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  4. 36 Fresh Hair Colors That'll Get You Excited for Summer 2022

36 Fresh Hair Colors That'll Get You Excited for Summer 2022

Kaitlyn Yarborough, Assistant Editor and Writer for Southern Living
By Kaitlyn Yarborough Updated May 19, 2022
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Golden Hour Blonde
Credit: @natalieannehair / Instagram

Something in the warm summer breeze always has us primed and ready to make a change. First thing's first: the hair. Nothing will update your look like a fresh, trendy hair color for summertime. We've got all the inspiration, starting with classic seasonal shades like sunset blonde and caramel-melted brunette and moving on to hot new hues like creamsicle bronde and strawberry brown.

Whether you're looking to cool down your strands with something frosted and icy or warm them up with all things spicy and golden, these summer hair colors are bound to have something that catches your eye. No matter your length or texture, you can make your favorite hair color all your own by bringing these inspiration shots to the salon and asking to tailor the color to fit your needs. 

Make use of those long days by snatching one of summer's best hair shades. Now where to start? Perhaps something sandy?

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Baby Stone Blonde

Baby Stone Blonde
Credit: @los_pastel / Instagram

Don't get us started on this bright blonde mane. Lowlights and highlights come together for a baby blonde worth making an appointment. 

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Sunlit Rouge

Sunlit Rouge
Credit: @colour.jade / Instagram

We guess it's time to become a redhead—because this summer-ready shade of red is so, so good. 

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Golden Caramel Melt

Golden Caramel Melt
Credit: @justinandersoncolor / Instagram

And the most envied brown hair color in all the land goes to...

Nothing says summer like adding bright caramel blonde to natural brunette strands.

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Frosted Wheat Blonde

Frosted Wheat Blonde
Credit: @justinandersoncolor / Instagram

Instead of going full-on sunset blonde, take things on the cooler side with an icy wheat blonde. 

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Sandy Bronde

Sandy Bronde
Credit: @los_pastel / Instagram

Say hello to one of the most wearable summer hair colors. A great option for most gals is a transition-friendly mix between blonde and brunette.

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Golden Hour Blonde

Golden Hour Blonde
Credit: @natalieannehair / Instagram

Golden hour just took on a whole other meaning than sitting on the porch with a crisp cocktail at sunset. Add a wash of sunlit gold to brown locks for a freshened-up look.

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Sun-Kissed Brunette

Sunkissed Brunette
Credit: @justinandersoncolor / Instagram

Ah, a classic. You can't go wrong with caramel-kissed touches on chocolate brown hair. It's just that simple. 

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Sunset Blonde

Sunset Blonde
Credit: @los_pastel / Instagram

Give your blonde a warm apricot finish to really lean into those five o'clock summer vibes. 

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Golden Brown Babylights

Golden Brown Babylights
Credit: @veronica_nunez / Instagram

Oh, baby—these babylights are taking us back to the 90s, in a good way. Let's bring back the skinny highlights, please. 

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Ginger Red

Ginger Spice
Credit: @natalieannehair / Instagram

Almost like a strawberry-toned caramel, this bright color is just the thing to give any style new life.

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Fiery Ginger Red

Pippi Longstocking Red

In our opinion, redheads and wannabes alike should feel fired up enough to dive right into bright ginger red this summer.

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Rosé Brunette

Rosé Brunette
Credit: @chrisjones_hair / Instagram

Take your favorite chilled summer cocktail straight to your strands. You won't regret a rosy-tinged brunette mane like this one by stylist Chris Jones. 

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Gold-Tinged Balayage

Brown Hair with Blonde Highlights
Credit: @natalieannehair / Instagram

Barely-there color can add dimension to an existing style. Ask for subtle balayage on the ends.

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Ruby Red

Asymmetrical Bob
Credit: @salsalhair / Instagram

Red can make a statement while also injecting warmth and brightness to the complexion.

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Creamsicle Bronde

Creamsicle Bronde
Credit: @justinandersoncolor / Instagram

We couldn't dream of a more low-key foray into blonde than this brown base with creamy balayage by stylist Leah Fitts. 

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Inky Brunette

Inky Brunette
Credit: @ashleyantoinebeauty / Instagram

Do you know what really makes sun-kissed skin and a bold red lip pop? Inky brown-black strands. Consider going on the dark side this season. 

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Cool Aubergine

Cool Aubergine
Credit: @leysahairandmakeup / Instagram

Maybe it's the warmer weather, but we like to think outside the box come summertime, if only for a few months. Try out this cool-toned aubergine red for a spell. 

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Chocolate Balayage

hair colors for women over 50
Credit: @chrisjones_hair / Instagram

Don't mess with a classic. Barely-there brown balayage lightens you up without bringing on the upkeep.

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Burnt Caramel Brown

Burnt Caramel Brown
Credit: @ninezeroone / Instagram

If you're a low-maintenance lady, ask for face-framing caramel to enhance brown hair without any upkeep.

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Strawberry Brown

Strawberry Brown
Credit: @justinandersoncolor / Instagram

You heard us right: Strawberry blonde isn't the only option. Brunettes can get in on the fun, too. 

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Toffee Babylights

Toffee Babylights
Credit: @natalieannehair / Instagram

Match your locks to the temperature outside with glittering babylights in a toffee caramel brown. 

