This year’s summer hair colour trends are teaching us one very important lesson: less is not always more. While clean girl aesthetic, vanilla girls and minimalism all had their moment in the spotlight, 2024 is more about doing the most — and then some.
Don’t just be a brunette. Instead, be a mob wife brunette with rich, glossy undertones (a leopard-print Fran Drescher minidress is also encouraged). Copper may be soft and subtle, but spiced rum is its bolder, sassier sister who happens to be a lot more fun at a party. And instead of boring butter blonde, let the gold hues caramelise for a richer, more mature crème brûlée blonde. This summer, choose your colour and then find ways to turn it up to an 11.
To help inspire your most over-the-top summer yet, we asked the pros what colours they expect to see trending and exactly what to ask for to get the look.
Spiced rum
As spring turns to summer, we’re trading our bubbly mint juleps for something with more summery flavour — maybe a rum punch in a tall tiki glass. Of course, it’s not a tropical cocktail without a heavy pour of spiced rum. And while we’re at it, our hair could use a shot or two. “I love this colour because it’s so simple and elegant,” says colourist Kirsten Stuke, who predicts this warm coppery take on brunette will be all the rage this summer. Maintenance is easier for naturally darker hair, of course, while blondes and redheads may be running back to the salon every four to six weeks for root touch-ups.
Mob wife brunette
Like all things mob wife aesthetic, mob wife brunette is brunette, but extra. “It’s all about that rich, luxe look,” says colourist Dana Yurick, who notes that this chocolate hair with a deep amaretto shine would be a serious upgrade (that requires very little effort) for any brunette.
At your appointment, you can expect a soft foilyage (a dye job that involves foils and balayage) and some tone-on-tone highlights. The look can last about four to six months between touch-ups, so you can look rich without breaking the bank. Colourist Chase Kusero notes that the “vibrant shine” keeps it expensive-looking, so double down on deep conditioning masks or ask for a gloss at the salon.
Golden brunette
If Lady Godiva were galloping around town nude on a horse today, her hip-length hair would undoubtedly be this ethereal brunette with a golden caramel sheen. “This trend adds warmth and dimension to brunette, giving it a natural, summery glow,” says colourist Leysa Carrillo, who recommends asking for a warm brunette base with soft golden highlights throughout.
“This is best for someone with naturally dark hair who’s looking for an element of softness,” adds colourist Jessie Shumway. “Upkeep after the initial highlight is low maintenance. Just book a gloss when you want to enrich the tone.”
Charcoal brunette
Not quite black and too mysterious to be simply brunette, charcoal brunette is a sexy, cool-tone hue with ashen undertones. “It’s a great colour for summer because many brunettes skew red from sun exposure – this cool tone will help to cancel some of that out,” says colourist Lauren Mildice.
But be warned: If you have a light natural hair colour, stopping into the salon for touch-ups every four to six weeks will be nonnegotiable, she says, because your roots will be especially noticeable in contrast to the wickedly dark brunette.
Barely-there pastels
These barely-there pastels are the hair colour equivalent of a Ladurée macaron. These colours start with a white-platinum blonde base and take just a dash of colour: Pick your poison: lavender, baby pink, or mint. “I’d ask your stylist for a demi-permanent, translucent hue that will be easy to transition out of once you’re ready to return to your primary colour,” says colourist Philip Foresto, who notes that these colours are incredibly high maintenance, so a light touch is key.
Crème brûlée
Crème brûlée is last season’s butter blonde, but dirtied up a bit for a browned, warm tint. And if you think you’re spotting three or four blondes in one, you are. “It’s a multi-tonal blonde that uses shades of lemon, gold and bronze undertones painted throughout the hair,“ says colourist Diana Mildice. “Using multiple colours creates dimension and the illusion of thicker hair.”
Sandy blonde
“These shades of blonde have subtle, dimensional reflection,” says colourist Richy Kandasamy, who recommends asking for lived-in highlights mixed with different shades of brown. Bonus: It’s also quite a bit easier to maintain than the buttery Hollywood blondes of last season; dark roots just add to its dimension.
Microlights
If highlights are the head cheerleader in high school, then microlights are the charming French exchange student. The effect is subtle and quiet, but totally captivating. “It’s just a few soft amber flecks,” says Diana Mildice, who thinks these look especially beautiful on wavy or curly hair types.
Soft black
There’s Wednesday Addams black (no disrespect) and then there’s soft black: A touchable, velvety hue that just misses the darkest black on the spectrum. It’s sexy, but not too harsh. Mysterious, but not unapproachable. Dark, but not without charm. “If you want it to stay deep, request a single process,” says colourist Mariah Joseph. “If you want less commitment, request a gloss, since that naturally softens with each shampoo for a much easier grow out.”
Colour blocking
Think of colour blocking like your sun and moon zodiac signs. Putting every shade of your personality into your hair screams self-assurance. “It can be done with any variety of colours: blondes, reds, brunettes, or creative fashion colours. It’s extremely versatile and personal to you,” says Joseph.
“The look could be symmetrical or something asymmetrical. You and your stylist can really have fun coming up with a placement together,” she adds. But if large swathes of colour à la Billie Eilish and Hari Nef feel like too much, try a few high-contrast highlights “like light platinum blonde on dark or black hair,” says colourist Anthony Garcia, who adds that the result is very animé or manga.