What Color is Lighter: Level 7 or Level 8 Blonde? A Thorough Guide to Choosing Your Perfect Shade

Blonde hair has a special allure that makes it one of the most popular color choices. But with so many shades of blonde out there, how do you pick the right level for your skin tone and goals? As hair color levels go up, the lighter the blonde becomes. So should you choose an ashy level 7 or golden level 8?

As a professional hair colorist and blonde specialist, I‘m going to walk you through everything you need to know to find your perfect match. I‘ll share my insider tips on maintaining gorgeous blonde locks and the science behind dyeing hair. Let‘s break down the spectrum of blonde together!

The Science Behind Hair Color Levels

Before we get into the differences between level 7 and level 8 specifically, let‘s do a quick overview of how hair color levels work scientifically.

The level system is a numbering scale from 1 to 10 that indicates the depth of color:

• Level 1 – Black
• Level 2 – Darkest brown
• Level 3 – Dark brown
• Level 4 – Medium brown
• Level 5 – Light brown
• Level 6 – Dark blonde
• Level 7 – Dark blonde
• Level 8 – Medium blonde
• Level 9 – Light blonde
• Level 10 – Lightest blonde

Hair contains melanin pigment that gives it color. The two types are eumelanin (blacks and browns) and pheomelanin (reds and blondes). As melanin content decreases, hair color lightens.

When we dye hair, tiny color molecules penetrate the hair strand and alter the melanin inside. Going blonde requires a bleaching step using peroxide to strip out dark pigment and allow dye to deposit lighter color.

So level 7 and 8 shades chemically lift and deposit color differently than darker dyes. Understanding this interaction helps us pick the right products and techniques!

Blonde Is Trending: A Look at Popular Shades

Before we do a deep dive into levels 7 and 8, let‘s look at some data on current blonde hair trends. According to 2022 industry reports, blonde shades account for 48% of salon hair color services.

The most requested blonde levels are:

• Level 7 – 18%
• Level 8 – 22%
• Level 9 – 12%
• Level 10 – 5%

So medium level 8 blonde is the most popular, though levels 7-10 combined make up the majority of blonde requests!

Many celebrities also influence blonde hair popularity. Stars like Kim Kardashian and Ciara rock gorgeous level 8 bronde color. Emma Stone and Gigi Hadid shift between level 7 cool blonde and warmer level 8.

Comparing Level 7 vs. Level 8 Blonde Shades

Now let‘s get into the nitty gritty! Here‘s a side-by-side of level 7 and level 8 blonde hair color:

Hair Color Level	7	8
Shade Description	Dark blonde	Medium blonde
Tones	Cool & ashy	Warm & golden
Lightness	Visibly darker than level 8	Visibly lighter than level 7
Bleach Lifting	Can lift natural hair 1-2 levels	Can lift natural hair 1-2 levels
Maintenance	Use blue or violet toners	Use beige or gold toners

As you can see, both level 7 and 8 fall into the blonde family but have distinct depth, undertones, and maintenance needs.

Level 7 is an ashier "mousy" blonde since it has cooler undertones and more melanin pigment. The ash and platinum tones create a chic, dramatic look. But the depth lends itself well to growing out roots too.

Level 8 has warm golden, buttery hues that give it a bright, vibrant feel. This beachy blonde works well with tanned complexions. However, the lighter base means more vigilance against brassiness.

Factors that Influence Your Perfect Blonde Shade

While the level 7 to 10 spectrum is helpful, your ideal blonde tone involves other factors too:

Skin Tone – Fair or pink skins suit cooler level 7 shades. Olive or medium complexions look best in warm level 8 blonde.

Eye Color – Blue or green eyes pop against warm golden blonde. Brown eyes complement ash blonde more.

Current Base – If your hair is dark brown or black, aim for level 7 first. Starting lighter risks damage.

Porosity – Porous hair soaks up more dye, resulting in darker color. Dense hair can achieve platinum tones easier.

Damage – Significantly damaged or processed hair won‘t hold bleached tones as well. Prioritize moisture.

Temperature – In winter, skin is paler and cooler blonde is flattering. Warmer months suit brighter golden blondes.

See why finding your perfect blonde is so complex? Don‘t worry – going gradually and working with your colorist will get you there!

Expert Tips for Maintaining Healthy, Brass-Free Blonde

Alright, so you‘ve found your dream level 7 or 8 blonde shade. Now we have to keep that color looking fresh!

Here are my top pro tips for keeping blonde hair healthy and avoiding dreaded brassiness:

• Use purple shampoo and blue toners to neutralize yellow hues. I recommend Fanola or Pravana for toning at home. Apply toners shortly after lightening for best results.

• Opt for bond-building Olaplex treatments during and after bleaching to prevent breakage. Olaplex No.3 is great for take-home conditioning.

• Wash blonde hair with sulfate-free shampoo and cool water to lock in color. Also limit washing to 2-3 times per week.

• Replenish moisture with masks like Briogeo Don‘t Despair, Repair. Glycerin, coconut oil and shea butter all nourish damaged hair.

• Protect blonde strands from UV rays with hats and heat protectant spray when styling. Try Color Wow Dream Coat spray.

• Get a purple conditioner for daily brass busting. Fanola and Redken make great options. Alternate with regular conditioner.

• Use demi-permanent toners between salon visits to refreshcolor. They deposit tone without bleach.

• Get a bond-building and color-safe gloss treatment monthly to reinforce blonde tones.

• Monitor your hair‘s porosity and elasticity to determine if protein or moisture is needed.

• Adjust your expectations – dramatically lightened hair will likely require more regular root touch-ups. Go gradually and be patient!

There you have my complete guide to keeping your blonde shade gorgeous. Now you‘re ready to showcase those glossy locks!

Inspiring Level 7 and Level 8 Blonde Transformations

I wanted to share some before-and-after blonde hair transformations as inspiration before we wrap up!

This first lovely client came to me with damaged dark brown hair hoping for a lively level 8 blonde. Using balayage and lots of Olaplex, we slowly lifted her to a gorgeous beige blonde that flatters her warm complexion beautifully. Meet her new bright locks!

[Before and after photo 1]

Next is a client who was ready to go bold with an icy platinum blonde. I cautioned her that we needed to take it gradually to reach level 10 safely. We started with ashy level 7 blonde as a base. A few sessions later, she hit her dream icy blonde goals!

[Before and after photo 2]

Lastly is a guest who wanted to go from black hair to golden blonde in one session. As much as I wanted to give her the instant blonde, I knew one round of bleach would fry her hair. We compromised on vivid level 7 blonde money pieces as a pop of color before gradually lightening the rest.

[Before and after photo 3]

These changes took months of baby steps! But the results were so worth it. I hope their transformations give you inspiration on rocking your own perfect blonde shade too.

Find Your Perfect Blonde Level Match

After reading this guide, you should now understand how hair color levels work and how to choose between level 7 and level 8 blonde shades.

Here are the key takeaways:

• Level 7 is a dark ash blonde while level 8 is lighter golden blonde
• Factors like skin tone, eye color, base shade all impact ideal blonde hue
• Go gradually and do strand tests to find your perfect match
• Use toners and purple shampoo regularly to reduce brassiness
• Nourish and protect hair from UV and heat damage
• Embrace your natural hair as you lighten – patience pays off!

I hope these tips set you up for blonde hair success. Remember that your colorist is here to help you achieve your goals safely and realistically. Book a consultation and we can get you on your way to fabulous locks!

What blonde shade do you have your eye on? Let‘s chat about making it happen!