Low-maintenance hair colors are setting the trend for summer 2026—here are 5 popular shades to discuss with your stylist.

      Ahh, summer. The time of sun-kissed hair, vintage Pucci dresses, outdoor Aperol spritzes, and, if you're fortunate, a European vacation with your closest friends. The eagerly awaited arrival of summer prompts complete seasonal transformations from head to toe, but if you haven't scheduled your summer hair appointment yet, don’t worry—there are plenty of hairstyles, cuts, and colors still coming into play as warm weather sets into our weekly forecasts. However, the aspect I'm most excited to share is hair color trends. According to pro stylists favored by celebrities, the hottest shades this summer are less about passing trends and more focused on enhancing natural hues.

      "We're shifting away from hairstyles that appear overly styled and moving towards looks that feel more effortless and personal," says celebrity hairstylist Marc Ballance. As fashion influencers gradually distance themselves from heavy trends of previous years, many are turning inward to discover shades that align not only with their lifestyles but also with their authentic sense of style—not just what TikTok suggests during their latest scrolling sessions. "The prevalent theme is low-maintenance luxury," Ballance adds. "Clients desire beautiful colors that blend out beautifully and harmonize with their natural hair rather than opposing it." To delve deeper, we've highlighted five hues that are trending upwards as temperatures rise—from milky blonde tones to melted chocolate shades and sun-drenched strawberry colors. Continue scrolling for the complete overview.

      **Lived-In Blonde**

      With summer schedules filling up fast, there’s little time for salon touch-ups between outings with friends and family. If you typically dye your hair blonde year-round or prefer to lighten up during the summer, experts recommend a lived-in blonde with natural depth at the roots. "Clients still want brightness around the face but don't necessarily wish to be in the salon every six weeks," Ballance explains. For instance, take Bella Hadid's effortlessly melted blonde, showcased during her glamorous outings at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. "The aim is for the color to grow out beautifully while still looking polished months later," notes celebrity colorist Jess Gonzalez.

      **Maintaining Lived-In Blonde**

      "Before swimming, wet your hair with fresh water and apply a leave-in conditioner to reduce chlorine and salt absorption," Gonzalez advises.

      **Melted Chocolate Brown**

      This summer is all about shiny, soft dimension for brunettes. Consider Nina Dobrev's espresso hair and tousled fringe from a sunny trip to Miami. "Imagine glossy chocolate, caramel highlights, and soft lightness through the ends rather than stark contrasts," says Ballance. "Healthy-looking hair is becoming the statement." To achieve a "melted" brunette look, keep the surrounding color nearly uniform while integrating scattered highlights that are only a few shades lighter than your natural color. Gonzalez describes these brunette shades as staying within the same color family, creating depth and appealing shine. "It’s less about high contrast and more about achieving a seamless, softer color," she states. "It embodies polish, sophistication, and low maintenance." However, for maintaining the health of these darker shades, adding gloss is essential. "Treatments and glosses are gaining importance equal to the color service itself since healthy-looking hair is the ultimate luxury," she explains.

      **Maintaining Melted Chocolate Brown**

      Gonzalez’s top choice for salon treatments is Pravana's HydraGloss.

      An editor-favorite is DpHue's Gloss+ in Dark Brown, providing richer color and deeper shine for up to 10 washes.

      **Milk Tea Blonde**

      While most of the summer's trending shades celebrate the natural tone of your hair, this particular blonde exudes a freshly done look. Featured on models and influencers like Alex Consani and Ciara, milk tea blonde exists between warm and cool tones. Gonzalez describes this shade as a "soft, neutral beige-blonde with creamy taupe undertones," resulting in a "muted, velvety finish" that is just shy of icy or platinum blonde. "It offers blondes a softer, more luxurious appearance with less contrast," she explains. "It’s ideal for anyone wanting to brighten up for summer without fully committing to an ultra-bright blonde."

      **Maintaining Milk Tea Blonde**

      Gonzalez also recommends using a purple shampoo, such as Pravana's Perfect Blonde Purple Toning Shampoo, to prevent unwanted yellow or brassy tones. Just be cautious, as overuse can dull your color.

      Another suggestion includes Kérastase's Gloss Absolu Glaze Drops Anti-Frizz Hair Oil, which adds a sunlit touch to this gorgeous shade.

      **Sun-Washed Soft-Lights**

      This color trend, featuring subtle highlights as if your strands have been kissed by the sun, evokes images of lazy days exploring beach towns and sun-soaked adventures with friends and partners. Ballance identifies sunwashed highlights (or what I refer to as soft-lights) as the most significant summer trend. An example is Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson's (H