There are times in life when you’re down to keep up with bright blonde roots or ashy highlights, no matter how expensive or time-consuming it becomes. However, there are more often times when you're looking for more low-maintenance hair that gels perfectly with your lifestyle. We asked experts to share their favorite low-maintenance colors for when you want to add a little something luxe to your look without adding a ton of upkeep.
Featured experts
- Louise Rusk is a professional hairstylist
- Stephanie White is a color specialist
- Roman Kusayev is a celebrity hairstylist and colorist
- Taya Tkachuk is a professional hairstylist, colorist and educator
- Tyler Mascio is a color specialist
Low-maintenance hair tips
Low maintenance is often perceived as not having to do anything for long periods of time, when really to maintain the color, shine and vibrancy in the hair it is necessary to attend to, nurture, hydrate and tone the hair on a regular basis (four to eight weeks) regardless of the color, says professional hairstylist Louise Rusk. Finding a great colorist to help you achieve the look you want and make a plan for maintaining the color, vibrancy and shine is key, she adds. She adds that a heat protectant, like Jess & Lou Protect ($20), is also a must in the war against color fading.
"A toning appointment doesn’t take long and is not expensive but is worth it to protect your investment," says Rusk. She notes that you don’t always have to add highlights at these upkeep appointments, "but a color refresh toner is non-negotiable for color maintenance, even low maintenance." She recommends having a discussion with your colorist around the cost of color refreshes and how regularly you should have this treatment between lightening services so "you know what is expected in terms of cost and time to keep your hair looking gorgeous!"
Low-maintenance hair colors for blondes
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Honey bronde
Honey bronde
Celebrity hairstylist and colorist Roman Kusayev recommends a darker blonde for easier upkeep. Color specialist Stephanie White notes that honey bronde has a more natural, soft tone to it that can help keep your hair healthy by not having to color it as much. She adds that it “compliments a wide range of skin tones and makes you feel glowy.”
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Bright, effortless blonde
Bright, effortless blonde
“As the season shifts, many clients look to go lighter,” says professional hairstylist and educator Taya Tkachuk, and the bright, effortless blonde shade embraces that while enhancing natural beauty.
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Creamy blonde
Creamy blonde
Kusayev recommends a beige blonde for a natural, easy-to-maintain look. White calls this shade a creamy blonde with well-blended hues. Kusayev notes that rooted balayage can help soften root regrowth while keeping dimension with blonde shades like this.
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Soft, muted blonde
Soft, muted blonde
“I think warmer, softer tones will be popular, as they complement a variety of skin tones and create a more authentic, lived-in look,” says Tkachuk, who predicts that easy-to-maintain soft, muted blondes will have a moment this year.
Low-maintenance colors for brunettes
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Mocha mousse
Mocha mousse
This shade has been everywhere since it was dubbed Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2025, and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. “This shade is very earthy, moody, rich, yet neutral in tone,” says color specialist Tyler Mascio. He notes that while maintaining a neutral-toned brunette can be a little simpler than a high-maintenance color, it’s still imperative that you're using a hair regimen at home that locks in shine. “Oftentimes, colors of this nature can appear matte or flat over time. For at-home maintenance, I would recommend UNITE U LUXURY Shampoo ($46) and Conditioner ($52),” says Mascio. “The Hawaiian white honey hydrates and softens the hair, while crushed pearl powder adds nutrients to protect and shine.”
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Warm chocolate
Warm chocolate
Going with straightforward brunette shades in richer tones can be easy to upkeep through glossing treatments and occasional tint checkups. Kusayev recommends warm chocolate or mocha shades for brunettes looking for a low-maintenance color update. He notes that using a soft balayage technique for any highlights will ensure the shades blend well, which will make maintenance easier.
Low-maintenance colors for redheads
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Copper or strawberry blonde
Copper or strawberry blonde
Kusayev notes that natural copper or strawberry blonde with a well-blended root are often lower maintenance than more vibrant reds that tend to fade more quickly.
