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The New Natural

Trading a high-maintenance hue for a more low-key look doesn’t mean sacrificing one ounce of glamour. Case in point: dirty blonde, as seen on Gisele Bündchen, at the Met Gala of all places. “Most of my blonde clients are looking for something more natural and low maintenance so they can have more longevity with their hair color,” Lee says. Blending lowlights and highlights creates a long-lasting sun-kissed effect.

Rooted, Undone Blonde

Speaking of low maintenance, lean into sunshine hues while also embracing your dark roots for a look that looks polished and intentional, even when your highlighted strands grow out. “Natural shades that incorporate some of their natural hair colors, especially around the root, are great for those who are looking to immediately brighten up their appearance without having to commit to frequent salon visits,” Francis says.

Honey Blonde

Another popular blonde shade, according to Francis, leans into earthier golden and honey tones. It’s no question why the shade is such a popular request, as it tends to complement most skin tones, he says. Francis concurs, adding that honey is a nearly universally flattering shade of blonde that immediately brings drama and vibrance.

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Multidimensional Blonde

Why choose just one shade of blonde when you can give several hues a whirl? “My favorite shade of blonde to do appears multidimensional and emits a soft shimmer when touched by the sun,” Francis says. “I always take features of my client into account when mixing up their perfect blonde to ensure their skin appears radiant and their eye color is enhanced.”

Caramel Blonde

Warm caramel colors add a soft, buttery touch that packs quite a punch. The color especially compliments warm skin tones, brightening your overall look. According to Lee, “People with warmer skin tones will lean towards golden blonde and cooler skin tones will lean toward more icy tones. For darker skin tones, I go with more golden and caramel hues.”

Balayage Blonde

Not ready to fully commit to golden locks? “Balayage is a great start for someone who is looking to add some brighter blonde pops and dimension throughout their hair,” Lee says. “There isn’t a huge commitment level, and the grow-out is nice.” For a more modern look, go with subtle highlights evenly distributed throughout, rather than high-contrast strikes of light color. Sarah Jessica Parker is a great example, with her painted wisps of sun-kissed honey, which melt together to seamlessly transition into a gradient.

Sun-Soaked Coils

It’s tiiiiime to show Mariah Carey’s sun-glazed curls some love. The Queen of Christmas loves a wintertime moment, but her tight ringlets always bring a summertime touch via their creamy-blonde hue and flashes of white highlights.

Old Money Blonde

This is for the quiet luxury girlies: Old Money blonde just might be what you’re looking for if you have Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy all over your beauty inspiration Pinterest board. Shiny, expensive-looking hair truly transcends times, and Old Money blonde is basically a catch-all, as it looks luxurious without being high-maintenance.

Icy Platinum Blonde

Striking, bold, and full of personality, Francis predicts icy platinum blonde will continue to be popular. One thing is for sure: Kim Kardashian will one way or another find herself back at the pale shade. “Icy platinum and ash are great shades that border on experimental with the infusion of gray tones,” he explains. “I love platinum blonde on dark skin tones as I think it creates the most stunning contrast. But for those apprehensive of going that light, mushroom blonde is a great shade that is flattering to dark skin tones while still brightening up the overall appearance.”

Strawberry Blonde

Take your blonde slightly rosy! A touch of strawberry adds instant intrigue for complex, lightened hair that’s more playful and dramatic, while still being everyday wearable.

Ash Blonde

Want a cooler blonde but not quite ready to go full Nordic ice queen? Tone down the drama by combining a flash of darker roots that fade into a frosty, ashy color to test the waters. It’s simple yet high glamour with a platinum shine.

Bronde

So, do blondes or brunettes have more fun? What about both? To infuse a range of blonde shades into the hair without a full process, go bronde. “I see this request a lot with brunettes who would like to add blonde to their hair without touching their root color,” Francis says. The result? A natural look that has all the brightness of a lighter blonde with a darker base, allowing for a graceful grow-out. “Another great option here is to add blonde only around the face, leaving the remaining hair its natural color. This look can give the illusion of being blonde without having to dye the whole head,” Francis adds.

Golden Blonde

Bring on the sunshine, Goldie Locks. It doesn’t get more classic blonde than a full-on yellow hue. From Gwyneth Paltrow to Jennifer Lawrence, brilliant strands immediately brighten the face.

Vanilla Latte Blonde

No, not the Starbucks drink, but rather sun-glazed hair that oozes rich mom energy. Tate McRae’s wears these buttery-blonde highlights on her chestnut-colored locks beautifully, giving way to a refined yet low-maintenance glamorous ‘do.

Reverse Ombre Waves

Talk about dimension! Mermaid princess Shakira loves to spotlight her natural waves, and this warm golden color will have you wanting to book your next tropical vacation. Her stark, light-capturing strands up top seamlessly blend into darker ends and under pieces.

Almond Milk Blonde

Softness can indeed still make a statement, and you can thank Lindsay Lohan for the proof. In 2025, Lohan traded ginger for gold, but with a cooler edge, going for a dimensional glossy blonde that has been dubbed “almond milk” by her colorist Dimitris Giannetos. It beautifully balances being creamy, fresh, and quietly glamorous.

Bronzy Blonde

Don’t be afraid of copper or brassy tones. When done correctly, like Dove Cameron’s all-over bronzy hue, it gives way to a wearable, fall-leaning look that still packs brightness.

Sandy Blonde

Jennifer Aniston knows good hair (the world has haircuts named after her beloved Rachel Green, after all), and she is basically the blueprint for sandy blonde locks. Her bright strands, peppered with her natural brunette tresses, create the illusion of full blonde hair without the all-over commitment.

Butter Blonde

The butter yellow fashion trend has met its hair match in the form of butter blonde. This shade is all about softness; creamy, pale tones create a gentle, approachable lightness without being blinding.

Champagne Blonde

Someone pop the bubbly, because this blonde is worth celebrating. Champagne locks combine both warm and pale hues for dimensional color that catches light all over, creating movement throughout.

Blue Blonde

This list had to end with lots of drama. While your strands are bleached and basically a blank canvas, you might as well have some fun with lively colors. “I anticipate seeing an increase of pops of color—especially shades of blue and purple—woven into a blonde base to add a touch of interest without committing to a whole head of one striking shade,” Francis says. “Due to color fade, it requires more maintenance to touch up the color,” he notes. So, go ahead and have your 2019 Golden Globes Gaga moment, or take the King Kylie look for a spin.