No matter what your natural hair color is, if you're looking to switch things up, you have plenty — and we mean plenty — of options. For blondes, the first shades that come to mind are usually platinum blond [5] (for the more dramatic) and dirty blond [6] (for something subtler), but your choices are much more nuanced than that. Honey-blond hair has been making the rounds in Hollywood, and it's the perfect transitional color for the upcoming spring season [7].
As far as hair-color trends go, honey blond is a classic choice. It's not ultrabright, so the maintenance can be minimal, but it's also not so dark that it can be mistaken as brunette. If you need any further proof of how great this hair color is, just look at Zendaya, who debuted the new hue [8] on Feb. 3. Similarly, Lucy Hale dyed her hair honey blond [9] for the summer in 2021. But perhaps the most iconic showing has to be on Mandy Moore, the honey-blond-hair queen herself. After going over to the dark side for years (since 2005, to be exact), the star went back to blond in 2021 [10].
If you're sold on the idea of dyeing your hair honey blond, keep reading for some hairstyle inspiration and tips from a stylist.
What Is the Honey-Blond Hair Color?
"Honey-blond hair color is composed of a delightful spectrum of soft golden tones that feel like a spring sunset," Kelly Lin [11], cofounder and hair colorist at Salon SCK [12] in New York City, tells POPSUGAR. The shade is warm toned and flatters all skin tones. With the help of a professional, it's also easy to tailor to fit each person.
"It's always good to bring in photos for inspiration, because you want to show the golden tones that work for your skin tone and make sure the hair colorist can customize them for your hair," Lin says.
How to Maintain Honey-Blond Hair at Home
Any time you dye your hair, expect at least some upkeep. With this shade, the maintenance really depends on your natural hair color. "To refresh the golden tones and overall sheen and luster of your honey-blond hair, I recommend returning to the salon for monthly glosses [13] in between highlight appointments," Lin says. "It's also completely necessary to use a color-safe shampoo and conditioner [14] at home to preserve your color and prevent it from fading." She recommends the Shu Uemura Color Lustre Sulfate-Free Shampoo [15] ($52), and we also like the Pureology Hydrate Shampoo For Dry Color-Treated Hair [16] ($36).