Velvet Blonde Hair Is Summer’s Most Effortless Hair Color

While platinum blonde has ruled summer hair colors in the past, velvet blonde hair is here to soften things up. This season, subtle blonde hair like honey bronde and velvet blonde are trending for their rich, multidimensional, and, most important, low-maintenance look.

Our favorite celebs are trading in their bold blondes for a more natural and refined take on the color. On June 8, Alex Cooper, the host of podcast Call Her Daddy, arrived at the New York City premiere of her new Hulu documentary Call Her Alex, making a major beauty statement with her new hair color. “We were going for something that felt elevated and intentional, but still very true to her,” says Jacob Schwartz, Schwarzkopf Professional US Hair Color Trend Ambassador based at Mèche Salon in Beverly Hills. “She’d been wearing a brighter blonde for a while, and this felt like the perfect moment to shift into something more dimensional and refined, but still high-impact.”

The softer shade leans more golden and beige with a neutral base, while still maintaining its glossiness and radiance. As we’ve been seeing celebs (and royals!) like Jennifer Aniston and Kate Middleton opt for easier-to-maintain darker bronde shades that grow out smoothly, velvet blonde totally taps into the current shift toward darker, more natural-looking blondes. It’s the ideal move for those who also want an easy-to-wear shade but still stay definitively blonde.

Ready to try the velvet blonde hair trend for yourself? Read on for everything you need to know about velvet blonde hair, including what it is, whether it’s low-maintenance, and how to get the look, and then keep scrolling to the end to see plenty of inspo pics to take to your next hair appointment.

What is velvet blonde hair?

Velvet blonde hair is “all about rich, dimensional blonde tones with a soft, luxurious finish,” says Schwartz. The trend is different from blondes of summers past: “It’s not your typical bright summer blonde,” he explains. “It’s deeper, more refined, and built from a custom blend of cool and warm tones.” The mix of both makes it versatile for any skin tone and won’t pull too warm or too cool. It’s reminiscent of ash blonde or ghost blonde. “Think creamy neutrals and golden beige ribbons layered into a smooth, luminous base,” he says. Yeah, you can sign us up ASAP.

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Clairol ColorStrong Zero Ammonia Permanent Hair Dye in Shade 7.1 Dark Ash Blonde

Why call it velvet, though? It’s inspired by texture. “Velvet really captures the depth and softness this color gives off, especially under light,” says Schwartz. “It has that plush, touchable quality. It’s glossy, elegant, and elevated, but still feels effortless and natural.” In other words, it has basically anything and everything you’d want in a hair color if you’re going for a lived-in, this-is-my-natural-shade look.

And Cooper isn’t the only celeb signing on to the velvet blonde hair color trend. Fellow It girls Lily-Rose Depp, Sydney Sweeney, and more are on board with the neutral, cooler-toned blonde as well.