14 Mood-Boosting Hair Colors Everyone’s Booking In For This Summer
Every summer, it’s as if the sun switches something on, bringing a rush of energy and the sudden urge to reinvent myself. Beyond the annual wardrobe switch-up and trading full-coverage makeup for lighter layers and one-and-done multisticks, I always feel the pull to change my hair color, too — usually for something brighter, fresher, and just sun-kissed enough to look like I’ve spent a couple of weeks somewhere expensive. If that sounds familiar, consider this your sign to keep reading. I asked top colorists from London to Los Angeles for their predictions on the biggest hair color trends of the moment, and even if going lighter isn’t on the agenda, there’s something for everyone on this list. DashDividers_1_500x100 DashDividers_1_500x100 Warm Sandy Bronde View this post on Instagram A post shared by Devyn Pennell (@braggnbeauty) “I think summer’s hair color trends are leaning towards working with what your mama gave you,” says Amy Huson, balayage expert and owner of Amy Huson on Rose in Venice, California. “But it’s polished and enhanced,” she adds. “Think rich and luxurious, but relatively low maintenance,” like this color by Devyn Pennell. For Huson, warm sandy bronde says, “I know how to make my hair look super sexy without overdoing it,” and she pinpoints Hailey Bieber as the ultimate inspiration. “You want to ask your colorist for finer highlights that stop at the paler yellow stage — which are easy to tone to a nice sandy gold — with a few tips at the ends,” says Huson. “Your colorist will then melt that base down for a seamless gradient,” she adds. The key? “You do not want to see highlights at the top of the head,” emphasizes Huson. “We’re going for natural.” Monochromatic Brunette View this post on Instagram A post shared by • Erica Perez • LA Hairstylist • (@cutsandcolorbyerica) Jess Gonzalez, a Pravana color expert and celebrity colorist, champions monochromatic brunette for summer. “This color consists of brunette tones that stay within the same color family, creating soft, seamless dimension with low contrast and tons of shine,” she says, like this shade by Erica Perez. The result is polished but effortless. “It’s perfect for brunettes who want to lighten things up subtly without losing the richness of being brunette.” Mushroom Brown View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sharon Mudavanhu (@yogacolourist) If permanent hair color feels too much of a commitment, consider thickening hair extensions. Katy Grimshaw, founder of Spectrum One, says that mushroom brown — an earthy blend of ash brown and soft taupe — is easy to create using hair pieces. “It’s all about balance,” says Grimshaw. “It neutralizes warmth while maintaining depth, making it ideal for clients who want a polished, fashion-forward look without harsh contrasts.” Spectrum One ambassador Elliot Caffrey likes to mix Midnight Brown with Cookies and Cream for what he calls a truly multidimensional finish. We love this voluminous, nuanced bob posted to Instagram by colorist Sharon Mudavanhu. Cherry Cola View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kassandra Venegas (@hairbykassandra) Alex Brownsell, founder and creative director of Bleach London, believes that cherry cola is one of the coolest shades of the moment. “It’s a multi-dimensional burgundy-brunette that’s perfect for blending grays or livening up your current color,” says Brownsell — even on brunettes, and with Bleach’s tint, there’s no bleach required. That’s because it’s a high-lift permanent color that works by enlisting oxidative dyes to penetrate the hair shaft, gently lightening as they color the hair. If you’d rather go pro, take inspiration from this beautiful shade by Kassandra Venegas. Golden Hour Blonde View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ninah (@ninah__razafindrasoa) Christine Bellemare, cofounder of Maven A Collect, predicts that blondes will shift toward softer, warmer tones inspired by that mesmerizing golden hour glow. We love this shade on content creator Ninah. “Instead of icy or super bright blondes, clients are asking for creamy, champagne, buttery beige, and muted gold shades that feel more natural and expensive-looking,” says Bellemare. The goal? “A blonde that still feels bright but grows out softer and requires less upkeep.” She suggests asking your stylist for blended dimension, a lived-in root, and a gloss to keep the color shiny and healthy-looking. If you’re glossing at home, we love Glaze Supergloss in Honey Blonde. Strawberry Blonde View this post on Instagram A post shared by MACKENZIE ANDREWS | YEG HAIR ???? (@hairbymackenzieandrews) Strawberries have infiltrated fashion, fragrance, and now hair. “This summer’s strawberry blonde feels softer and more diffused,” says Gonzalez, like this color by MacKenzie Andrews. “Think peachy apr
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Every summer, it’s as if the sun switches something on, bringing a rush of energy and the sudden urge to reinvent myself. Beyond the annual wardrobe switch-up and trading full-coverage makeup for lighter layers and one-and-done multisticks, I always feel the pull to change my hair color, too — usually for something brighter, fresher, and just sun-kissed enough to look like I’ve spent a couple of weeks somewhere expensive.
