Summer 2026's Top Hair Color Trends Include Bright Brunettes & Radiant Reds
Our take
The shift away from ubiquitous blonde highlights towards richer, deeper tones for Summer 2026 signals a fascinating evolution in beauty trends. For years, the seasonal expectation has been a move towards lighter, brighter shades, a visual echo of the sun-drenched season. Yet, this year’s projected rise of "bright brunettes" and "radiant reds" suggests a desire for something more nuanced, more grounded. It's a rejection of fleeting trends in favor of a more enduring, personality-driven approach to color. This aligns perfectly with the broader cultural movement towards quiet luxury and mindful consumption, wherein we see a move away from overt displays of wealth and status and towards investment in timeless, quality pieces—and, evidently, hair color. Consider, too, the continued relevance of [Classic Looks Never Go Out of Style—6 Chic Outfit Formulas for Summer 2026], which underscores this preference for established elegance over novelty. The hair color forecast mirrors a broader desire for sophistication and understated confidence.
The beauty industry has often been guilty of chasing seasonal fads, perpetuating a cycle of constant change. However, the forecast for 2026 indicates a growing consumer demand for longevity and individuality. We're seeing a similar sentiment reflected in other areas of fashion and beauty; the minimalist pedicure trend highlighted in [Like It or Not, This Is the Pedicure That Fashion People Will Be Wearing This Summer] exemplifies the shift towards understated elegance and a rejection of overly complicated or fleeting aesthetics. The emphasis on "bright" rather than light suggests a focus on enhancing existing tones, rather than radically altering them. Brunettes can expect to see their base color amplified with warm, glossy highlights, while reds will move towards vibrant, multi-dimensional shades. This approach feels inherently more flattering and sustainable – both for the hair's health and the wearer's self-image. It’s a subtle yet significant departure from the traditional summer hair color playbook, a move towards a more considered and personalized aesthetic. It echoes the ease and effortless style championed in [5 Chic Summer Blouse Trends That You Can Shop at H&M, Zara and M&S Right Now], where the focus is on versatile pieces that seamlessly integrate into a wardrobe, rather than chasing the latest micro-trend.
This isn’t simply about color; it’s about a broader shift in perspective within the beauty landscape. The emphasis on inner confidence and self-connection, themes I consistently explore, resonate profoundly with this trend. A vibrant red or a luminous brunette shade isn't a superficial alteration but a form of self-expression, a way to communicate individuality and personal style. It’s about embracing what feels authentic and empowering, rather than conforming to external pressures. The move away from the expected blonde also speaks to a growing inclusivity within the beauty industry. For so long, blonde has been presented as the ideal, leaving many feeling marginalized or pressured to achieve an unattainable standard. This shift acknowledges the beauty and vibrancy of darker hair tones, celebrating diversity and individuality. It’s a rejection of a singular, narrow definition of beauty, and an embrace of the spectrum of human expression.
Looking ahead, it will be fascinating to observe how this trend evolves beyond Summer 2026. Will the preference for richer, deeper tones persist throughout the year, or is it a fleeting seasonal phenomenon? More importantly, will the beauty industry continue to prioritize longevity and individuality over fleeting trends, or will the pressure to constantly reinvent itself prove too strong? It feels as though we’re at a pivotal moment, where consumers are demanding more authenticity and substance from the brands they support. The beauty landscape is poised for a significant transformation, and the hair color trends of 2026 may very well be a harbinger of even more profound changes to come—a testament to the quiet power of self-assured style.
If you frequently read summer hair color trend stories, 1. We beauty writers appreciate it, and 2. Whenever you click on one, you likely expect to see fifty shades of blonde. Going flaxen for the season is a bit of a cliche, but it does make sense; sunny hair for the sunniest season. But for summer 2026, things are going to be a tiny bit different. While there are certainly shades of blonde trending this year, lighter isn’t necessarily the name of the game — brighter is.
This season’s hottest hair color trends all have one thing in common: A golden glow, even if they aren’t actually golden. There’s “sunkissed brunette,” a dark brown woven with gold to create a reflective hue that shines in the sun, and “red cinnamon,” a more multi-dimensional approach to ginger than the super saturated wine reds and coppers of seasons past. And there are, of course, shades of blonde; specifically, neutral and warm colors, including “cashmere blonde” and “strawberry golden.”
Also on the list this season? “Pink lychee,” a pretty pastel that speaks to another trend of the season, and perhaps the year overall: Doing whatever you feel like. As Jacob Habib Khan, a professional hairstylist, hair educator, and L’Oréal Professionnel global creative contributor, puts it: “Summer 2026 is less about following a single color direction and more about embracing transformation in whatever form feels authentic to the individual.”
Scroll on to learn more about five of the hottest hair color trends of the season, straight from the experts.
Sunkissed Brunette
“Sunkissed brunette” is “a true, deep chocolate brown mixed with hints of gold for a warm, dimensional, ‘been in the sun’ effect,” says Shvonne Perkins, a master colorist with Madison Reed; she cites Off Campus’ Allie (played by Mika Abdalla) as an example. This gilded hue will work for “any brunettes who struggle with shine and reflectivity,” meaning if you prefer your browns on the more muted side, this one might not be for you. “Remember: Warmth is what reflects light in the hair,” she explains. “Color that has a bit of gold to it always appears more reflective than full ash shades.”
