Grace Van Patten's colorist mentions that this transition from summer to fall hue offers gentle, sun-drenched East Coast vibes.

      Summer is in full swing, making it the perfect time to explore new colors. While classic shades are always a safe choice, I've been drawn to trendier hues this season, such as "Biscoff bronde" and "golden-hour brunette." These shades are distinctive and warm. One day while scrolling through my Instagram feed, I stumbled upon something enchanting. Celebrity colorist Jacob Schwartz, known for working with stars like Bella Hadid, Margot Robbie, and Miley Cyrus, crafted a stunning color for actress Grace Van Patten that is ideal for transitioning from summer to fall. Schwartz developed what he calls golden strawberry blonde for Van Patten, a truly distinctive hue. It has a vibrant and attention-grabbing quality that breathes new life into a classic shade. Fortunately, Schwartz generously shared the details of how he created this must-try color, along with the story behind it and his top tips for maintaining the look.

      What is golden strawberry blonde? Rather than focusing on copper or red tones, this shade is warmer with a honeyed blonde undertone. It feels fresh and easily transitions from summer to fall, offering a unique and beautiful interpretation of strawberry blonde. Schwartz shared insights into the creation of this shade for Van Patten, saying, "This transformation was designed for Grace's upcoming film role." He added that while this look was made for Van Patten, he aimed to create a shade that felt genuine to the character yet offered a modern, elevated interpretation of strawberry blonde that clients could realistically envision themselves sporting. "The inspiration stemmed from a soft, sunlit East Coast vibe with subtle Irish influences. I wanted the color to feel rich and nuanced, balancing delicate strawberry undertones with warm gold, ensuring it never leaned too coppery or too blonde. The outcome is a softness that is timeless, understated, and incredibly luxurious." Schwartz appreciates this shade as it exemplifies how personalized color can enhance storytelling. "Hair color is crucial in defining a character, but the best transformations never seem like costumes," he remarked. "They feel effortless, credible, and aspirational all at once."

      How to Achieve the Golden Strawberry Blonde Look

      This rich color is packed with dimension. Schwartz emphasizes that creating it relies on layering rather than a single formula. "I started with a solid golden-honey base using Schwarzkopf Professional Igora Royal, setting the stage for warmth while maintaining softness and refinement," he explained. He then added an extra element to enhance the shade's appeal. "I used BlondMe Premium Lightener 9+ alongside Igora Vario Blond Super Plus to strategically add brighter highlights throughout the hair. These meticulously placed highlights create natural movement and subtle contrast, complementing the overall look without overwhelming it," he shared. The final step, according to Schwartz, was to customize the tone with Schwarzkopf Professional Igora Vibrance. "I layered soft golden, honey, and delicate strawberry tones to establish depth and translucency," he said. "This is where the artistry truly shines. Instead of producing one flat color, you're layering several tones that harmonize to create a natural, nuanced, and beautifully dimensional hue. Igora Vibrance is one of my favorite products because it allows me to refine every detail while making the hair look exceptionally radiant. It's infused with vitamins B2 and B3, ensuring that, in addition to delivering rich, multidimensional color, it also helps keep the hair healthy, glossy, and vibrant."

      There you have it! Schwartz generously shared all his expert tips. If you're eager to try this hue, it's best to consult a Schwarzkopf colorist to use this exact formula.

      How to Maintain the Golden Strawberry Blonde Look

      While this color is visually stunning, using the correct products and treatments is essential to keeping it vibrant. "The biggest mistake I observe is clients investing in beautiful professional color yet neglecting to maintain it afterward," Schwartz cautions. "Just as you wouldn't create luminous skin and then skip SPF, professional color deserves the same level of attention between appointments." For a shade like golden strawberry blonde, Schwartz recommends returning to the salon every six to eight weeks for a quick Schwarzkopf Professional Igora Vibrance gloss. "This service can take as little as five minutes; it refreshes the tone, revives the warmth, and restores that luminous finish without necessitating another full color appointment," he clarified. "Igora Vibrance is one of my favorite products because it enables me to customize the color with remarkable precision while keeping the hair looking healthy and vibrant. It's ideal for renewing warmth, enhancing shine, and maintaining the subtle tonal variations that make a color like golden strawberry blonde so luxurious. Often, those small maintenance appointments ensure the hair stays as beautiful months later as it did the day the client left the salon."

      In addition to regular glosses, Schwartz suggests using salon-quality products at home specifically designed for color-treated hair. He also advises avoiding extremely hot water when washing, as it can strip the color and make