As the temperature rises, so does the demand for summer’s trendiest hair colors. Whether you’re into bright blondes, sultry brunettes, or adventurous pastels, this season offers something for every vibe. From effortlessly low-maintenance styles to bold statement shades, summer 2024 is all about celebrating individuality with hair color. Think candlelit brunettes for a subtle glow or champagne blondes for a bold yet elegant look. This year, the salon chair is your runway, with color transformations reflecting the excitement and energy of summer.
What’s Driving Summer’s Hair Color Craze?
Celebrity colorist Tracey Cunningham captures the spirit of the season: “People are embracing bold transformations and lighter tones. I’m seeing everything from platinum blondes to natural balayage—whatever helps them feel radiant and confident.” Highlights are making a major comeback, with shades like red, copper, and strawberry blonde continuing to shine. For those seeking to enhance their natural color, subtle tweaks are just as popular as dramatic changes.
Summer Hair Colors You’ll Love
Bardot Blonde
Brigitte Bardot’s influence on beauty remains iconic, and her signature blonde is stealing the spotlight this summer. Achieve this look with a solid blonde base and hints of gold for a radiant, sunlit effect. This glamorous shade is perfect for channeling classic elegance with a modern twist.
Soft Pastels
Ethereal shades like lavender, peach, and muted blue are all the rage. These dreamy hues offer a playful yet sophisticated vibe, inspired by celebrities like Megan Fox. Perfect for summer festivals or beach days, pastels are ideal for anyone looking to experiment with color without going overboard.
Lived-In Blonde
For those seeking effortless beauty, the lived-in blonde is a go-to. This look combines warm and cool highlights over a medium base, creating a sun-kissed, natural appearance. With minimal maintenance required, it’s a practical yet chic option for busy summer schedules.
Modern Moneypiece
The classic moneypiece highlight gets a sleek upgrade this summer with finer, more delicate accents. Starting at the eyebrow level, these subtle highlights frame the face with a soft, luminous glow. Perfect for those seeking a polished yet understated style, this modern take is ideal for enhancing facial features while maintaining a natural vibe. It’s a refined twist on a timeless hair trend.
Expensive Brunette
The expensive brunette trend continues to reign supreme, embodying elegance and sophistication. With rich, golden undertones that reflect sunlight, this shade adds depth and dimension to dark hair. The result? A glass-like shine that radiates luxury. Perfect for those embracing darker, feminine energy, this look balances boldness with a soft, sunlit warmth.
Blended Brunette
Elevate classic brown hair with blended highlights that add subtle dimension and year-round warmth. Shades like caramel or red can brighten and enhance the richness of brunette tones. Take inspiration from Keke Palmer’s honey highlights, which offer a perfect balance of depth and vibrancy. Whether you prefer a bold transformation or a soft update, this trend keeps your brunette locks fresh and dynamic.
Cool Tones
For those wanting a bold and sophisticated look, cool brunette tones are the way to go. Think violet-silver shades or ashy hues reminiscent of Lee Sung-kyung’s silver tobacco hair. These icy tones add a modern edge while maintaining a sleek, timeless appeal. Perfect for making a statement, cool tones are ideal for those who love a minimalist aesthetic with a twist.
Pastel Pops
Delicate pastel shades are taking center stage this summer, offering a creative way to personalize your style. Whether it’s a full head of soft lavender, peach, or micro-pops of pastel streaks, these colors act as playful accessories for your hair. Pastels are perfect for those who love versatility, allowing you to switch up your look effortlessly. Just like your favorite jewelry, these subtle accents can add a pop of flair and personality to any hairstyle.
Old-Money Blonde
The old-money blonde trend captures the essence of quiet luxury. Characterized by finely placed highlights that create seamless transitions and paired with subtly shadowed roots, this look exudes sophistication. Think of Jennifer Lawrence’s golden blonde—a perfect balance of elegance and warmth. This timeless style enhances natural beauty while delivering depth and dimension, making it ideal for those seeking a refined yet approachable hair color.
