Hair color is tricky to prescribe, because even though we all feel that annual itch to go a few shades lighter for summer, there's no universal shade of blonde that looks amazing on everyone. For you, maybe a soft caramel lift feels more fitting than the trendy beachy blonde balayage. Or, on the flip side, maybe a rich red is what you've been dying to try, and you just need a little inspiration to convince you to take the plunge at your next appointment.
So, to help get you to your version of summer-perfect color, we've broken down the season's six coolest hair-color trends, ahead. From Emma Roberts' cool boho blonde to Rachel Brosnahan-inspired honey-tinged waves and Zendaya's take on soft red, there's a shade that will have you calling your colorist, booking next week, and feeling your perfect summer-fresh shade in time for the official segue into beach season.
Red
It feels apropos that red-hot hair color would spike in the middle of summer. Over the past few weeks, celebs like Zendaya and Rihanna have put their spin on the shade, both pairing long red extensions with a backless dress — and we're feeling inspired to follow suit.
Honey Bronde
L.A. colorist Tauni Dawson calls this shade “graham cracker” — a honey-bronde tone one step lighter than hazelnut brown. "Bronde" falls precisely mid-range between a blonde and a brunette; most colorists think of it as a dirty-blonde color with warm gold undertones.
Boho Blonde
If you follow celebrity hair trends, you may have noticed that A-listers like Emma Roberts and Alison Brie have recently broken up with their brunette color, taking their hair to a fun, two-dimensional "boho blonde" shade. Celebrity colorist Nikki Lee, who gave Roberts her recent lift, tells us the look is purposefully darker at the root and brighter towards the ends. "Instead of doing the typical bright blonde, we went for a 'boho sunrise tone,'" Lee says. "It's something that feels a bit more undone and effortless."
Pastel Pink
Pastels may be a universal sign of spring, but baby-pink highlights are going to stick around and pick up major trend traction this summer: VS models, A-list actresses, and of-the-moment pop stars are proof. Colorist Linda de Zeeuw out of Rob Peetom Salon in Brooklyn tells us that pastel pink is tricky to pull off, but looks great on any base color when done right. "The rose-gold color is easier to achieve when you have a light blonde base," she explains — which is why the tone looks so angelic on Elsa Hosk. "If you have dark hair, make sure to ask your colorist to use a deeper shade of rose with more pigment, which will complement the dark base nicely."
Hazelnut Brown
Sometimes taking your hair a tinge lighter actually lands you closer to your natural base — as is the case with Riverdale star Camila Mendes, who recently brought her shiny blue-black color closer to a warm hazelnut brown. Conveniently, warm brown is going to be a big low-maintenance color trend for summer, according to celebrity colorist Larisa Love. “I’m forecasting the next big color trend to be warmer, richer, more golden hues with seamless dimension," she explains. "This look is more one-dimensional, as opposed to painted with multi-tonal balayage or delicate babylights."
Sunlight Brunette
There's something about the official start of summer that makes light, face-framing highlights — a naturally warm gold, as if touched by the sun — super enticing. We've seen color inspiration all over Hollywood lately, with fresh, gilded highlights sported by supermodels, actresses, and A-listers alike. Bella Hadid and her honey-tinged babylights and Lea Michele's newlywed lift are likely just the beginning of the summer trend takeoff.