The biggest hair colour trends for summer 17/18

As we wind down the last few weeks of 2017, it’s time to start considering what the next year will bring. And for us beauty obsessives here at beautyheaven, that means getting inspired by all the summer hair colours that are trending and deciding on a fresh look for the New Year.

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Luckily, we’ve got access to the best hair colourists in the business, who can tell us exactly what the hottest hair colour trends are this season and how to wear them. This time we spoke to Jack Morton, National Technical Director of TONI&GUY Australia, who gave us the lowdown on the summer hair colours that are dominating the runways, the red carpets and your social media feeds.

The hair colour trends to wear this summer

Lazy girls, rejoice! According to Jack, it’s all about a laid back vibe for hair colours in summer 17/18. “Effortless-looking hair is always a perfect go-to for summer,” he says. “The difference this year is that people aren't as afraid to show that they've had their hair coloured, which is a shift away from the super natural-looking highlights we’ve seen previously. Now it’s all about a stronger placement of blonde with a heavy natural regrowth.” The lesson here? Cancel all those follow-up hair appointments you’ve got scheduled, because it’s all about the regrowth.

If you need more convincing that the trend is going to be big this season, look no further than the red carpet. Jack points to Selena Gomez, Emma Stone, Sarah Jessica Parker, Karlie Kloss and Zoe Kravitz as just a few of the celebrities wearing this colour trend. “You can see there’s been a movement towards much more stark blondes,” he says. “These celebrity colours are some great examples of the trend moving from overly gold and buttery blondes or beige, stone blonde, to a much more transparent or 'warm white' for some classic bleach impact. This can be offset with a natural dark root to help suit individual skin tones or add depth to a textured haircut.”

Putting aside the classic hair cliché of ‘going lighter for summer’, Jack says there are many other reasons to adopt the no-fuss colour trends of the season. “Summer always has a carefree attitude, so contrived hair is a no-go,” he says. “It's hard to keep graphic shapes and bright colours looking sharp during summer due to the harsh weather conditions and sun exposure in Australia, so summer is the perfect time to move away from these trends as they are harder to maintain.”

What’s the maintenance going to be like?

Speaking of maintenance, it’s often the biggest deterrent to those considering a new hair colour. This is especially apparent during summer, when the last thing we feel like doing is being stuck inside a hair salon for hours on end instead of outside enjoying the warm weather. That why, according to Jack, these summer hair colour trends reign supreme – it’s all about keeping your hair healthy at home. “The key is to keep your hair strong and hydrated. Colour will have more longevity and tonality if the condition of the hair is healthy,” he says. “And avoid heat styling as much as possible if you can.”

When you do visit the salon, Jack suggests working with your colourist to create the most low maintenance colour possible. “Anything that strays too far from your natural colour that is coloured to the roots will grow out much faster,” he says. “So have the colourist add the lighter colours toward the ends of your hair for lower maintenance.

While you’re there, Jack suggests having a treatment to ensure your colour stay firmly intact throughout the hot months ahead. “There have been some incredible breakthroughs in technology in regards to treatments,” he says. “We can put treatments into colour products such as bleach and tints now so that they maintain the strength and integrity of the hair as it is being lightened. There is so much less damage done to the hair and the clarity of the tone will last longer, so ask your colourist about trying 'in-colour' plex treatments.”

To make the most of your colour, use colour-saving hair products at home will keep your hair fresh for the summer season.

bh loves: TONI&GUY Volume Addiction Shampoo for Fine Hair and Conditioner, A'kin by Al'chemy Ylang Ylang Colour-Care Shampoo and A’kin Colour Protection Conditioner, De Lorenzo Blonde Bombshell Pack, TONI&GUY Heat Protection Mist.

Will these hair colour trends suit me?

Now that you’ve heard all about the latest summer hair trends and what the upkeep will look like, it’s time to figure out what will work best for you. Luckily, Jack says there’s a wide variety of skin tones that can suit these laid back trends. “If you have cooler skin tones, warmer golden hues would work better, such as honey, milky, almond blondes or peach and copper tones,” he suggests. “Warmer skin tones will suit more slate, lavender, coral or beige blondes and metallic browns.”

So that’s the skin tone sorted – but what about your current haircut and hairstyle? Do they matter when it comes to these colour trends? Not so, says Jack. “This hair colour concept can be adapted to any haircut or hair type,” he says. “However, finer hair should opt for darker colours through the underneath of the hair to give the illusion of thickness.”

In regards to your haircut, Jack says it’s important to consider what the focal point of your haircut is. “Whether it's a fringe, volume or texture, the colour can be adapted to help exaggerate that aspect.”

So what are you waiting for? Get that Pinterest board working, beauties.

What’s your favourite hair colour for summer?