It’s been a great year for the blonde. amid a rekindled passion for Caroline Bessette Kennedy’s champagne-blonde thanks to fx love story and miley cyrus Hannah Montana-Theme Makeover For the Disney show’s 20th anniversary special, golden strands appear Modes du jour in 2026-Especially as summer approaches. But the fair complexion we’re seeing on our favorite It Girls these days is more nuanced than you might realize. According to experts, gone are the days of over-treating hair with icy, cool colors (and unfortunately, ruining the health of your hair). Today, professionals are seeing a trend toward more lived-in iterations. Enter Sunrise Blonde.
(Image credit: John Shearer/WireImage via Getty Images)
celebrity hair stylist Cesar Delion Ramirez She said her clients are abandoning more styled “platinum hair” in search of something hotter this summer. “They’re looking for that ‘expensive’, healthy-looking blonde hair,” he explains. “We’re talking softer, richer, more dimensional tones.” He paints a picture of blonde hair and sunlight peeking through a light wash of morning light rather than a “fresh from the salon” complexion. “Such white people had something key moments from the past; However, we are leaning towards the honey, buttery, champagne blondes In 2026,” he says. Be prepared to have all your friends asking if you should go blonde after this.
What is sunrise blonde?
Imagine how your hair will look in the morning light: the subtle glow of the rising sun making your hair shine. It’s imperfect, it moves when you run your fingers through it, and it’s completely dimensional – highlighting some layers and shadowing others. The result is a blended look courtesy of strategically placed highlights (and maybe some lowlights too, if you’re naturally fair enough) to create that “sunlight” effect: a symphony of warm honey tones and buttery gold, with a whisper of champagne blonde.
“Clients still want shine, but growth with less maintenance and more shine overall,” says celebrity hair stylist. glen oropeza Explains. Dimensional dye jobs like this one mask beautifully between appointments, ideal for busy summer schedules with little time for regular salon visits. She added, “There is also a greater focus on hair health, with clients prioritizing products and routines that protect their blonde hair from heat, UV exposure and brassiness during the summer months.” A hair trend that not only looks fresh and timely but also keeps health at the forefront? Sign us up.
How to Maintain Sunrise Blonde
I’m slowly but surely learning that white people May Actually have more fun, but what’s not fun is salon maintenance, expensive dye jobs, and summer color threats at every turn. (Chlorine! Too much sun! Salt water! I could go on.) Thankfully, the pros have tips, tricks, and product recommendations that will keep your blonde hair looking its best all summer long.
Use leave-in conditioner
Summers are made for long walks on the beach, lounging by the pool and diving into the crystalline waters. All of these activities pose potential dangers to your colored hair, but that doesn’t mean you can’t indulge — you just have to adjust your strategy. “It’s essential that we protect that beautiful color from any UV damage, salt water, and chlorine,” says Ramirez. “The last thing we want is dry hair or green (yes, chlorine will turn your blonde hair green) hair.” His recommendation? Kerastase Blonde Absolu Blonde Guard Hydrating Wonder Shield Leave-In SprayA leave-in conditioner that protects hair from seasonal effects.
Kerastase
Blonde Absolu Blonde Guard Hydrating Leave-In Conditioner Spray
“The key to maintaining beautiful blonde looks throughout the summer is to protect both the color and condition of the hair,” says Oropeza. The stylist also recommends this leave-in conditioner, especially for its sun-protecting properties. Equipped with hyaluronic acid for intense hydration and vitamins C and E for protective antioxidants, you can think of this serum-like spray conditioner as sunscreen for your hair. “[It]protects against heat, UV exposure and environmental stressors that can make blonde hair feel dry or dull,” he explains.
placement matters
From the first appointment to all subsequent touch-ups, stylists recommend asking for a “live-in blonde” to encourage natural-looking growth. “I suggest asking your stylist for dimensional placement like blended babylights or soft root shadow to create a brighter but low-maintenance blonde color,” says Oropeza.
keep it hydrated
“Healthy, hydrated hair will always make blonde[hair]look more voluminous and shiny,” says Oropeza. It’s important to use the right products in and out of the shower to make sure your hair stays as soft as possible. In addition to the Blonde Absolu Wonder Shield Leave-In Spray, consider adding a hydrating, blonde-boosting shampoo Kerastase Blonde Absolu Hydrating Illuminating Shampoo– A purple shampoo that strengthens, shines and hydrates – plus a complementary conditioner blonde hair strengthening conditioner.
Kerastase
Blond Absolu Hydrating Illuminating Shampoo
Kerastase
blonde hair strengthening conditioner
Kerastase
Blond Absolu Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo
sunrise blonde inspiration
Beyoncé’s signature color is practically always sunrise blonde, her roots darker and the length — this time, cut short into a chic bob — lighter to a honey shade.
(Image credit: David Corona/GC Images via Getty Images)
Bella Hadid reverts to her natural blonde hair from time to time, and the supermodel has embraced her blonde locks again with this golden blonde moment in Cannes. I saved this snap as soon as I saw it.
If Ciara’s blended blonde highlights don’t inspire you to book an appointment before your next beach trip, I don’t know what will.
There’s something about vibrant roots with a buttery-blonde, sunlit complexion that looks so effortlessly good.
Really shining.
This look—with the dimensional roots, face-framing gold stripes, and champagne babylights—is imprinted on my mind right now.
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