14 Hair Color Trends You’re Going To See Everywhere This Summer

It may have started in the spring, but copper is definitely here to stay this season. “Copper has become the unexpected celebrity trend for summer 2022,” Papanikolas says. “From Kendall Jenner to Sydney Sweeney, celebrities have made the plunge into the trend.” But will it keep its momentum? According to Brownswell, the answer is yes — in fact, she’s seeing it increase in popularity. “People are playing with different shades of copper, too,” she adds. So if you’re still on the fence about this fiery hue, now’s the time to ask your colorist for the right variation for your skin tone.

According to Papanikolas, one-dimensional color will be replaced with high-contrast balayage this summer. “The updated version [of highlights] for 2022 uses a 4D technique where the highlights are focused in four main areas: teasing out the ends, bold ‘V’-shaped highlights, soft face-framing highlights, and delicate highlights through the crown,” he says.

Shvonne Perkins, education manager at Madison Reed, also cites multi-dimensional balayage as a major trend on the rise. “It’s a true summer staple that can be fully customized, and is a great way to add dimension where growth is less noticeable,” she says.

Brownswell says salons are also getting more requests for warmer colors — besides copper, think deep reds and auburns. “They have surged in popularity since Kendall Jenner, Phoebe Dynevor, Ashley Benson, and Barbie Ferreira all changed their color recently,” she says. Considering the copper trend, it’s only logical that another variation of the red tone would quickly follow suit.

“Red hair can work with most skin tones, but not every red works with every skin tone,” Papanikolas explains. “Golden and olive complexions look best with auburns, while fair skin looks best with copper and strawberry hues.” So while many celebs have opted for copper recently, stay tuned for an incoming auburn moment.

On the opposite side of the warm spectrum is cold-as-ice silver blonde, which is set to come back with a vengeance at the start of the summer. “Blonde is eternally popular, and loads of celebrities — like Gigi Hadid, Stella Maxwell, and FKA Twigs — have gone back to blonde,” Brownsell explains, adding that she is seeing a rise in icy, silvery shades. Further proof? Dua Lipa debuted an icy blonde ‘do at the Grammys.

Now that red is bigger than ever, offshoots like strawberry blonde and apricot ginger are rising in popularity, too. “We’re starting to see it everywhere from fashion week to red carpets,” Perkins says of strawberry blonde in particular. Brownsell, on the other hand, is seeing a surge in light gingers and hybrids of the two — think peach-meets-ginger. So keep an eye out for lots of pink-ish reds as temperatures rise.

And for the brunettes: “You’ll find all shades of brunette still on the rise, from light bronde to the deepest brown,” Perkins tells Bustle. But if there’s one specific shade that’s really taking off this season, it’s Hailey Bieber’s current hue. “Hailey Bieber really kicked this trend off because I’ve had so many lighter-haired clients asking for her color,” says Jaclyn Curti, colorist at Eva Scrivo Salon. “It’s definitely having a moment.”

Brownsell also points out that you’ll see an uptick in people sporting two-toned hair colors this season. “People love getting those in-your-face shades as face-framing bleach bits, or secret slices of color, because they’re great ways of experimenting without committing to a full head of bleach,” she tells Bustle. You may have recently seen Megan Thee Stallion’s multicolored ‘do, or recall Bella Hadid’s multiple takes on the trend.

Brownsell also predicts that acid tones — think neon reds, oranges, yellows, and greens — will be huge once the weather starts heating up. The trend started revealing itself on the Grammys red carpet, where celebs like Laverne Cox, Diplo, and Arlo Parks sported bold shades. “We’re already getting more requests for neon colors like lime, lemon, and orange,” says Brownsell.

Finally, ’90s blonde — also known as “mega blonde” or “Pamcore” blonde — is set to be the star of the summertime. “The unmissable shade can be seen on celebs like Nicola Peltz and Anya Taylor-Joy,” Papanikolas tells Bustle. But the summer 2022 version in particular is “extra bright,” he says. “It usually involves lifting the base color two to three shades, with the addition of tons of highlights.” Think: Pamela Anderson’s bright ’90s hue.

According to Olivia Casanova, IGK color partner and IGK Soho Salon colorist, the “mocha brown” shade, also known as chocolate brown or “expensive” brunette, is incredibly in vogue for the summer. “I haven’t stopped getting requests for this color, and I even have it myself,” she tells Bustle.

As for why it's so popular? Her take is that it’s universally flattering on every skin tone and hair type while requiring minimal maintenance.

Brownsell points to e-girl hairstyles as a major influence on upcoming summer hair color trends. “We’ve been getting more and more requests for out-there hair recently that speaks to the e-girl aesthetic,” she tells Bustle. “I think a key moment for the look was Bella Hadid’s bright orange money pieces back in early 2021. They’re popular and easy to do at home because you don’t have to bleach your entire head, plus they definitely give that e-girl vibe that everyone’s loving right now,” she says.

Another e-girl inspired look? Multicolored manes. Brownsell says that she believes people are more willing to experiment with their hair now post-lockdown. “I’ve noticed an uptick with salon requests, styling, and the looks our DIYers are creating at home — and there are a lot of bright, electric colors,” she tells Bustle.

Casanova also predicts a summer surge in “bronde,” aka the in-between hybrid of blonde and brunette, as it’s incredibly versatile without as much excessive upkeep as a full-on blonde. “This look is dimensional with some highlights or balayage, requiring a little bit more maintenance than the ‘mocha brown’ but not as much as being a bright blonde,” she explains. “It’s the perfect way for brunettes to dabble with the idea of going lighter without committing to anything they can’t handle.”

Finally, Brownsell points to the “peek-a-boo” look as an emerging trend, and it’s yet another option that allows you to play around with color without dyeing your whole head. All it takes is dyeing a slice of color in the underlayer of your hair, she says, quite like the look Miley Cyrus debuted in May.