroccanoil® Color Calypso Demi-Permanent Cream Color 5N + 5-volume Oxidative Cream Developer

• Formula C (mids to ends toner):

  Color Calypso Demi-Permanent Cream Color 30g 10G + 30g 10.BG + 5-volume Oxidative Cream Developer

Photo Credit: Instagram via @hair.by.suzi

Ready to formulate your OWN expensive blonde?

Products Used

Hair Color

Blonde Voyage Powder Lightener

Moroccanoil®

Demi-Permanent Color

Color Calypso Demi-Permanent Cream Color

Moroccanoil®