Grace Van Patten's Colorist Says This Summer-to-Fall Shade Gives Soft, Sunlit East Coast Vibes
Our take
The shift in hair color trends towards warmer, more nuanced tones like “Biscoff bronde” and “golden-hour brunette” speaks to a broader cultural desire for understated elegance. We’ve seen a move away from the aggressively bright and saturated aesthetics of recent years, a quiet rebellion against the constant demand for visual spectacle. This isn’t about chasing fleeting trends, but rather cultivating a timeless sense of style rooted in natural beauty and subtle enhancements. It’s a reflection of the “less is more” philosophy that permeates the current mood – a desire for authenticity and quiet confidence. Consider the growing appreciation for effortless style, as evidenced by our readers’ engagement with [My 60-Year-Old Mom Has Tried Dozens of Eyeliners—These Are the Only 10 She Likes for Mature Skin], where focus is on quality and suitability rather than dramatic effect. This shift in hair color, then, is simply another facet of that larger aesthetic evolution.
The rise of these “soft, sunlit East Coast vibes” hues – as described by Grace Van Patten’s colorist – aligns perfectly with the current longing for a sense of calm and grounding. The East Coast, in this context, represents a certain understated sophistication, a quiet strength rooted in history and tradition. These colors evoke a feeling of effortless beauty, as if the sun has simply kissed the hair just so. It’s a far cry from the high-maintenance, neon-bright colors that dominated social media feeds not long ago. This shift also resonates with the current focus on self-connection and inner confidence, themes that are central to our brand’s ethos. We see similar sentiment expressed in articles like [Derms Agree: These Under-$20 Bodywashes Are the Best for Treating Stubborn Body Acne], which emphasizes gentle, effective solutions over harsh, dramatic interventions – a parallel in the pursuit of well-being, both internal and external. It’s about nurturing, not transforming.
The significance of this trend extends beyond just hair color. It’s a microcosm of a larger movement towards embracing natural textures, celebrating imperfections, and prioritizing authenticity over manufactured perfection. This is a world where effortless chic reigns supreme, where confidence stems from embracing one’s unique beauty rather than conforming to unrealistic standards. It's a reflection of a generation seeking a deeper connection with themselves and the world around them, prioritizing experiences and mindful choices over fleeting possessions. It also subtly acknowledges the cyclical nature of fashion; what was once considered “natural” or “undone” is now being elevated and refined, becoming a conscious choice rather than a default. The conversation around stylistic choices, like the exploration of mini-dress pairings with pants or jeans, as seen in [What's the general opinion on mini dresses with pants or jeans?], further showcases this shift towards personalized and thoughtful combinations.
Ultimately, this movement towards softer, sunlit hair colors signifies a broader cultural reset. It’s a rejection of the relentless pursuit of visual noise and a return to a more grounded, authentic aesthetic. It’s about cultivating a timeless sense of style that reflects inner peace and quiet confidence. As we move further into the fall season, expect to see this trend continue to evolve, with further explorations of warm, earthy tones and subtle nuances. The question now is: how will this emphasis on understated beauty influence other areas of style, from clothing and accessories to makeup and overall lifestyle choices? Will we see a further embrace of natural materials, muted palettes, and a continued rejection of overt displays of wealth and status?
Summer is in full swing, and that means it's time for something fresh in the color department. While you can't go wrong with classic shades when trying something new, I have my eye on trendier shades this season, like "Biscoff bronde" and "golden-hour brunette" lately. They're so unique and warm. To add to this list, I noticed something magical when scrolling through my Instagram feed one day. Celebrity colorist Jacob Schwartz (whose clients include Bella Hadid, Margot Robbie, and Miley Cyrus) created a gorgeous shade for actress Grace Van Patten that's poised to be the perfect transitional hue for summer going into fall.
Schwartz created golden strawberry blonde for Van Patten, which is totally unique. It's vibrant and eye-catching and adds a freshness to an otherwise classic color. Luckily for us, Schwartz is generous and spilled the tea on exactly what he used to create this must-try color. He also shared the story behind its creation and his best tips for maintaining the look. For his full rundown, keep scrolling.
What is golden strawberry blonde?
