If it seems like all of your favorite celebrities are suddenly going blonde right now, that’s because they are. While darker hair colors typically steal the show during the colder months, this season, blonde hair has never been more sought after, thanks in part to stars like Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber who have opted to go lighter for the fall. At the moment, there’s been a huge surge in blonde hair color trends with some hair colors, like NYC blonde and old money blonde, already taking the Internet—and hair salons— by storm.
So why exactly is everyone suddenly entering into their blonde hair era? According to celebrity colorist and Schwarzkopf Professional U.S. Hair Color Trend Ambassador Jacob Schwartz, blonde hair makes a serious statement.
“It has the allure and transformative effect that allows clients, especially celebrities, to stand out. Blonde tones bring a feeling of brightness and confidence, which is a contrast as we transition into fall and winter,” says Schwartz, whose celebrity clientele list includes many notable blondes like Margot Robbie, Brie Larson, and Sydney Sweeney. “Celebrities like Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber choosing blonde signal a trend of embracing light, striking shades even in seasons where we traditionally see darker hues. This movement breaks seasonal norms, showing that blondes can be just as rich and dynamic in the colder months.”
And unlike the traditional blonde hair shades that we are already familiar with, this season’s blonde hues are much more sophisticated. According to Schwartz, there is a shift towards luxurious and effortless, softer tones. “Shades are leaning into more lived-in undertones that feel organic and timeless,” he says, adding that warm, golden tones have been his current obsession. “Rather than high-contrast, platinum blondes, fall and winter blondes are more nuanced, with shades like butterscotch and honey. These colors blend seamlessly with natural roots, making them wearable and lower maintenance—a key factor for many clients this season.”
With so many different blonde hair color trends circulating around, it may be difficult to decipher which shades will work best for your client, and help them achieve the blonde hair of their dreams. However, don’t be discouraged—Schwartz says the key is to consider your client’s skin tone, lifestyle, and preferred maintenance level. “Not every blonde works for everyone, so customizing is key,” he explains. “Warmer shades like butterscotch and old money blonde suit clients who want dimension and low maintenance, while platinum blonde works for those who prefer a cooler high maintenance, polished look.”
Ahead, The Tease tapped Schwartz to share his tips for achieving some of this season’s most popular blonde hair colors.
Old Money Blonde
If your clients are looking for a hair color that screams quite luxury, allow us to introduce you to old money blonde. Considered to be relatively low maintenance compared to other blondes, this hair color is defined by a contrast of cool and warm blondes shades that create soft ribbons of color, adding light and shade to the hair. According to Schwartz, old money blonde is a big favorite and very popular right now among his clients—including Margot Robbie, who was an early adopter of this look. For any stylists hoping to achieve this luxurious, multidimensional blonde for their clients, Schwartz says, “the key is using the BlondMe Lightner with 6 volume so it stays gold.”
NYC Blonde
While it’s been over a decade since NYC-based celebrity colorist and salon owner Jenny Perry first coined this hair color, it has experienced a recent rise in popularity after the hair pro took Kendall Jenner blonde this past September. Described as a warm golden blonde that’s shaded at the root to allow for a seamless growth, NYC blonde is a super chic and timeless choice for the colder months ahead. To create this look for your clients, Schwartz says, “I would use the BlondMe 9+ to get the most lift possible for this platinum blonde.”
Cherry Blonde
We all know and love cherry cola hair, but have you met its blonde counterpart, cherry blonde? This gorgeous shade is not-quite-pink and not-quite-blonde, but a unique mix of light blonde and a soft red with warmer pink tones. According to Pinterest, cherry blonde is set to be everywhere, as online searches for the shade had already increased by 6,300% ahead of the fall season. If you’re looking to give your clients a taste of cherry blonde, Schwartz recommends first lightening their hair with BlondMe 9+ and then toning all over with the BlondMe Toner in Strawberry.
Butterscotch Blonde
For clients who are looking to warm up their blonde, you really can’t go wrong with a rich butterscotch blonde. Offering beautiful dimension and texture, this hair color is characterized by a delicious blend of light golden and caramel tones, often with brighter and lighter highlights woven all throughout. To create this decadent blonde to life for your clients, Schwartz suggests that stylists, “highlight with the BlondMe 9+ and then use the Igora Vibrance 9-55 and 7-55 to keep it really gold and bright.”
For more of Schwartz’s pro tips and tricks, be sure to follow @jacobschwartzhair on Instagram. And for the latest from Schwarzkopf Professional, make sure to follow @schwarzkopfusa on Instagram.