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Tawny Brown

Tawny Brown
Credit: @veronica_nunez / Instagram

Add just a subtle touch of warmth to chestnut or chocolate brown hair for the easiest update you'll see all summer. 

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Sunny Butter Blonde

Sunny Butter Blonde
Credit: @nikkilee901 / Instagram

This hair color looks like it just spent a week on the beach with a margarita in its hand—and we can't say we're not jealous. 

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Cool-Toned Brown

Curly Shoulder Shag
Credit: @natalieannehair / Instagram

Visit the salon for regular gloss treatments to refresh your color for those who want to keep cool-toned strands all summer long.

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Caramel-Dipped Ends

Caramel-Dipped Ends
Credit: @salsalhair / Instagram

The name of this hair color by stylist Sarah Kim reminds us of a beloved summer treat: the dipped cone from Dairy Queen. We're here for it.

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Metallic Rose

Rosy Hues
Credit: @kimwasabi / Instagram

Rose gold has infiltrated the beauty world, and whether you're blonde or brunette, you can rock this rosy trend. The perfect amount of barely-there pink gives a rosy glow to the entire look.

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Buttery Platinum

Buttery Platinum
Credit: @leysahairandmakeup / Instagram

This stunning blonde created by hairstylist and curly hair expert Leysa Carrillo isn't quite so icy as some versions of platinum, and a subtle shadow root adds depth and dimension. The slightly warmer way to do platinum is perfect for sunny summer months.

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Caramel-Flecked Balayage

Baby Bangs
Credit: @mizzchoi / Instagram

Perfect for enhancing chocolate brown hair, caramel is a warm choice for summertime.

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No-Highlight Highlights

No-Highlight Highlights
Credit: @morganparks901 / Instagram

Do you know how everyone dreams of achieving the perfect no-makeup makeup look? Well that's what this is for hair color. To nail a "your hair color but better" look, you'll need an experienced stylist who can work with painting techniques and blend colors to recreate the way your natural color would react in the sun.

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Bright Copper

Fiery Copper
Credit: @suetyrrellstylist / Instagram

Go big or go home! If you're feeling the warm coppers of summer, why not go all out? If you're a natural redhead or strawberry-hued girl, the summer is the best time to amp up the warmth and shine. 

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Warm Babylights

Warm Babylights
Credit: @justinandersoncolor / Instagram

Summer is the perfect time for highlights because you can keep it up naturally by spending time in the sun. This look weaves several warm shades of highlights through a brunette base for a sun-kissed look that will last through every beach trip.

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Frosted Brunette

Frosted Brunette
Credit: @taunidawson / Instagram

Southern summers are unbearably hot. Cool off with frosty highlights on a cool-toned charcoal brunette. 

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Butter Pecan Brown

Butter Pecan
Credit: @styledbycarolyn / Instagram

This dreamy shade is the sweetest example of tone perfection. Stylist Carolyn Godina created this look that's almost a nude, almost a brown, but caught in a buttery in-between.

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Shadow Roots

Shadow Roots
Credit: @slim_color / Instagram

Shadow roots have been big on the scene for a while now, and they're not going anywhere soon. They look especially amazing when the shadow root matches your natural eyebrow color, which creates depth for your overall look.

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Honey Brown

Honey Brown
Credit: @styledbycarolyn / Instagram

This low-maintenance shade is perfect for brunettes who want to lighten up or dirty blondes who want to go closer to brunette. This bronde shade will be easy to keep up with when the summer sun does its job of naturally adding warmth. 

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Pearl Blonde

Pearl Blonde
Credit: @styledbycarolyn / Instagram

Not as white as bright blonde, not as warm as golden blonde—pearl blonde is a dreamy middle ground. This almost iridescent blonde will wow against a summer glow.

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By Kaitlyn Yarborough

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    1 of 36 Baby Stone Blonde
    2 of 36 Sunlit Rouge
    3 of 36 Golden Caramel Melt
    4 of 36 Frosted Wheat Blonde
    5 of 36 Sandy Bronde
    6 of 36 Golden Hour Blonde
    7 of 36 Sun-Kissed Brunette
    8 of 36 Sunset Blonde
    9 of 36 Golden Brown Babylights
    10 of 36 Ginger Red
    11 of 36 Fiery Ginger Red
    12 of 36 Rosé Brunette
    13 of 36 Gold-Tinged Balayage
    14 of 36 Ruby Red
    15 of 36 Creamsicle Bronde
    16 of 36 Inky Brunette
    17 of 36 Cool Aubergine
    18 of 36 Chocolate Balayage
    19 of 36 Burnt Caramel Brown
    20 of 36 Strawberry Brown
    21 of 36 Toffee Babylights
    22 of 36 Tawny Brown
    23 of 36 Sunny Butter Blonde
    24 of 36 Cool-Toned Brown
    25 of 36 Caramel-Dipped Ends
    26 of 36 Metallic Rose
    27 of 36 Buttery Platinum
    28 of 36 Caramel-Flecked Balayage
    29 of 36 No-Highlight Highlights
    30 of 36 Bright Copper
    31 of 36 Warm Babylights
    32 of 36 Frosted Brunette
    33 of 36 Butter Pecan Brown
    34 of 36 Shadow Roots
    35 of 36 Honey Brown
    36 of 36 Pearl Blonde

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    36 Fresh Hair Colors That'll Get You Excited for Summer 2022
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