Now that the weather is (mostly) warming up, the search for the best summer hair colors is on. No matter what vibe you’re after, there are more options than ever if you want to go dark. Or light side or somewhere in the middle. This season’s on-trend shades are both demanding and low-maintenance. Some beauty enthusiasts choose to add warmth to dark tones with a candlelight brunette, while blondes lean into platinum, champagne and Playboy-or inspired.
“People are ready to go out, show off, and live their best life, and I see that with color,” says Tracey Cunningham, famed colorist and author of true colorsays hair trends this summer. “Some go super blonde, and others stick to a nice balayage or ombre that makes them look and feel their best.” She says a big trend in her salon has been for clients to become lighter and brighter. (It’s summer, after all.) “Highlights are back. Every time I’m in the salon, I see hair getting blonder, blonder, blonder, whether its natural tone is brunette, a redhead or a darker blonde.” On the other hand, the red, copper and strawberry undertones are still going strong, as are the amplified undertones of everything nature has given you.
Whatever your vibe, we’ve rounded up the coolest summer hair color ideas to try, from bold Technicolor to understated naturalness and everything in between. We’ve even added some DIY options, in case you haven’t returned to the salon yet. (Just be sure to read our guide on how to color your hair at home first.) Read on to discover 23 trending summer hair colors to try this season and get ready to book a date.
All products featured on Charm are independently selected by our editors. However, when you purchase something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.