Summer is when many people feel like lightening up, warming up or trying something playful with their colour. This roundup covers nine shades that suit the season, grouped roughly into three families. Blondes include a sunny honey blonde with face-framing highlights and a softer, creamier buttercream blonde. Brunettes get richer rather than lighter, with spiced Mexican chocolate, merlot-tinged cherry chocolate and a cool, near-black deep tobacco. The bolder end covers copper red, strawberry blonde, pastel lavender with darker roots and a fresh peach pastel.
Skin tone is a good starting point. Warm undertones tend to glow with honey, copper and strawberry shades, while cool undertones often suit buttercream, tobacco and lavender. Your natural base matters too: brunettes can add cherry or chocolate tones with little or no bleach, whereas pastels require hair lifted to a pale blonde first.
Remember that summer is tough on colour. Sun, chlorine and salt water fade reds and pastels quickly and can turn blondes brassy, so factor in aftercare when deciding how far to go.
1. Honey Blonde
Golden honey blonde with face-framing highlights creates an easy, beachy feel. Hair expert Janice Trinh points out that its sunny undertones suit many different skin tones, which makes it a natural pick for anyone who wants to go lighter without a dramatic change.
Inspiration: @capellibymegs
2. Buttercream Blonde
Soft, creamy and refined, a buttercream shade is a good option for a polished but low-key update. The shade balances sweetness with sophistication and looks especially smooth on a medium-length cut. A purple or gloss treatment keeps it from turning yellow.
Inspiration: @abbeyprestonhair_
3. Mexican Chocolate
Picture a rich brown laced with warm, spicy hints: that is the Mexican chocolate shade, and it adds plenty of depth and dimension. It gives brunette hair a sophisticated, glossy finish that looks indulgent in sunlight, and the spiced highlights catch the light without needing heavy bleaching.
Inspiration: @stephpicoshair
4. Cherry Chocolate
Rich chocolate brown meets merlot and violet undertones in cherry chocolate, a deep shade with a subtle red-purple glint. It suits brunettes who want to bring some colour into dark hair without lightening it significantly.
Inspiration: @thehairwaytoheaven
5. Deep Tobacco
Sitting just short of black, deep tobacco works by combining a dark brown base with a cool, ashy undertone. Hairstylist Meleesa Luna recommends mixing tobacco with mushroom browns to build dimension, so the colour looks layered rather than flat on straight hair.
Inspiration: @studiopaizcolors
6. Copper Red
Vivid and eye-catching, a copper shade is the hue for anyone who wants to stand out. Bright and bold, it makes a confident summer statement, and on waist-length hair the colour shows off every shift in tone. Expect to top it up often, as reds fade quickly in the sun.
Inspiration: @beautybyambersalinas
7. Strawberry Blonde
Blending blonde and red, a strawberry tone creates a soft, romantic shade. Sweet and summery, it suits people curious about red who are not ready for a fully fiery colour. It looks particularly rich on thick hair with natural movement.
Inspiration: @edwardjameshair
8. Lavender
Pastel lavender is gentle but distinctive, and darker roots make the grow-out softer. Worn sleek it reads as subtle, while waves make it look far bolder. Hair has to be lightened to a pale blonde first, and a lilac conditioner helps maintain it.
Inspiration: @kevinhairsalon
9. Peach Pastel
A pale peach tint brings a playful, fresh mood that is perfect for summer. The delicate tint flatters many complexions and pairs nicely with curtain bangs. It is a fun way to try something new, though pastels fade within weeks and need regular refreshing.
Inspiration: @valonzhaircutters
Protecting summer colour from sun, salt and chlorine
- Wet hair with fresh water and apply a leave-in conditioner before swimming; hair that is already saturated absorbs less chlorine or salt.
- Rinse straight after the pool or beach, and use a clarifying or swimmer’s shampoo once a week if you swim often.
- Wear a hat or use a hair product with UV filters on long days outdoors.
- Wash in cool water with a colour-safe, sulfate-free shampoo to slow fading.
Making pastels and reds last between appointments
Lavender, peach and copper are the quickest shades to fade. A colour-depositing conditioner or mask in a matching tone, used once a week, tops up the pigment at home. Pastels usually last between four and six weeks before they wash out to a pale blonde, so it helps to book a gloss or toner refresh around that point. For reds, avoid washing every day and use dry shampoo in between.