We tend to reserve on-trend blonde shades just for summer, but there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to beauty. And a new hair shade is officially taking fall by storm: sunflower blonde. Named one of Fall 2024’s biggest hair trends by “Hair Boyant” Tom Smith, the same genius behind the Cowboy Copper explosion, sunflower blonde is inspired by its namesake flower , a warm, bright blonde hair color.
“Typically, it’s a warm, light golden tone, sometimes leaning towards honey or caramel tones,” explains celebrity hairstylist and blonde specialist Kelly Nowoelski. “The colors are rich and vibrant, often with a bright sun-kissed glow. Less icy and ashy than cool blondes, more natural and warm, the golden petals of a full-blown sunflower. A striking, luminous color similar to .
This shade is perfect for fall as it’s not as bright or white as the summer ultra blonde shades. Plus, its warm golden glow and rich dimension blend easily into seasonal palettes and help warm your skin. Nowobielski recommends bringing photo inspiration to your colorist and working with them from there to find your own approach to sunflower blonde.
Here are some sunflower blonde hair color ideas to get you started.
1. Sunflower blonde balayage
For a low-maintenance, easy-to-grow sunflower blonde look, Noboelski says opt for classic balayage. Dark roots blend into warm ends for an effortless look that’s healthy and radiant.
2. Sunflower blonde angel highlights
Opt for thin highlights throughout your mane for a super versatile approach to sunflower blonde hair with subtle highlights. This technique creates a more natural-looking blonde.
3. Sunlit sunflower blonde
For sunflower blonde, dial it up to add a “naturally enhanced by the sun” effect. “I love this sun-kissed, structured blonde because it makes the hair look younger,” says Nowoelski.
4. Honey soaked sunflower blonde
Here, the sunflower blonde look is given an even more honeyed twist, with some hand-painted techniques thrown in as well. “This lively, warm blonde balayage gives off a truly natural beachy brightness and is an easy way to achieve a sunflower-inspired blonde look,” says Nowobielski.
5. Ultra warm sunflower blonde
Take your sunflower blonde a step further by pushing deeper into very warm tones. This is a great option for brunettes who want to move into lighter territory, or blondes who want to tone it down a bit for fall.
6. Faceted Sunflower Blonde
One of the most beautiful things about being sunflower blonde is that you can use highlights and lowlights to flatter your skin and customize it to your liking. Here, “this hair color dimension embodies each part of the sunflower, from the seeds to the colorful petals,” says Nowobielski.
7. Neutral Sunflower Blonde
Consider taking a neutral approach to sunflower blonde, combining both warm and cool tones. It’s the perfect combination of golden and icy tones, so it’s perfect if you’re used to cool blondes and want to try something new.
