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No matter what color your hair was born with, warm weather can make you want to make an emergency appointment with your colorist or reach for the bleach yourself.
That being said, not all shades of blonde are exactly the same, and every season a different blonde comes into fashion, from mushroom blonde to strawberry blonde with roots. This summer, everyone’s lips, or roots, are reminiscent of beauty’s favorite decade: the ’90s.
Supermodel blonde, or ’90s blonde, conjures up images of our favorite beauty icons, like Princess Diana and Claudia Schiffer, whose honey-toned looks have transcended time and color trends across decades.
“Warmer months are favoring organic, sun-kissed, relaxed, and low-maintenance blonde shades, reflecting a desire for a more carefree look amid the changing weather,” explains professional colorist Rachel Thomas, education and product development manager at Madison Reed. “Golden blonde is on trend because it’s not only universally flattering, but whether applied all over or in strategic sections, it also allows for an effortlessly chic look with minimal maintenance.”
Read on to find out what our experts have to say about the ’90s blonde trend, what to tell your colorist to get the shade you want, and tips for maintaining your color after you leave the salon.
Featured Experts
- Rachel Thomas is a professional colorist and manager of education and product development at Madison Reed.
- Tracey Cunningham is a celebrity colorist and Redken ambassador.
What is 90’s blonde?
When it comes to color, warmth is still key, according to Thomas: “Across the board, we’re seeing a shift away from blondes that are as gray as possible to warmer, shimmery blondes and brunettes with a mix of golds, coppers and champagne tones,” she explains.
Imagine golden, buttery hair. “’90s blondes aren’t platinum because they’re not so light that all of the pigment is removed,” she explains. “Instead, these blondes are ones that harken back to the sunshine and beach youthful vibes and great textured cuts that were so popular in the ’70s.”
But for others, the definition of ’90s blonde may be different.
For celebrity colorist and Redken ambassador Tracy Cunningham, ’90s blonde was brighter and bolder, conjuring images of a beach-soaked Pamela Anderson or California cool Cameron Diaz.
Cunningham says it’s no surprise that the ’90s are back: “The color world, and especially blonde color products, have evolved since I started my career in the ’90s, and you can now use vibrant shades and still get great, healthy results,” she says.
What to ask for if you want 90s blonde hair
Although the trend is popular on social media, there’s no guarantee your hairstylist will be familiar with the term, so be prepared to give detailed descriptions of the look you want.
Thomas recommends resisting the urge to go as light as possible, as long as your highlighting service allows. “The goal is to leave the blonde (full or partial highlights) with natural pigment so it looks like a deep, rich blonde with complex tones,” she says. “Tell your hairstylist you want a warm blonde, not a super light blonde.”
According to Thomas, ’90s blonde is a colorist’s dream: “Warm blondes are a lot easier to achieve than icy cool blondes because your hair already has the color; you just don’t want to lighten it too much to get the golden hue,” she says.
If all else fails, Cunningham suggests bringing along a photo as inspiration, which will eliminate any confusion as to the exact shade of blonde you’re looking for.
How to maintain blonde hair
Blonde is notoriously one of the toughest tones to maintain. Before going blonde, your colorist will often stress that the color will require regular visits to the salon. Cunningham’s rule of thumb: the lighter the color, the more work it’ll take to maintain. However, choosing a warmer blonde will make the upkeep less of a hassle.
“Blonde hair always has a natural warmth to it,” Thomas explains. “Blonde is the most high-maintenance because you have to constantly tone it down if you’re trying to keep it too gray. Embracing the warmth of gold means you won’t have to maintain it as often to counteract the warmth.”
To extend the time between treatments, Thomas recommends using an at-home gloss like Madison Reed’s Semi-Permanent Color Reviving Gloss (Prosecco or Miele, $25) to revive faded color.
Cunningham also suggests swapping out your regular shampoo and conditioner for sulfate-free alternatives: Redken ColorExtend Magnetics Sulfate-Free Shampoo and Conditioner ($26 each) will help maintain and protect blonde hair.
If coloring your hair at home isn’t your style, she recommends scheduling an appointment with your colorist to apply a gloss in between your regular color sessions to keep your color results as fresh as possible.