If that sounds familiar, consider this your sign to keep reading. I asked top colorists from London to Los Angeles for their predictions on the biggest hair color trends of the moment, and even if going lighter isn’t on the agenda, there’s something for everyone on this list.
Warm Sandy Bronde
“I think summer’s hair color trends are leaning towards working with what your mama gave you,” says Amy Huson, balayage expert and owner of Amy Huson on Rose in Venice, California. “But it’s polished and enhanced,” she adds. “Think rich and luxurious, but relatively low maintenance,” like this color by Devyn Pennell.
For Huson, warm sandy bronde says, “I know how to make my hair look super sexy without overdoing it,” and she pinpoints Hailey Bieber as the ultimate inspiration. “You want to ask your colorist for finer highlights that stop at the paler yellow stage — which are easy to tone to a nice sandy gold — with a few tips at the ends,” says Huson. “Your colorist will then melt that base down for a seamless gradient,” she adds. The key? “You do not want to see highlights at the top of the head,” emphasizes Huson. “We’re going for natural.”
Monochromatic Brunette
Jess Gonzalez, a Pravana color expert and celebrity colorist, champions monochromatic brunette for summer. “This color consists of brunette tones that stay within the same color family, creating soft, seamless dimension with low contrast and tons of shine,” she says, like this shade by Erica Perez. The result is polished but effortless. “It’s perfect for brunettes who want to lighten things up subtly without losing the richness of being brunette.”
Mushroom Brown
If permanent hair color feels too much of a commitment, consider thickening hair extensions. Katy Grimshaw, founder of Spectrum One, says that mushroom brown — an earthy blend of ash brown and soft taupe — is easy to create using hair pieces. “It’s all about balance,” says Grimshaw. “It neutralizes warmth while maintaining depth, making it ideal for clients who want a polished, fashion-forward look without harsh contrasts.” Spectrum One ambassador Elliot Caffrey likes to mix Midnight Brown with Cookies and Cream for what he calls a truly multidimensional finish. We love this voluminous, nuanced bob posted to Instagram by colorist Sharon Mudavanhu.
Cherry Cola
Alex Brownsell, founder and creative director of Bleach London, believes that cherry cola is one of the coolest shades of the moment. “It’s a multi-dimensional burgundy-brunette that’s perfect for blending grays or livening up your current color,” says Brownsell — even on brunettes, and with Bleach’s tint, there’s no bleach required. That’s because it’s a high-lift permanent color that works by enlisting oxidative dyes to penetrate the hair shaft, gently lightening as they color the hair. If you’d rather go pro, take inspiration from this beautiful shade by Kassandra Venegas.
Golden Hour Blonde
Christine Bellemare, cofounder of Maven A Collect, predicts that blondes will shift toward softer, warmer tones inspired by that mesmerizing golden hour glow. We love this shade on content creator Ninah.
“Instead of icy or super bright blondes, clients are asking for creamy, champagne, buttery beige, and muted gold shades that feel more natural and expensive-looking,” says Bellemare. The goal? “A blonde that still feels bright but grows out softer and requires less upkeep.” She suggests asking your stylist for blended dimension, a lived-in root, and a gloss to keep the color shiny and healthy-looking. If you’re glossing at home, we love Glaze Supergloss in Honey Blonde.
Strawberry Blonde
Strawberries have infiltrated fashion, fragrance, and now hair. “This summer’s strawberry blonde feels softer and more diffused,” says Gonzalez, like this color by MacKenzie Andrews. “Think peachy apricot tones instead of bold copper,” adds Gonzalez. On blondes, shades like this add warmth, glow, and dimension without fully leaning red, she says. “Even something as simple as adding a warm gloss to your highlights can create that sun-flushed shift for summer.” We love dpHUE Gloss+ in Strawberry.
