Barbie’s grip on hair colors hasn’t loosened yet. Blonde has been the summer hair color trend queen for years. It’s not a stretch to claim that blonde is a popular summer hair color. But those long, bright days make you want to sand and sun-kissed highlights for your own color. Beyonce and Zendaya are among the celebrities who have embraced the blonde trend in a big fashion this year. However, the 2024 version of blonde is more golden honey-colored than Barbie Platinum.
Even the smallest changes in hair color can refresh your whole look. Tracey Cunningham, celebrity colorist and Redken Ambassador shares that “the sun is out and we want to bring in the light starting with our hair.” You can change your nail polish, clothing, and makeup. “Our hair color dictates how we look.”
You’ll want a nourishing mask every week if you know you are going blonde. Davontae Washington, a celebrity hairstylist, recommends HH Science Honey Hair Mask ($24) which softens and hydrates hair while reducing breakage. He explains that the mask will moisturize your scalp, which is important to keep in mind when choosing any hair coloring service.
No matter what shade you choose, summer can be hard on your hair color. This is especially true if you’re spending a lot time in the sun or at the pool. Matt Rez, a celebrity colorist, “highly recommends” leaving in a bonding treatment while you soak up the sun. His favorite is Epres Bond Treatment ($75), a spray formula that strengthens hair within 10 minutes. Cunningham loves Redken’s Acidic Colour Gloss Activated Gloss treatment ($38), which is an at-home product that keeps your hair color looking shiny in between salon visits.
Here, experts reveal the most popular summer hair color trends for 2024.
Classic Blonde Highlights
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There’s a good reason why classic blonde highlights are always a part of a colorists arsenal. Cunningham says, “I have been providing beautiful blondes for my clients for more than two decades, and I hear every summer, ‘Tracey I’m thinking about highlights… and lots of them’. Cunningham says, “We can’t avoid great blondes everywhere.” This summer, Cunningham suggests weaving in a dreamy and creamy tone, like Carey Mulligan. Add ice to your blonde hair for a bolder look.
Golden Brown
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Washington created this warm golden brunette for Grammy-winning singer Victoria Monet. Washington says that this color can be used to mimic the “just out of sun” look many people achieve in the summer months. Washington says that golden highlights in hair can enhance a sun-kissed complexion, giving it a youthful, vibrant appearance.
Warm Honey Blonde
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Honey blonde is the shade of choice for summer 2024. It replaces the lighter, brighter blondes from summer 2023. Rita Hazan, celebrity colorist, explains that it’s a playful and fun version of the Barbie blonde last summer. It’s still a bright colour for summer. Hazan says that this summer, it’s all about honey-golden hues. Forget cool tones. She cites celebrities like Beyonce and Thalia for inspiration. Ask for highlights all over, base and highlights or a high-lift color in one process, depending on the base color.
Frozen Butter Blonde
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Match your butter yellow nail polish with the hair color of your choice. Rez says that frozen butter blonde, as its name suggests, is a baby-blonde shade which works well for a highlight color to add “tonal depth”. The neutral base is maintained through the lengths, allowing the buttery highlights to stand out. A golden mid-light is used to connect the two colors and give the look warmth and movement without overwhelming the lighter bits. This color is perfect for adding a dark shadow and bright, face framing highlights. It’s also low maintenance, so you don’t need to touch it up every week.
Pretty Pastels
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You want something a little more exotic than brunette and blonde? Cynthia Alvarez, celebrity hairstylist, suggests pastel shades. She says that it’s no surprise to see pastels back on trend. Alvarez suggests Biolage’s Bond Therapy Collection to repair damaged hair because pastel hair requires a bleaching process. It helps seal the cuticle, reducing split ends and breaking resulting in a stunning color.
“Seven Minutes in the Sun Brunette
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You can achieve a beachy glow without going all-out blonde by adding blonde highlights to your hair or using balayage. Ask your colorist where the sun will naturally shine, such as your top layers or in front of you.
Cool Chocolate
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Cool chocolate is good for summer, but hot chocolate is best for winter. Britt Dion is the artistic director for Aveda North America and recommends that you infuse your brunette base this summer with cooler tones. Ask your colorist to use “soft, dimensional, cool brown tones” in the chair. Perry also agrees, her favorite summer shade is “sultry, dark chocolate”, like Camila’s signature shade.
Manuka Honey Bronde
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Bronde is an amazing color. It’s perfect for those who don’t want the maintenance of a blonde, but still feel light and bright. Rez’s rich, dimensional version of bronde is called “manuka” honey. It was inspired by golden honey. Rez says that the manuka element adds depth to the look, while the golden-blonde element gives it a pop of brightness. Rez recommends that you ask your colorist to choose “a warm bronze with honey blonde ribbons and a rich brown base.”
Au naturel
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When was the last you re-visited your natural hair colour? Sunnie Brook, celebrity hairstylist, believes it’s time. She says, “There’s nothing more chic and timeless than a statement cut and hair color that brings you back to your roots.” You can go back to your roots by starting the growing-out process, or showing your stylist a picture of yourself as a child, and then transitioning back to this shade or something similar. Brook suggests Biolage’s Bond Therapy Conditioner ($28), which will “rebuild your hair from the inside” and give you the luxurious shine and richness of natural hair.
Punchy red
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Red tones in vibrant shades from cherry cola through to siren crimson will make your skin pop. Perry says, “It isn’t subtle at all but it is still very sexy.” Dua Lipa’s signature deep, ’90s-inspired color is a great example. Dion says a “deep dark brown with violet undertones” is as refreshing as a glass of Cherry Coke in the heat. If you’re looking to stand out this summer, this dramatic red will not be a color that you’ll want to wear as a wallflower.
