Last updated: June 15, 2023

The Best Hair Color Trends of Summer 2023

Photo credit: Instagram via @chrisweberhair

The Biggest Hair Color Trends Of Summer 2023

Spoiler alert: we’ve entered our au naturel era. You can kiss defined money pieces and orange-based reds goodbye (for now) and get ready for barely-there highlights, glowing blondes and deep golden tones.

The natural-looking hair color space has EXPLODED on social media and your clients will be bringing in inspo pics like the ones we’ve lined up below. Scroll through our list of this summer’s top hair color trends for inspo and formulas for every client.

**Easiest way to keep up on every season’s trends? Become a member of BTC University, where class is always in session.**

1. Subtle Ombré

We never thought we’d write the word “ombré” past 2015—but here we are again. This time, the blended look has gotten a subtle makeover and we’re predicting it will be one of the biggest trends to hit 2023!

Subtle ombré is not a balayage, although will incorporate similar painting techniques with a heavy focus on tip outs.

Key tips to nail a subtle ombré:

No money piece or face-framing pops of blonde
Blend, blend, blend. Ombres should have absolutely zero line of demarcation or modern panel highlights
Stick within two to three Levels from root to end
Bring the root color down to at least your client’s cheekbone
Brightness (of any Level) should aim to start at your client’s nose or lipline

Photo credit: Instagram via @colorbymattrez

Photo credit: Instagram via @sydney_sweeney

Photo credit: Instagram via @ericmichaelhair

Photo credit: Instagram via @yogacolourist

Photo credit: Instagram via @weezydidit

Photo credit: Instagram via @franckhair

Photo credit: Instagram via @jennaperryhair

Photo credit: Instagram via @Isabelle_bomane

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2. Expensive & Natural-Looking Blonde

Natural, glowing, perfectly balanced—simply, the perfect blonde. The “expensive-looking” blonde trend has taken over IG and TikTok (thank you, Barbie®).

Every blonde client—even those die-hard “full head foils,” will be moving to a natural-looking blonde this summer. The key to achieving this sun-kissed look is balancing the right amount of warmth while keeping a bright sparkle in the hair. Notice how there are no visible highlight lines, paneled-out blonde or money piece framing. The natural look is IN, here’s inspo to create your own…

Formulas to get you started:

Natural, all-over blonde from Australian evo artist @bel_pipsqueekinsaigon
BRIGHT, shimmering blonde from Moroccanoil® Ambassador @rachelwstylist
SNL Star Chloe Fineman’s Blonde Transformation from celebrity colorist @jacobschwartzhair using Redken Shades EQ
Hilary Duff’s iconic blonde formula step-by-step from celeb stylist @nikkilee901

Photo credit: Instagram via @nataliemckellhair

Photo credit: Instagram via @hair.by.suzi

Photo credit: Instagram via @dailiperez

Photo credit: Instagram via @kourtneykardash

Photo credit: Instagram via @romeufelipe

Photo credit: Instagram via @cesar4styles

Photo credit: Instagram via @sarabotsfordhair

Photo credit: Instagram via @romeufelipe

Photo credit: Instagram via @kirstyannehair by @jaye_edwards

3. Warm Brunette + Barely There Highlights

GLOWING brunettes are trending big time! To add barely-there dimension that glistens on dark tones, you’ll need a warm formula to fake the all-over sparkle.

The key to these natural-looking brunettes is all about the Levels. Notice how this trend is staying away from super low-level color and playing in between the mid-toned brunette hues. “This summer’s trends are all about staying within a couple of Levels,” says TRUSS Professional Educator Mickey Colon (@mickeycolonjr). “For example, if you’re a Level 7 you only want to add up or down to a Level 5 or 9.”

Pro Tip: Easily customize this gorgeous request with babylights, ultra-blended money pieces or all-over highlights that soft shift to the base tone.

Photo credit: Instagram via @danielmbeauty

Psst—try Daniel’s highlight gloss formula: Redken Shades EQ 07nb + 08c + 04nw

Photo credit: Instagram via @weezydidit

Photo credit: Instagram via @yukistylist

Photo credit: Instagram via @romeufelipe

Photo credit: Instagram via @peterluxhair

Photo credit: Instagram via @haileesteinfeld

BTC Team Member Oana Ciofu (@hair_by_oana) using Moroccanoil® Blonde Voyage Clay Lightener to quickly lift these brunette highlights:

Photo credit: Instagram via @hair_by_oana

Photo credit: @kirstyannehair & _bymadi

The summer ’23 blueprint? This trending cut + color we’re OBSESSED with by @romeufelipe:

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A post shared by ROMEU FELIPE (@romeufelipe)

4. Natural-Looking Redheads

With copper being a huge trend in 2023, it’s not surprising that we’re taking a more natural spin for the summer. This season’s hottest hair color is going to be creating reds that make people think, “Wait, is that their natural color?”

Orangey-peach undertones will be dialed back and replaced with neutral and brunette shades to mute out the red vibrance. Here’s a list of formulas from our pros to get you started:

Step-by-step Chocolate Copper formula by @anderrateliehair
Modern Auburn for any client by @_hairbypaula
15-Minute Copper Refresh formula from @styled_by_carolynn using Moroccanoil®
Copper curl formula for definition and dimension from @sabrinathehairwitch

Photo credit: Instagram via @chrisweberhair & @hairby_chrissy

Photo credit: Instagram via @iamzoefoster

Photo credit: Instagram via @doydly

Photo credit: Instagram via @ckaedingcolor

Photo credit: Instagram via @oliviaobrien

5. Hidden Color Blocking

This year’s big BANG in the trend space has been the revival of color blocking. Like most trends come the summertime, we’re seeing a softer and more subtle take on the contrasting look.

Hidden shades of diffused and bold colors have been spotted all over IG—primarily seen tucked underneath the crown and peeking out of fringe.

Photo credit: Instagram via @sabletoothtigre

Photo credit: Instagram via @eve.frsr

Photo credit: Instagram via @kirstyannehair

Photo credit: Instagram via @shawtysin_

Photo credit: Instagram via @hirohair

Photo credit: Instagram via @mileycyrus

Photo credit: Instagram via @bel_pipsqueekinsaigon

6. Deep Golden Blonde

Goldilocks has entered the chat. It’s been a minute since we’ve seen such a deep, rich-toned blonde outside of ribbons and balayage. Clients requested every tone of honey blonde last season and although that is still on our radar—deep gold will be taking over for the summer.

If you’re searching for your client’s perfect blonde, check out this lookbook of OVER 40 trending golden shades.