Understanding the Transition of Your Hair Color: From Blonde to Brown

When we reflect on our childhood, many of us remember our hair as a different shade than it is now. My hair, for example, was once a lighter brown, but it has darkened over the years to a darker brown that is too light to be considered brown but too dark to be categorized as blonde.

Why Your Hair Color Changes

It is not uncommon for people to experience changes in their hair color as they age. These changes can be attributed to various factors such as genetics, environmental exposure, and hormonal changes. These transformations often make it difficult to categorize hair color, especially when it falls in between different shades.

Common Misconceptions and Categorizations

There are many ways people categorize hair color, and some of these categories might seem unusual, such as 'dark blonde,' 'summer blonde,' or 'blondish.' These terms describe hair that is slightly darker than a regular blonde but not quite brown. If you're unsure about your hair color, there are several methods to determine it accurately.

Methods to Determine Hair Color

Without seeing a photo, it is difficult to provide a precise description of your hair color. It could be a very light cool or warm brown, but the only way to know for sure is by examining a photo or visiting a drugstore to compare it to hair color boxes. Some people even use the term 'bronde' to describe this color, which is a combination of blonde and brown.

Try a Google Image Search: A simple Google image search for 'dark blonde hair' and 'light brown hair' will give you a better idea if your hair falls between these categories. If you really want to know, visit a drugstore and find the box that best matches the color of your hair. The label on the box will provide the most accurate description of your hair color.

Colorist Perspective

Professional colorists have a different perspective on hair color. They describe hair using a scale from 1 to 10 to indicate lightness and distinguish between warm, cool, or neutral tones. For most hairstylists, a level 6 is considered a light brown, while a level 7 is dark blonde. It is also possible to have multiple shades in your hair, which can make accurate categorization even more challenging.

Note: From an untrained eye, cool shades of blonde tend to appear 1–2 shades darker than they actually are. Therefore, most people might see a dark ash blonde as brown and a dark golden blonde as blonde. For example, a dark ash blonde of level 7 ash might appear as level 6 or 7 brown to someone who is not trained in color perception.

Final Thoughts

The transition of hair color from blonde to brown is a natural process that many people experience. It is important to acknowledge the different perspectives in categorizing hair color. Whether you call it dark blonde, blondish, or light brown, what matters most is how you feel about your hair and how it reflects your personal style.