With the weather starting to break, the excitement of summer is growing daily. Right now, you’re probably planning your vacation and mapping out your PTO, but it’s also the perfect time to nail down your seasonal beauty look. Fortunately, the best summer hair colors have lots to bring to the table. This season’s shades include classic colors like blonde, brunette and red, but have an interesting twist. They’re not overly bright or too dark and instead feature golden elements that speak to summer’s glowy nature. “People are moving away from drastic changes right now and are embracing shades that enhance the color they already have,” says Chicago-based colorist Veronica Guzman. In that vein, the 2025 summer hair color trends are truly unique. From gold and caramel tones to sunset shades, finding a new hue to lean into this season has never been easier.
Featured experts
- Min Kim is a colorist and L’Oréal Professionnel global ambassador
- Temur is a stylist and the owner of TEMUR salon
- Veronica Guzman is a Chicago-based colorist
- Monique McMahon is the founder of Que Colour and a pro-ambassador for Christophe Robin
Summer hair color trends for 2025
The Best Summer Hair Colors to Try in 2025
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Buttercream blonde
Buttery shades are one of the season’s top trends from nails to hair. According to colorist Min Kim, a creamy blonde hue is also trending for summer. More of a softer blonde, she notes that it relies on neutral-to-warm tones to give it a reflective glow. Achieving the perfect blend requires a skillful technique. “Ask for a soft balayage or global blonde with neutral-to-warm toning and a custom gloss using DIA Light to help maintain the color's shine and tone.”
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Golden blonde
"This blonde has more of a honey base and butterscotch hue with brighter tones woven throughout it," says stylists and salon owner Temur. It effortlessly blends tones to create a rich and vibrant shade. To get the look, colorist Monique McMahon says it's best to ask for warmth without brassiness which should translate to less bleach. "This will give you a healthy-looking color that's not too yellow or brassy," she adds.
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Hazelnut chocolate
According to Guzman, subtle and natural colors, such as this hazelnut hue, will flourish this summer. “The placement is super fine and minimal compared to the bold, high-contrast color we’ve seen lately.” The beauty of a brunette shade lies in its dimensional tones. “Lifting to the right level is crucial for achieving a color that enhances the nuances of the shade while cutting down on its upkeep,” she adds.
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Sunset copper
Copper is back this season and has never been more alluring. This sunset shade is a vibrant version that embraces the rich, warm tones of summer. While it is a bold shade, it can work well with most complexions. As Kim mentions, it’s all about finding the balance between the color’s undertones and your skin tone. “A warm all-over copper with slightly pink or peach undertones is a good starting point, but be sure to check with your stylist to find the best match.”
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Strawberry blonde
“Creating strawberry blonde is all about blending golden blonde and light red shades into a custom shade that suits the client’s skin tone and natural coloring,” says Temur. The result should be natural but also suit the individual. Maintaining red hair can be difficult, but he says prioritizing color-protecting products, like Christophe Robin’s Color Shield Regimen, and minimizing washes will ensure the color stays brighter for longer.
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Chestnut chocolate
This brunette shade is uplifted with warm golden tones that give it a summery feel. “Think glowy and glossy with hints of chestnut simmering through the brown base,” says McMahon. While its roots lie with the deep brunette hue, the toasty shade is meant to be velvety and rich. In that vein, she recommends emphasizing the brightened tones and asking your colorist not to go too dark and deep.
