How To Create an AI Blonde: Key Toning Tips & Formulas To Save
Perfect, glowing blondes are everywhere online, but many of the most-shared “inspo” photos aren’t real. They’re AI-generated, created without real-world factors or hair history in mind. That’s where professional colorists shine: translating digital perfection into luminous, believable color that looks gorgeous in real life.
Moroccanoil® Global Ambassador Gareth Williams (@garethwilliamshair) breaks down what an AI blonde really means in the salon, how to manage client expectations, and his go-to formulas and toning tips that merge technology’s polish with true artistry
What Is an “AI Blonde”?
“I think an AI blonde is definitely what we’re seeing where we’ve got that perfect, clean, consistent tone from root to tip and the fullness, the density of the hair is there,” Gareth shares.
“But for me, I think the way that we need to combat and talk about this with our clients is actually bringing the humanity and emotion—that’s something that AI can’t really replicate. Hand-picking out the shades and tonality that’s going to suit their skin tone, make the best of their natural hair texture, a computer can’t do that. We’re the pros.”
On the plus side: “I think the really interesting thing about clients using AI imagery is it actually gives you a really clear indication of what their expectations are. They are looking for a really fantastic, well-thought-out result bearing on perfection.”
How To Talk To Clients About AI Inspiration Photos:
When clients bring in AI-generated images for hair inspiration, it reveals more than just a color goal—it shows what kind of imagery they’re consuming and comparing their hair to.
“I think it’s really important that we think about the psychology of a client: if this is what they’re comparing themselves to, they’re comparing themselves to a computer-generated image. It’s really important that we say, ‘Look, this doesn’t naturally occur.’ Otherwise, we’ll always have that direct comparison to an AI-produced image. Also, encouraging them to find more lifestyle shots of influencers or other images on socials or Pinterest.”
Gareth reminds pros to approach these conversations with empathy, helping clients understand that real hair comes with variables like lifestyle, budget, texture, density and condition. “We need to communicate this in a way that’s kind and understanding,” he adds, “so clients don’t feel silly or that their aspirations are too high; but, instead, feel educated and supported.”
How To Build an AI Blonde with Color Formulas
Gareth explains that there are two key considerations you should have as a colorist: Highlight placement and tone.
- Highlight Placement: If a client brings in this kind of inspo photo, creating the illusion of thickness, density and fullness through the midlengths and ends is key—which means sectioning that creates fullness with consistent highlights throughout the hair.
- Tone: Containing warmth and ensuring that there’s not too much blue ash in the formulation. So we’ve got lots of reflection for the light,” Gareth shares.
Follow Gareth’s AI blonde step-by-step below! “This is a super gorgeous formula and works well for those clients who don’t want to be [ashy], but don’t want to be yellow,” Gareth shares.
- Lift the hair to a Level 10 using Moroccanoil® Blonde Voyage Powder + 20-volume Moroccanoil Crème Developer: Gareth combines diffused highlights, babylights, fine weaves and medium weaves throughout the hair.
- Use fine weaves near the parting at natural fall, feathered into the previous blonde.
- Tone all-over using Moroccanoil® Color Calypso Demi-Permanent Cream 5 ml 10.3 + 25 ml 9.91 + 20 ml Clear + 100 ml 5-volume Color Calypso Developer
The “Why” Behind This AI Blonde Formula: “I used the 10.3 to carry the 9.91 into the hair. The Clear was there to keep the tonality of the hair delicate whilst still delivering all that gorgeous Aragan ID technology!” Gareth explains.
Other Favorite Shades: “I’m really loving the new Color Calypso Gold Violet shades: 10.23, 10.32 and intermixing them with Clear so we’ve got a slightly less pigmented version of that, so we’re really keeping the lightness and brightness,” Gareth shares.
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