What is mushroom blonde?
Mushroom blonde is a cool-toned, smoky blend of blonde and light brown, combining ash, beige and soft taupe tones. It sits between blonde and brunette, giving a natural, multi-dimensional finish that looks expensive and grows out softly.
It's often described as ash blonde with a hint of grey, a taupe or "mink" blonde, or a muted, neutral alternative to icy blonde. Unlike warmer blondes, mushroom tones reduce brassiness for a softer, more wearable result. To understand the cool shade codes behind it, see our colour numbering guide and our ash blonde guide.
Who is mushroom blonde best for?
- Clients who don't want warmth or gold tones.
- Brunettes going lighter but staying natural.
- Blondes wanting a softer, cooler refresh.
- Low-maintenance colour clients.
How to create mushroom blonde
1. Pre-lighten the hair
A clean base is essential for a true mushroom tone:
- Level 9–10 gives a lighter, cooler mushroom blonde.
- Level 6–8 gives a deeper, brunette-leaning mushroom.
Any remaining warmth affects the final result, so lifting clean is key. See our bleach and lightener guide for powder and developer choices.
2. Choose your technique
Mushroom blonde is about dimension, not flat colour. Use techniques such as balayage, highlights or babylights, reverse balayage (root shadow), or soft ombre and lived-in colour. The goal is a soft blend of depth and lightness.
3. Tone the hair
Shinefinity (gloss / low commitment)
For a soft, modern mushroom blonde finish, Shinefinity is ideal. Mix 1:1 with Shinefinity Activator, apply to towel-dried or dry hair, develop for up to 20 minutes, and use heat to increase intensity if needed.
Result: a cool, grey-beige blonde that neutralises warmth without over-toning, delivers high shine and keeps the finish soft and natural — cool without looking flat or overly ashy. For full application and shade selection, see our Shinefinity colour guide.
Alternative colour options
Koleston Perfect (permanent colour) — best for longer-lasting results and stronger tone deposit, creating a more defined, structured mushroom blonde with depth.
Illumina Color (natural high shine) — ideal for softer, more natural mushroom tones, with a sheer, reflective finish and subtle dimension.
Color Touch (demi-permanent) — best for refreshing tone or blending without commitment, and for maintaining mushroom tones between services.
Real salon formulas
Here are example salon formulas for creating true mushroom blonde results. All formula credits to the original stylists; results may vary depending on base and technique.
Mushroom blonde with Shinefinity (lowlight + gloss)
Credit: work by @emmaharleyhair (TikTok)
Formula:
- Lowlights: 04/0 + 07/81 (equal parts)
- Gloss: 010/6 (Flash shade)
Result: a soft, multi-dimensional mushroom blonde with a cool taupe base and brighter reflective pieces through the lengths.
Why it works: lowlights add depth and that "mink" tone, the gloss keeps the blonde clean without going flat, and dimension is kept instead of over-toning.
Highlight blend formula with Shinefinity
Credit: work by @lunahuybers (TikTok)
Formula:
- 07/12
- 09/81
- 08/98
- 00/00 (Clear)
Application: used over highlights to create a blended mushroom blonde finish.
Result: a cool, dimensional blonde with ash, beige and subtle pearl tones, giving a soft, lived-in result without harsh lines.
Why it works: 07/12 builds the mushroom base, 09/81 adds brightness, 08/98 neutralises warmth, and Clear softens the overall tone.
Mushroom blonde with Illumina (root melt + gloss)
Credit: work by Wella Professionals, created by Barbora Škváčková
Formula — roots: 7/81 + 8/ + 8/1, with 12% developer.
Formula — lengths & ends: Illumina Opal-Essence Titanium Rose + Platinum Lily, with 1.9% developer.
Application: root melt with permanent colour, followed by a gloss through the lengths for a seamless blend.
Result: a soft, luminous mushroom blonde — cool beige and ash tones at the root, clean reflective blonde through the ends, and a natural, blended transition for a high-end, "expensive blonde" finish.
Mushroom blonde root + gloss (Illumina + Shinefinity)
Formula — root colour (Illumina): 7/ + 7/81 + 8/05, with 4% (13 vol).
Formula — gloss (Shinefinity): 07/13 + 09/05 with Shinefinity Activator.
Application: permanent root colour to create depth and structure, followed by a Shinefinity gloss through mid-lengths and ends to soften and refine the tone.
Result: a soft, blended mushroom blonde with natural depth at the root, cool beige and taupe tones through the lengths, and a high-shine, diffused finish — polished but soft and wearable.
Pro tip: developer choice is key. Using 4% (13 vol) helps deepen the tone slightly while keeping softness and control.
Mushroom blonde with Koleston Perfect
Image credit: Wella Professionals, colour by Saphira Latifi
For a more permanent mushroom blonde, Koleston Perfect creates a cool beige, ashy finish with strong longevity.
Formula:
- 9/31 for soft beige warmth
- 8/97 for ash depth and control
This combination neutralises underlying warmth while keeping the result soft and natural rather than flat or grey. For shade selection, see our Koleston Perfect shade guide.
Pro tips for better results
- Apply on towel-dried hair for softer tones.
- Apply on dry hair for stronger colour deposit.
- Add Clear to soften and diffuse results.
- Use heat for more intensity when needed.
Common mistakes
- Not lifting enough, which gives a muddy result.
- Too much warmth, which loses the mushroom tone.
- Over-ashing, which gives a flat or dull finish.
- No dimension, which makes the colour look blocky.
Shop mushroom blonde essentials
- Shinefinity no-lift gloss
- Wella colour
- Wella lighteners
Frequently asked questions
What colour is mushroom blonde?
A cool-toned blend of blonde and light brown with ash, taupe and beige undertones.
What level do you need for mushroom blonde?
Typically between level 6 and 10, depending on the depth of the final look.
What toner is best for mushroom blonde?
Cool, neutral tones such as ash, violet and beige. Shinefinity is ideal for soft glossing results.
Is mushroom blonde high maintenance?
No. It grows out softer than traditional blonde and doesn't show warmth as quickly.
Can you achieve mushroom blonde with Shinefinity?
Yes. Shinefinity can be used as a glaze on pre-lightened hair to create a soft, cool mushroom tone with high shine.
Buy mushroom blonde colour at trade prices
Hairco & Beauty is a trade-only wholesaler supplying Wella Shinefinity, Illumina, Color Touch, Koleston Perfect and lighteners at trade prices with fast UK delivery. Open a free trade account to see your pricing.
Written by Charlotte Read, Content Writer at Hairco & Beauty. Charlotte has over six years' experience in professional hair and beauty, and our guides are informed by colleagues with 100+ years of combined salon experience and by insight from the trade customers we supply. More about our content.
