August is the perfect time to switch up your signature hair colour, whether that's for a bright summer blonde shade or a subtly highlighted version of your natural hue. That's right, the season of your-hair-but-better blonde tones has returned, and with it comes a generous offering of statement summer hair colour trends to try right now. Whether you're a fan of a raw bleached finish (think 'it girl' buttery tints that look effortlessly cool) or a believable bronde that maximises that healthy post-gloss shine, there's a summer blonde shade for everyone in 2025 - it's just about finding the colour that works for you.

Here, blonde expert and colourist to the stars Harriet Muldoon breaks down her top five blonde hair colour trends to try this summer, including the golden celebrity reference photos you need and exactly what to ask for your stylist for.

summer blonde hair colours
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5 Summer Blonde Shades For An Effortlessly Sunkissed Summer Hair Update

1. Bronze Blonde

paris, france june 24: beyoncé knowles / beyonce wears a cowboy hat, a burgundy faux fur fluff coat on one shoulder, a blue denim shirt, during the louis vuitton menswear spring/summer 2026 show as part of paris fashion week on june 24, 2025 in paris, france. (photo by edward berthelot/getty images)
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The go-to blonde hues of Sydney Sweeney and Jennifer Lawrence may verge on bronde, yet they never compromise on that luminous golden tone.

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'We've seen this look evolve over the last few years, but it's officially here to stay,' says Muldoon. 'The base is taken to a rich, warm blonde tone, with the undertone lifted to allow a natural warmth to come through. Balayage highlights are worked through the midsections and ends to create contrast. The weaves are slightly thicker so they don’t get lost in the hair – you want these pieces to stand out!'

summer blonde hair colours
Emma McIntyre//Getty Images

2. Heritage Blonde

To capture the luxurious gilded tones of Sienna Miller and Margot Robbie, opt for this bright, dimensional tone that works perfectly with a natural blonde root.

'This look is all about working with the real you,' she says. 'It's about taking it back to your roots, still adding lighter pieces but layering them with your natural base. The highlights are skinny, light weaves, keeping them really soft.'

summer blonde hair colours
Pascal Le Segretain//Getty Images

3. Nostalgic Blonde

For fans of Sabrina Carpenter's bombshell gold tone, this captivating blonde hair colour is perfect. Need more references? Try Dakota Fanning, or even Pamela Anderson's latest hue.

'These girls are the highlight queens,' says Muldoon. 'Super blonde, super creamy highlights create a full-impact look, but instead of a scalp bleach, the highlight technique leaves it softer at the base. For this look, I would use a combination of weaves and slices in the highlight technique. It’s finished with a gloss of pearl, gold, and clear to give a creamy but not overtoned finish.'

summer blonde hair colours
Francois Durand//Getty Images

4. Tangerine Gold

While this daring shade may verge on copper, there's something quintessentially blonde about the vibe of Lindsey Lohan's latest update. If you're looking for a warmer colour but don't quite want to commit to auburn or strawberry blonde yet, try this transitional citrus-inspired toner.

'This look is all about copper meets blonde,' says Muldoon. 'This is where my two favourite tones collide. The combination of gold and copper gives this look a chic, subtle finish that could almost be mistaken for natural. The copper blonde is a great way to introduce clients to the copper family.'

summer blonde hair colours
Stuart C. Wilson//Getty Images

5. Butter Bleach

new york, new york may 05: rose attends superfine: tailoring black style, the 2025 costume institute benefit, at metropolitan museum of art on may 05, 2025 in new york city. (photo by taylor hill/getty images)
Taylor Hill//Getty Images

This vibrant blonde colour is definitely a bold choice, but for those wanting an edgier finish to their summer blonde shade, its grungy appeal is endless. If you're feeling extra playful, a temporary colour dip dye like Kristen Stewart's blushed tips is perfect for celebrating the bright sunnier months.

'This trend is the bleach girl with a modern twist. We’re seeing bleach girls wanting to be less toned for a more grunge effect. I love the pink panels worked through the ends to give the look softness, yet it still makes a strong statement.'

summer blonde hair colours
Pascal Le Segretain//Getty Images

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Katie Withington
Beauty Writer

Katie Withington (she/her) is the Beauty Writer, at ELLE UK and Harper’s Bazaar. Working alongside the ELLE UK Beauty Team, she covers all things beauty for both print and digital, from finding backstage make-up trends at London Fashion Week and investigating buzzy skincare ingredients, to unzipping the beauty bags of Hailey Bieber and Margot Robbie. Prior to joining ELLE UK in 2022, Katie studied (BA) Fashion Journalism at London College of Fashion and has previously contributed to Red, Good Housekeeping and Prima.