The 17 Summer Hair-Color Trends That Will Flood Your Social Feeds | Vogue
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Summer hair colors can be summed up in one word: fun. From the usual suspects, such as sandy blondes and , to loud color statements with neon and pastels, there’s just something about the warmer months that brings energy to our hair choices.
But if bold shades aren’t your thing, not to worry. This summer, celebrity colorist and Redken ambassador says you’ll also want to consider embracing your softer side. “We’re leaning into tones that feel warm, natural, and sun-kissed,” Heaps says. “Nothing too extreme, just soft and believable color that enhances your natural vibe.”
“Less on trends and more on creating healthy, vibrant color that’s luminous and lets the hair’s natural depth show through,” says , celebrity colorist and founder of . “Healthy hair is the key to healthy color.”
When the summer season starts, the world is your metaphorical oyster—at least hairwise. To help inspire your new look, we asked the pros what colors they expect to see trending (and exactly what to ask for to get the look). Consider this the ultimate hair-color guide for when those temps rise.
Cinnamon Gloss
In line with soft coppers, Heaps says to opt for something like cinnamon gloss to elevate your natural shade. “This isn’t about going full red but adding a soft cinnamon tone to brunettes or darker blondes for depth,” she says. To keep hair healthy and natural-looking, she recommends products like the and which can help keep hair shiny and vibrant between touch-up appointments.
Golden Sunset
Summer is when blonde hair really shines. Heaps says that a golden honey blonde specifically is the perfect shade to get that beachy, sunlit feel. “Think soft, lived-in blonde with a buttery glow,” she notes. If you want to lean into your natural shade, she adds that you can have your natural dark roots blend into your lighter ends. “This season’s color is about embracing your tone, not covering it up,” she says. “Enhancing and not overpowering. If it looks like the sun did it or like you were born with it, you’re doing it right.”
Lived-In Espresso
Heaps describes lived-in espresso as a deep, dimensional shade with soft fading around the face that keeps hair looking natural but elevated.
Spiced Rum
As spring turns to summer, we’re trading our bubbly mint julep for something more tropical—maybe rum punch in a tall tiki glass. Of course, it’s not a tropical cocktail without a heavy pour of spiced rum. And while we’re at it, our hair could use a shot or two. “I love this color because it’s so simple and elegant,” says colorist , who predicts this warm, coppery take on brunette will be all the rage this summer. Maintenance is easier for naturally darker hair, of course, while blondes and redheads may be running back to the salon every four to six weeks for root touch-ups.
Charcoal Brunette
Not quite black and too mysterious to be simply brunette, charcoal brunette is a sexy, cool-toned hue with ashen undertones. “It’s a great color for summer because many brunettes skew red from sun exposure—this cool tone will help to cancel some of that out,” says colorist .
But be warned: If you have a light natural hair color, stopping into the salon for touch-ups every four to six weeks will be nonnegotiable, she says, because your roots will be especially noticeable in contrast to the wickedly dark brunette.
Crème Brûlée
Crème brûlée is like butter blonde but dirtied up a bit for a brownish, warm tint. And if you think you’re spotting three or four blondes in one, you are. “It’s a multi-tonal blonde that uses shades of lemon, gold, and bronze undertones painted throughout the hair,“ says colorist Diana Mildice. “Using multiple colors creates dimension and the illusion of thicker hair.”
Sandy Blonde
“These shades of blonde have subtle, dimensional reflection,” says colorist , who recommends asking for lived-in highlights mixed with different shades of brown. Bonus: It’s also quite a bit easier to maintain than the buttery Hollywood blondes of last season; dark roots just add to its dimension.
Microlights
If highlights are the head cheerleader in high school, then microlights are the charming French exchange student. The effect is subtle and quiet but totally captivating. “It’s just a few soft amber flecks,” says colorist Diana Mildice, who thinks these look especially beautiful on wavy or curly hair types.
Soft Black
There’s Wednesday Addams black (no disrespect), and then there’s soft black: a touchable, velvety hue that just misses the darkest black on the spectrum. It’s sexy but not too harsh. Mysterious but not unapproachable. Dark but not without charm. “If you want it to stay deep, request a single process,” says colorist . “If you want less commitment, request a gloss, since that naturally softens with each shampoo for a much easier grow-out.”
Ghost Roots
Think of color-blocking—also called ghost roots—as an edgy take on a reverse grow-out. Putting every shade of your personality into your hair screams self-assurance. “It can be done with any variety of colors: blondes, reds, brunettes, or creative fashion colors. It’s extremely versatile and personal to you,” says Joseph.
“The look could be symmetrical or something asymmetrical. You and your stylist can really have fun coming up with a placement together,” she adds. But if large swaths of color à la and Hari Nef feel like too much, try a few high-contrast highlights “like light platinum blonde on dark or black hair,” says colorist Anthony Garcia, who adds that the result is very anime and manga.
Sheer Golden Blonde
Lee describes this shade as a sunlit blonde that can shift in different light. “The placement does the heavy lifting,” she says. “Light builds gradually through the mid-lengths and ends, mimicking the way hair naturally lightens over the summer.”
Pastel Pink
For something bold and unexpected, celebrity colorist says to go pink this summer. You can opt for spring hair-color favorite (think of this like strawberry blonde’s cooler sister) or go bold with a bright pastel pink. And to take care of such a bright shade, she recommends using and to keep color looking fresh.
Warm Amber
Another summer tone Lee loves is a warm amber, which she says is a rich “lit-from-within” tone with fine copper that threads throughout for added dimension. “I keep the base grounded and let the warmth concentrate where the sun would naturally find it,” she says. To take care of this—and any—shade, she recommends using her to restore damage and keep color looking bright and vibrant.
Red With a Chocolate Tint
Perry says that what changes most for the summer is the finish of your hair, with colors turning slightly brighter, glossier, and more sun-kissed. Red hair is making a quick comeback this season, but with a twist: a hint of chocolate. She recommends using something like to lock in and protect color.
Glossy Chocolate
If you’re looking for a brunette shade, Lee says to go for a glossy chocolate. “It’s a deep, polished brown where shine is the statement,” she says. “I build it with layers of gloss instead of permanent color, leaving the ends slightly lighter so the hair catches light as it moves.”
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is a contributing writer at Vogue, covering all things beauty and wellness. As someone who is admittedly chronically online, she loves to debunk the never-ending slew of TikTok skin trends (do not put on your face) and bond with celebrities over astrology and their biggest beauty ...
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