Summer hair colors can be summed up in one word: fun. From the usual suspects, such as sandy blondes and golden hues, to loud color statements with neon and pastels, there's just something about the warmer months that brings energy to our hair choices.

But if bold shades aren't your thing, not to worry. This summer, celebrity colorist and Redken ambassador Laurie Heaps says you'll also want to consider embracing your softer side. “We're leaning into tones that feel warm, natural, and sun-kissed,” Heaps says. “Nothing too extreme, just soft [and] believable color that enhances your natural vibe.”

“Less on trends and more on creating healthy, vibrant color that's luminous and lets the hair's natural depth show through,” says Kadi Lee, celebrity colorist and founder of Highbrow Hippie. “Healthy hair is the key to healthy color.”

When the summer season starts, the world is your metaphorical oyster—at least hair-wise. To help inspire your new look, we asked the pros what colors they expect to see trending (and exactly what to ask for to get the look). Consider this the ultimate hair color guide for when those temps rise.

Cinnamon Gloss

In line with soft coppers, Heaps says to opt for something like cinnamon gloss to elevate your natural shade. “This isn't about going full red but adding a soft cinnamon tone to brunettes or darker blondes for depth,” she says. To keep hair healthy and natural-looking, she recommends products like the Redken Acidic Color Gloss Shampoo and Gloss Conditioner, which can help keep hair shiny and vibrant between touch-up appointments.

Golden Sunset

Summer is when blonde hair really shines. Heaps says that a golden honey blonde specifically is the perfect shade to get that beachy sunlit feel. “Think soft, lived-in blonde with a buttery glow,” she says. If you want to lean into your natural shade, she adds that you can have your natural dark roots blend into your lighter ends. “This season's color is about embracing your tone, not covering it up,” she says. “Enhancing [and] not overpowering. If it looks like the sun did or like you were born with it, you're doing it right.”

Lived-in Espresso

Heaps describes lived-in espresso as a deep, dimensional shade with soft fading around the face that keeps hair looking natural but elevated.

Spiced Rum

As spring turns to summer, we’re trading our bubbly mint juleps for something with more tropical—maybe a rum punch in a tall tiki glass. Of course, it’s not a tropical cocktail without a heavy pour of spiced rum. And while we’re at it, our hair could use a shot or two. “I love this color because it’s so simple and elegant,” says colorist Kirsten Stuke, who predicts this warm, coppery take on brunette will be all the rage this summer. Maintenance is easier for naturally darker hair, of course, while blondes and redheads may be running back to the salon every four to six weeks for root touch-ups.

Charcoal Brunette

Not quite black and too mysterious to be simply brunette, charcoal brunette is a sexy, cool-tone hue with ashen undertones. “It’s a great color for summer because many brunettes skew red from sun exposure—this cool tone will help to cancel some of that out,” says colorist Lauren Mildice.

But be warned: If you have a light natural hair color, stopping into the salon for touch-ups every four to six weeks will be nonnegotiable, she says, because your roots will be especially noticeable in contrast to the wickedly dark brunette.

Crème Brûlée

Crème brûlée is like butter blonde, but dirtied up a bit for a browned, warm tint. And if you think you’re spotting three or four blondes in one, you are. “It’s a multi-tonal blonde that uses shades of lemon, gold, and bronze undertones painted throughout the hair,“ says colorist Diana Mildice. “Using multiple colors creates dimension and the illusion of thicker hair.”

Sandy Blonde

“These shades of blonde have subtle, dimensional reflection,” says colorist Richy Kandasamy, who recommends asking for lived-in highlights mixed with different shades of brown. Bonus: It’s also quite a bit easier to maintain than the buttery Hollywood blondes of last season; dark roots just add to its dimension.

Microlights

If highlights are the head cheerleader in high school, then microlights are the charming French exchange student. The effect is subtle and quiet, but totally captivating. “It’s just a few soft amber flecks,” says Diana Mildice, who thinks these look especially beautiful on wavy or curly hair types.

Soft black

There’s Wednesday Addams black (no disrespect), and then there’s soft black: A touchable, velvety hue that just misses the darkest black on the spectrum. It’s sexy, but not too harsh. Mysterious, but not unapproachable. Dark, but not without charm. “If you want it to stay deep, request a single process,” says colorist Mariah Joseph. “If you want less commitment, request a gloss, since that naturally softens with each shampoo for a much easier grow out.”

Ghost roots

Think of color blocking—also called ghost roots—an edgy take on reverse grow-out. Putting every shade of your personality into your hair screams self-assurance. “It can be done with any variety of colors: blondes, reds, brunettes, or creative fashion colors. It’s extremely versatile and personal to you,” says Joseph.

“The look could be symmetrical or something asymmetrical. You and your stylist can really have fun coming up with a placement together,” she adds. But if large swathes of color à la Billie Eilish and Hari Nef feel like too much, try a few high-contrast highlights “like light platinum blonde on dark or black hair,” says colorist Anthony Garcia, who adds that the result is very animé or manga.

Sheer Golden Blonde

Lee describes this shade as a sunlit blonde that can shift in different light. “The placement does the heavy lifting,” she says. “Light builds gradually through the mid-lengths and ends, mimicking the way hair naturally lightens over the summer.”

Pastel Pink

For something bold and unexpected, celebrity colorist Jenna Perry says to go pink this summer. You can opt for spring hair color favorite pink pomelo (think of this like strawberry blonde’s cooler sister) or go bold with a bright pastel pink. And to take care of such a bright shade, she recommends using Olaplex’s No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo and No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner to keep color looking fresh.

Warm Amber

Another summer tone Lee loves is a warm amber, which she says is a rich “lit-from-within” tone with fine copper that threads throughout for added dimension. “I keep the base grounded and let the warmth concentrate where the sun would naturally find it,” she says. To take care of this—and any—shade, she recommends using her Highbrow Hippie Instant Silk Vitality Mask to restore damage and keep color looking bright and vibrant.

Red With a Chocolate Tint

Perry says that what changes most for the summer is the finish of your hair, with colors turning slightly brighter, glossier, and more sun-kissed. Red hair is making a quick comeback this season, but with a twist: a hint of chocolate. She recommends using something like R+Co Bleu Color Ultra Protection Spray to lock in and protect color.

Glossy Chocolate

If you’re looking for a brunette shade, Lee says to go for a glossy chocolate. “It’s a deep, polished brown where shine is the statement,” she says. “I build it with layers of gloss instead of permanent color, leaving the ends slightly lighter so the hair catches light as it moves.”

Curious about a beauty or wellness trend? We want to know! Email Vogue’s senior beauty and wellness editor at beauty@vogue.com.