At the salon, “ask for gold-forward browns; it's also best to mention keeping any existing lightness on the ends,” she says. “Your colorist can formulate a deeper shade for the crown and lighter for the mids and ends, in the same golden tones, if you want to keep that dimensional look while shifting into this color.” At home, you can achieve this color with Madison Reed’s Radiant Cream Color Kit in Tuscany Brown (6NGV).
Red Cinnamon
For any brunettes looking to make a major change without going blonde, consider “red cinnamon,” which is “a rich, vibrant copper-red that feels like an amplified version of a natural redhead,” says Habib Khan. Think of this one as an “all the above” approach to the fiery hue: “It combines warm cinnamon, copper, and amber tones to create a multidimensional shade that feels bold, yet wearable.” It’s especially ideal for folks with neutral or warm undertones, and, as mentioned up top, “works beautifully on natural brunettes, especially levels 5–7,” says Habib Khan.
At the salon, “ask your colorist for a dimensional copper-red or cinnamon-red formula with depth at the root and reflective warmth throughout the mid-lengths and ends,” he says. “Bringing reference imagery is always helpful, and your stylist can customize the intensity based on your skin tone, lifestyle, and maintenance goals.” And speaking of maintenance goals: Note that any way you slice it, this one will likely require a great deal of upkeep. “Clients seeking an ultra-low-maintenance color should be aware that red tones require regular refreshing to maintain vibrancy,” he notes.
Strawberry Golden
Situated between blonde and red (albeit quite a bit closer to the blonde end of the spectrum), there’s “strawberry golden,” which, as the name suggests, is an especially glowy and natural-looking shade of strawberry blonde. A new take on the copper trend that’s dominated the first half of the 2020s, this hue offers “a more relaxed, lived-in approach, which suits the more ‘maintenance can wait’ mindset of the summer months,” says Perkins. “The fade is intentional and creates summer softness.”
While this color really pops against those with peachy undertones, “because this sits in the blonde category and the redness is subtle, it doesn’t demand a certain skin tone to work,” says Perkins. “This is surprisingly universally flattering and fun across the spectrum.” The key to nailing this highly complementary color? Heading into the salon with a mission: “Be clear the goal is a mostly golden, deep blonde flavored with copper,” Perkins emphasizes. “ What makes this shade special is that it's not just red, so be sure to speak to the desire not to go full ‘cowboy copper.’”
Blinged-Out Blondes
The words to describe this summer’s go-to shades of blonde could come right out of an episode of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous: “Pearl,” “champagne,” and “cashmere.” What unites them all is high shine. “Think creamy, with a very fluid dimension,” says Kylee Heath, a celebrity hairstylist and Schwarzkopf brand ambassador.
“The ‘champagne blonde’ is luxurious and neutral, so not too warm and not too cool, making it suitable for most,” says Heath. You can ask your colorist to tailor your undertone to your preference; “I personally love a little lean into the golden undertones, especially for summer,” says Heath.
Meanwhile, ‘cashmere blonde’ provides “a luminous, sun-kissed look without harsh lines or brassiness,” along with “maximum brightness,” says Wendy Burns, Henkel stylist for Schwarzkopf Keratin Color. This radiance makes it “the perfect shade to show off a summer skin glow.” This hue works across a wide range of skin tones — Burns says it's a solid pick for neutral and cool undertones within pretty much any skin color — and is a good option for blonde, brunette, or red base shades; that said, if you have dark hair and don’t want to fuss with a lot of upkeep, you might want to skip. “A line of demarcation will show quickly with regrowth,” she explains. “Also, if you swim regularly, this may not be the shade for you, since salt and chlorine are tough on blonde hair.”
Since these trends are so shine-forward, at-home maintenance is crucial. Along with using color-preserving shampoos and conditioners, “make sure you're giving your locks plenty of nourishment when detangling and heat styling,” says Heath. “I love the Keratime by Schwarzkopf Deep Repair Detangling Treatment, and finishing my style with the Hair Bonding Oil.”
Pink Lychee
A pastel pink with radiant blonde undertones, “‘pink lychee’ is a playful, fashion-forward shade,” says Habib Khan, adding that this soft but statement-making shade can look delicate, ethereal, bold, or graphic, depending on how you place it. “We’re seeing a significant resurgence of self-expressive color, with clients moving beyond traditional blondes and brunettes in favor of more artistic, individual looks,” he says. “‘Pink lychee’ captures that spirit perfectly. Summer naturally invites experimentation, making it the ideal season to embrace a color that feels joyful, creative, and unapologetically unique.”
This shade will reach its full potential on lighter starting colors —“typically natural levels 7 and above” — and hair that has already been lightened. Though of course, the key attribute to pulling off a color like this is, well, owning it. “It’s ideal for clients who enjoy expressing their personality through beauty and aren’t afraid to stand out,” says Habib Khan. “It’s also a great option for those who like to change their look frequently, as pastel shades can be refreshed or evolved into new creative colors relatively easily.”
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