Baby Balayage
Balayage is far from out of style, and the baby balayage is proof. This low-maintenance trend uses strategically placed highlights that grow out beautifully, minimizing the need for frequent touch-ups. Perfect for those with busy schedules, baby balayage offers a soft, sun-kissed effect, blending seamlessly with your natural hair color for a polished yet relaxed look.
Cinnamon Copper
Copper tones are surging in popularity, with cinnamon copper leading the charge. This vibrant red hue combines the richness of cinnamon with the boldness of copper, creating a warm, reflective finish. It’s a striking choice for those looking to make a statement while staying on-trend. The color adds dimension and vibrancy, making it a standout shade for summer.
Icy Platinum
As temperatures rise, icy tones like platinum blonde are bringing a refreshing edge to hair color trends. This cool, bright shade aligns with the icy blues and lavenders seen in recent fashion collections, offering a modern and bold look. Platinum blonde is perfect for those who want to stand out while embracing a sleek, contemporary vibe.
Warm-Toned Brunette
Toasty, golden undertones are keeping warm-toned brunettes in the spotlight. This trend adds a natural glow to darker hair, creating a soft, flattering dimension that feels effortless. It’s a versatile option that enhances your natural beauty, delivering a sunlit warmth perfect for summer without overwhelming the overall tone.
Butterscotch Blonde
Deep, golden shades like butterscotch blonde are dominating this season’s hair trends. This rich, balanced color blends golden undertones with depth, creating a luxurious yet approachable look. It’s a versatile option for those looking to enrich lighter blonde bases or add dimension to darker tones, making it a go-to for summer transformations.
Chocolate Cherry
For brunettes curious about red tones, chocolate cherry offers the perfect balance. This shade combines rich brown with a red wine undertone, adding warmth and depth without stepping fully into the red spectrum. It’s an excellent choice for those seeking a modern update that remains grounded in brunette territory.
Smoky Espresso
Smoky espresso is ideal for brunettes looking to cool down their hair tones. This ashy brown shade, with sandy undertones, delivers a natural yet sophisticated vibe. Reminiscent of the mushroom brunette trend, smoky espresso offers a fresh take on neutral shades, making it a chic option for those who prefer understated elegance.
Honey Wheat
The honey wheat trend celebrates natural tones with a blend of warm caramel and cool beige. This subtle blonde shade is perfect for those transitioning from brighter blondes to something more grounded and organic. It offers a versatile, low-key elegance that pairs well with various skin tones, making it a summer favorite.
Cherry Coke Red
Cherry Coke red is a striking blend of brunette, burgundy, and violet undertones, creating a rich, multidimensional shade. This versatile color suits a wide range of hair types and requires minimal lifting for most. Lighter hair tones can achieve the look with a simple red dye, while darker shades may need to lift to a dark orange base for the best results. This bold color offers depth, drama, and a touch of glamour, making it a standout choice for those ready to embrace a vivid transformation.
Chilled Chardonnay
The chilled chardonnay trend brings a refreshing twist to blonde hair with its cool, smoky, oaky ash tones. This shade combines sophistication and subtlety, making it perfect for those who love understated elegance. Ideal for light blondes and brunettes looking to add an icy yet natural touch, this style aligns with the resurgence of cooler palettes in both fashion and beauty.
Subtle Ombré
For a touch of ’70s-inspired charm, subtle ombré is making waves this season. This low-key style features a solid root that transitions into soft, sun-kissed highlights through the mid-lengths and ends. It’s a natural, lived-in look that’s perfect for those seeking a chic yet understated update. This trend works beautifully for a range of hair colors and is ideal for creating a radiant, low-maintenance style.
FAQs
1. How do I maintain icy platinum hair?
To keep platinum blonde vibrant, use purple shampoo to prevent brassiness and invest in regular deep-conditioning treatments to counteract dryness.
2. Can I try cinnamon copper at home?
While DIY is possible for simple color applications, achieving a balanced, rich copper tone often requires professional expertise for even results.
3. Are smoky espresso and chocolate cherry suitable for all skin tones?
Yes! Smoky espresso complements cool undertones, while chocolate cherry works beautifully with warm or neutral skin tones, making both shades versatile choices.
