I have to admit: as someone who has had brunette hair for most of her life, I’m feeling a little jealous right now. Why? Well, blonde hair is having a moment and staking its claim, not only as one of summer's hottest hair colours but also as one of this year's biggest hair trends, too.
Just look to Bella Hadid for proof, who debuted a honey-blonde look at Cannes Film Festival in May. Meanwhile, closer to home, my Instagram has been filled with celebrities and influencers embracing mocha bronde and worn-blonde tones. Even Who What Wear UK’s own junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay, recently joined the butterscotch blonde ranks, proving that for summer 2025, lighter locks are well and truly trending.
Whilst I’m yet to book a salon appointment for myself (although the way things are going, it could only be a matter of time), I’ve taken to satiating my blonde obsession by exploring another trending look. Bright yet effortless "California blonde" has been all over my feed of late, and it’s a colour I predict we’ll be seeing a lot of as we get further into summer. So, what exactly is California blonde hair? I spoke to Laura Elliot, head educator and stylist at Neal & Wolf, to find out.
What Is "California Blonde" Hair?
"California blonde is a bright, summery, true blonde that’s created using a variety of tones to replicate the hues of a California beach," says Elliot. "It’s sun-kissed with a soft, lived-in root blend to make it seem like your hair has naturally lightened over a sunny summer holiday. For this reason, I know this will be a really popular style as the days get warmer and beach holidays are all over Instagram, as the mix of tones will look stunning in a bouncy blowdry and beachy waves."
How Do You Achieve California Blonde Hair?
"To create the perfect California-blonde look, we would brighten areas of the hair that naturally lighten in the sun, such as around the face and top of the head," says Elliot. "As California blonde is all about that natural sunkissed blonde look with both warm and cool tones, it does require some skill to achieve, so I would recommend speaking to your colourist to find the right shades to match your skin tone. Expertise in selecting the right tonal mix to create a natural-looking finish is really important, as well as blending everything nicely into the roots."
You want your California-blonde hair to appear as if you’ve just spent a month sunning yourself in Malibu rather than a few hours at the salon, so it's useful to spend time talking to your stylist to ensure you both understand your desired look. Inspiration pictures can also be helpful to convey exactly what you hope to achieve, and luckily, I’ve found plenty to help steer you in the direction of your perfect California-blonde look. Keep scrolling to see some of my favourites.
California-Blonde Hair Trend Inspiration
1. Bright and Beachy
Influencer Cass Dimicco’s warm, rich shade is the perfect example of California blonde.
2. Celeb-Approved Blonde
Kelly Rowland has had many hair colours over the years, yet this bright California-blonde bob look is a personal favourite of mine.
3. Short and Sunkissed
Proof that California blonde looks great on all hair lengths.
4. A Little Lived-In
Emili Sindlev’s slightly darker roots offer a more relaxed take on the hair colour.
5. Natural Textures
The root shadow combined with the natural texture of Celeste Evans's curls is beyond beautiful.
6. Tousled Tones
Elsa Hosk is known for her signature California-blonde hair.
7. Luxe Up-Do
A honeyed California-blonde up-do? So elegant.
8. Easy and Effortless
Megan Vega’s bright blonde shade looks totally effortless.
9. Curly Girls
California-blonde curls? Just perfection.
10. Keep It Simple
Blackpink's Jennie Kim opted for California blonde with minimal roots for a chic, statement look.
11. Soft Bends
A subtle wave, like Emma Roberts wears here, will add movement and definition to California-blonde lengths.
12. Max Volume
Go big on volume to really show off your California blonde.
The Best Products for California-Blonde Hair
Whilst we’d recommend visiting a professional to achieve a natural-looking California blonde, if you want to dye your hair at home, Josh Wood’s permanent dyes have a gentle formula that still delivers seriously great colour.
A purple shampoo is a must for keeping brassiness at bay.
Use a hydrating hair mask weekly to keep California-blonde hair looking its best.
Apply a brightening spray on sunny days to keep blonde luminous between salon visits.
Bleached hair can be prone to damage, so ensure yours is protected by applying a heat protectant regularly.
Did you know minerals in your water can actually dull your blonde? This clever pre-shampoo spray will protect hair to keep your colour vibrant.
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