Warm Cinnamon Brown
Warm, cozy, latte-inspired shades have followed us from fall into spring and now summer. Daisy Edgar-Jones and Grace Gummer are the perfect inspiration. “This is a really fun color and a great way to change it up if you’re a natural medium brunette, without straying too far out of your comfort zone,” says Huson. “It’s extremely rich and immediately warms you up.”
Ethereal Copper
Huson has a feeling that copper tones will continue to be front-runners this summer, but this time around, they’re softer, more golden, and have an ethereal glow, à la Joey King and Sadie Sink. We’re a little bit obsessed with this gleaming hue by Massarella & Jones.
“Ethereal copper tones tend to suit paler skin, while coppers with a brunette edge suit tan and darker skin tones,” says Huson, adding that the many different nuances and shades mean the color can be tailored to anyone. Huson says a good colorist will assess your skin tone before deciding how dark or light the shade should be, so it pays to find someone you trust rather than attempting it yourself.
Milk Tea Blonde
This blonde hue takes inspiration from one of our favorite pick-me-ups — milk tea. “It’s a soft, neutral beige-blonde with creamy taupe undertones that give the hair a velvety, expensive-looking finish,” says Gonzalez. Like milk tea, the shade strikes a balance between warm and cool tones. “It creates a softer, more muted blonde instead of bright contrast,” says Gonzalez, “and it’s ideal for blondes wanting a more natural look for summer.” This color by Asahi is stunning. To dial up the gloss, Gonzalez likes to rake Shu Uemura Essence Absolue Nourishing Protective Hair Oil through the mid-lengths and ends.
Ultra-Glossy Brown
Naturally, the darker the hair, the glossier it appears — take cue from these gorgeous curls on Franchelli Rodriguez-Grullon here.
But Huson says that adding a few balayage pieces towards the ends — lifting only a level lighter — will add a touch of summer warmth without taking away from the shine. Post-balayage, she suggests asking your colorist for a rich brunette gloss on top for a chocolate swirl–style finish. This shade by Frida Flores is beautiful.
Dimensional Glossy Blonde
Dimensional, glossy blonde — think Lila Moss and Justine Lupe — gets its shine from very subtle golden tones woven throughout darker pieces of hair, which give the color movement and shine, says Huson. She advises being super clear with your colorist: “You don’t want orange undertones or honey hues; you want paler yellow undertones that are creamy and buttery,” — much like this color by Ashlea Simmons.
“Leaving some depth on the head is the key to dimension,” says Huson, adding that focusing on the hair closest to the scalp and the very ends creates the right amount of contrast. “I like to soften the natural base just a touch with a base bump,” says Huson, referring to a technique that lifts your natural root color by one to two levels. “Balayage [a freehand hair-painting method] is perfect for this because you can control the blending and the placement much better,” Huson adds.
Sugared Brunette
Think of spun sugar and its caramel-esque nuances, like this shade by @the_colorkween on Instagram. “With sugared brunette, it’s about light reflection and softness,” says Spectrum One’s Grimshaw. “Extensions play a crucial role in amplifying this effect, adding layers of tonal variation that catch the light beautifully in movement.” On a dark brunette base, Grimshaw likes to mix shades Truffle and Lady Ash, which are like drizzles of caramel and honey through melted chocolate.
Iced Latte Blonde
Iced latte blonde infuses subtle, whipped, Dalgona coffee-inspired shades through a much lighter base, like this color by Darcee. “This is blonde with depth,” Grimshaw explains. “It’s not flat or overly icy, it’s creamy and incredibly flattering across a range of skin tones.” Spectrum One’s Cookies and Cream shade is her go-to for creating this look on clients with blonde lengths.
Gray Blending
“Gray blending is huge in the salon right now,” says Huson, “and it’s not just among my 40+ clients.” She says that rather than turning to permanent coverage, the best way to reduce maintenance is to blend, blend, and blend. Sarah Strange is all the inspiration you need to embrace your grays.
“If you’re a blonde, this looks like balayage or finer foils,” which is when your colorist takes very small sections of hair to highlight. Then there’s what Huson calls a base bump — a lighter permanent color that lifts your natural root shade by one to two levels. This can also help blend grays seamlessly. If your hair is darker? “Brunettes can also do fine foils,” says Huson, “but I like to add a demi permanent gloss like Redken Shades EQ or Schwarzkopf Vibrance between the foils so that the final result is still natural.”
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