Instead of leaning into copper or red tones, this color is warmer with a honeyed blonde overtone. It feels fresh. You can easily transition it from summer to fall, and it's a unique and beautiful take on strawberry blonde. Schwartz shared a little more on the story behind why he created this shade for Van Patten. "This transformation was created for Grace's role in an upcoming film," he said. While this look might have been tailored to Van Patten, Schwartz didn't want it to stop there. "My goal was to create a shade that felt authentic to the character while offering a modern, elevated interpretation of strawberry blonde that clients could realistically envision for themselves," he added. "The inspiration came from a soft, sunlit East Coast aesthetic with subtle Irish influences. I wanted the color to feel rich and nuanced, balancing delicate strawberry tones with warm gold so it never leaned too copper or too blonde. The result has a softness that feels timeless, understated, and incredibly luxurious."
Schwartz loves this shade because it demonstrates how personalized color can support storytelling. "Hair color plays such an important role in defining a character, but the best transformations never feel like costumes," he said. "They feel effortless, believable, and aspirational all at once."
How to Achieve the Golden Strawberry Blonde Look
A color like this is rich with lots of dimension. Schwartz says that creating it is all about layering rather than relying on a single formula. "I started by building a rich golden-honey foundation with Schwarzkopf Professional Igora Royal, which provided the perfect canvas for warmth while keeping the overall result soft and refined," he explained. Then, Schwartz added in a little something extra to give this shade more pizazz. "I used BlondMe Premium Lightener 9+ alongside Igora Vario Blond Super Plus to strategically place brighter pieces throughout the hair. Those carefully positioned highlights create natural movement and subtle contrast without overpowering the overall look," he said.
The final step, Schwartz said, was to customize the tone with Schwarzkopf Professional Igora Vibrance. "I layered soft golden, honey, and delicate strawberry hues to create depth and translucency," he said. "This is where the artistry really comes to life. Rather than creating one flat shade, you're layering multiple tones that work together to create a color that feels natural, nuanced, and beautifully dimensional. Igora Vibrance is one of my favorite products because it allows me to fine-tune every detail while leaving the hair looking incredibly radiant. It's formulated with vitamins B2 and B3, so beyond delivering rich, multidimensional color, it helps leave the hair looking healthy, glossy, and full of vibrancy."
There you have it! Schwartz was kind enough to share all his trade secrets. If you're looking to try out this shade, a Schwarzkopf colorist would be best so you can try this exact formula.
How to Maintain the Golden Strawberry Blonde Look
While a color like this is absolutely stunning, using the right products and treatments is absolutely key in keeping it vibrant. "The biggest mistake I see is that clients invest in beautiful professional color but don't prioritize maintaining it afterward," Schwartz warned. "Just like you wouldn't spend time creating glowing skin and skip SPF, professional color deserves the same level of care between appointments."
For a shade like golden strawberry blonde, Schwartz recommends going back to the salon every six to eight weeks for a quick Schwarzkopf Professional Igora Vibrance gloss. "The service can take as little as five minutes, but it refreshes the tone, revives the warmth, and restores that luminous finish without requiring another full color appointment," he explained. "Igora Vibrance is one of my favorite products because it allows me to customize color with incredible precision while keeping the hair looking healthy and vibrant. It's perfect for refreshing warmth, enhancing shine, and preserving all of the subtle tonal variation that makes a color like golden strawberry blonde feel so luxurious. It's often those small maintenance appointments that keep hair looking as beautiful months later as it did the day the client left the salon."
Aside from getting regular glosses, Schwartz recommends using salon-quality products at home designed specifically for color-treated hair. Another thing Schwartz says to avoid? Washing with extremely hot water. This will strip your color faster, making it appear dull. "Always protect your hair before heat styling," he continued. "I also encourage clients to incorporate a nourishing treatment into their weekly routine. The healthier the hair, the longer your color stays vibrant, reflective, and true to the original tone you left the salon with."
Below are some beauty-editor favorites for colorcare to try at home.
This acidic, pH-balanced shampoo-and-conditioner duo from Redken seals in color's vibrance while locking in shine.
Olaplex's cult-loved repair treatment is perfect for colored and bleached hair, reversing the dryness and damage often associated with regular coloring sessions.
This Kérastase leave-in spray for color-treated hair protects against heat damage, humidity, and excess frizz.
Wella's rich deep-conditioning mask offers a heavy dose of color-safe hydration without any extra weight, making it perfect for daily use if you need it.
K18's leave-in conditioner detangles, softens, and protects color-treated hair against heat damage. It's also designed to reduce hair breakage.
K18's shampoo and conditioner are so hydrating for the hair. They contain K18's proprietary peptide that reduces protein loss in color-treated hair while sealing damage sites in the hair cuticle.
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