Herbatint 8N Light Blonde Permanent Hair Colour – 150ml

Both are neutral-toned blondes with no brassiness or ash, but 8N is one shade lighter than 7N. On a practical level: 7N (Blonde) gives a mid-blonde result — a warm, natural blonde that suits medium starting hair colours particularly well. 8N (Light Blonde) gives a lighter, brighter result — closer to a true light blonde as you might see on naturally fair hair. If you want more lightness without warmth, 8N is the better choice over 7N. If you're uncertain, a strand test will show you the likely result on your specific hair before you commit.

Yes — as a permanent oxidative formula, 8N is designed to provide full, consistent grey and white hair coverage. Grey hair can sometimes be resistant to lighter blonde shades, so thorough application and observing the full development time are particularly important for achieving the best result. If you have a high proportion of grey and find it resistant, a strand test will help you assess coverage before doing a full application.

Permanent hair colour can lighten hair by a limited number of shades — typically up to two to three levels — depending on the developer strength included. Going from dark brown or black to a light blonde (8N) in a single application is not achievable with a standard permanent colour box, regardless of brand. Achieving light blonde from a dark starting point requires pre-lightening with bleach, which is a separate process. Attempting this without bleach will produce a reddish or orange result on dark hair rather than light blonde.

Some brassiness developing over time in blonde hair is normal — it is caused by the warm underlying pigments in hair becoming more visible as the colour fades. To counteract this, use a purple or blue-tinted shampoo (a toning shampoo) once or twice a week. These deposit a tiny amount of violet pigment that neutralises the orange and yellow tones, keeping the blonde cooler and fresher between colour applications. The 8N neutral formulation minimises brassiness at the point of application; toning shampoo maintains that result over the weeks that follow.

Lighter blonde shades require a higher level of oxidative action to lift hair to a lighter tone, which can be more challenging for the hair's structure than applying a darker or deposit-only shade. The eight organic plant extracts in the Herbatint formula — particularly aloe vera and ginseng — are included specifically to support hair moisture and structural integrity during this process, reducing the post-colour dryness and roughness that lighter shades can produce more than darker ones.

It depends on whether you want pure neutral lightness or a warmer, slightly golden result. 8N delivers a clean, balanced light blonde — bright and light without warmth. 9N Honey Blonde is the lightest shade in the neutral Herbatint range but has a slightly honeyed, warm quality despite its N designation. If you want maximum brightness without warmth, 8N is the better fit. If you prefer a touch of warmth in your light blonde, 9N is worth considering. When in doubt, a strand test on both shades on a small hidden section will show you the difference on your specific hair.