Temperatures are rising and so are the stakes in the hair game!
Summer 2025 is bringing a new wave of hair trends that are all about ease with attitude.
Whether you want to cut it all off, add some sun-kissed dimension or just switch up your daily styling routine, this season’s top hair looks have something for everyone.
From low-maintenance cuts that will survive beach days to bold colors that capture the season’s energy, let’s get into the summer hair trends that are about to be everywhere.
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2025 Summer hair cuts that beat the heat
When it gets hot, the last thing you want is heavy hair weighing you down.
This summer’s most-wanted cuts are all about movement, texture and that coveted “I woke up like this” vibe that somehow still looks polished.
The soft bob
Meet summer’s coolest girl cut: the soft bob. Unlike the super-sharp, precision bobs of seasons past, this one has softened edges and gentle layers for a lived-in, effortless feel.
“The soft bob offers sleek structure with subtly softened edges for a more natural, lived-in feel, making it perfect for minimal styling with maximum impact,” says celebrity hairstylist Jerome Lordet.
What makes this bob so summer-friendly is its versatility. You can air-dry for beachy texture or blow dry with a round brush for more polish.
The soft edges mean you won’t need to run to the salon every three weeks for maintenance, giving you more time to actually enjoy your summer.
Not sure if a soft bob would suit your face shape?
Before booking that salon appointment, try Facetune’s haircut tools to virtually try on different bob lengths and styles and see how they’d look on you.
It’s the perfect way to get confident before you make the chop!
The shaggy lob
Can’t decide between a bob and longer layers?
The shaggy lob is your answer—and it’s perfect for the summer transition from spring’s sleeker styles.
This mid-length cut falls somewhere between chin and collarbone, with layers of varying lengths for movement and texture.
What makes the shaggy lob so summer-friendly is its versatility. Whether your hair is straight, wavy or curly, this cut works with your texture not against it.
“A stylist can shape the layers to play with your natural texture, so it’s perfect for air-drying,” Lordet says.
This means less time with hot tools and more time enjoying summer.
The shaggy lob also has a gentle grow-out phase, perfect if you got a bob in the spring and are ready for a change.
Add some face-framing layers and you’ve got a fresh summer look without losing too much length.
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The layered midi
If you’re growing out a shorter cut or just love having some length to play with, the layered midi cut is your summer hair saviour.
Falling right around the collarbone, this length is the sweet spot—long enough for updos on hot days but not so long you’ll be sweating under a curtain of hair.
“It’s effortlessly stylish and flattering,” says Lordet. “The layers add movement and volume, so you can air-dry or blow dry.”
The result is a cut that looks intentionally styled even when you’ve just rolled out of bed and spritzed it with some salt spray.
Before you commit, try Facetune’s hair tools to see how mid-length layers would frame your face.
You can even test how the cut would look styled different ways—sleek and straight, tousled and wavy or pulled back into a casual updo.
Summer hair colors that capture the sunshine
Summer is all about bright energy and golden light and this year’s trending hair colors reflect that.
From soft, sun-kissed highlights to bold, vibrant transformations, summer 2025’s color palette is playful and sophisticated.
Golden apricot
Redheads, move over—golden apricot is the warmest, most flattering color trend of summer 2025.
This “radiant mix of soft peach, honey gold and tangerine creates a sunlit, glowing effect that flatters all skin tones,” says Lordet. Think of it as capturing golden hour in a hair color.
What makes golden apricot so special is its dimension and versatility.
It’s not a flat orange or a one-note red, but a complex shade with depth that catches the light beautifully.
It works on previously blonde or brunette hair and can be adjusted to suit different skin tones.Not ready to go full golden apricot?
Try Facetune’s hair color tools to see how this warm, glowing shade would look on you.
You might be surprised at how wearable and flattering this statement color can be!
Strawberry blonde
Another red-adjacent color making waves this summer is strawberry blonde.
Popularized by Ariana Grande’s Wicked press tour, this juicy color sits at the perfect intersection of red and blonde for a playful yet sophisticated look.
What makes strawberry blonde so summer 2025 is its natural evolution from the copper trend that dominated earlier in the year.
“So many people went red and are now embracing the fade-out of that for the summer months,” says Brooklyn stylist Daniella Vassallo.
This makes it a perfect low-maintenance summer hair color idea for those who already went red.
Summer blonde hair color
Blonde and summer go together like beaches and sunsets but this year’s blonde trends are more subtle than ever. Rather than platinum or bright blonde of summers past, 2025 is all about dimensional, warm-toned blonde that looks naturally sun-kissed.
“Clients are gravitating toward colors that feel intentional, effortlessly polished and naturally flattering,” says Lordet. This means honey and golden blonde tones that mimic what happens when the sun lightens your hair naturally.
For brunettes looking for some blonde dimension, try “recession bronde”—yes, the name isn’t glamorous but the look definitely is.
This low-maintenance blend of brown and blonde requires fewer touchups making it perfect for summer when you’d rather be at the beach than in a salon chair.
It’s one of the most flattering summer hair colors for brunettes who want dimension without a dramatic change.
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Sunset balayage
Can’t choose just one color? Sunset balayage combines the best of summer into one gorgeous, dimensional look.
Boston-based colorist Christine Bellemare describes it as “the light that drenches the beach during sundown with soft hints of peach throughout.”
This hair-painting technique creates a gradient effect with your natural color at the roots transitioning to warmer, lighter tones at the ends.
What makes it perfect for summer is the low-maintenance grow-out—as your hair gets longer the color still looks intentional rather than showing an obvious root line.
Want to see how different placement of highlights would frame your face? Use Facetune’s hair color tools to experiment with various highlight patterns before your salon appointment.
Summer braids to keep you cool and stylish
When temperatures rise, protective styles become not just a fashion choice but a practical one too.
This summer’s braid trends combine practicality with high style, giving you options for everything from beach days to summer weddings.
Summer box braids with a twist
Box braids are a summer classic but 2025 is bringing fresh updates to this protective style.
This summer it’s all about adding unexpected elements: metallic threads woven through select braids, ombré color transitions or even delicate beads and cuffs as accents.
“For a more elevated or luxe feel, chrome gold or glittery gold accents can enhance the look and give it that rich, polished finish,” says one stylist.
These extra elements turn box braids from practical to statement-making.
The beauty of summer box braids is their versatility. Wear them down for a full textured look, style them into a high ponytail for active days or create an intricate updo for special occasions.
One style, endless possibilities—perfect for the many activities of summer.
Braided ponytails
For a style that’s quick to create but makes a big impact the braided ponytail is summer 2025’s answer.
Start with a sleek high ponytail then braid the length for a sporty yet sophisticated look.
Celebrity stylist Dimitris Giannetos loves the style whether it’s a “tight, sculpted braid or a more playful bubble ponytail… It’s bold and sophisticated and works for everything from red carpets to summer nights out.”
What makes this style so summer-friendly is its functionality—it keeps hair off your neck on hot days and looks intentional and put together.
Plus it works on all hair lengths from shoulder-length to super long.
Wrapped ponytails
Taking the ponytail trend to the next level, wrapped ponytails add an element of design to this simple style.
Sleek metallic bands, colorful ribbons or even chains, pearls or beads wrapped around the ponytail’s base turn a basic pony into something special.
“The result is a chic yet bold style that feels both sophisticated and sci-fi inspired, perfect for those who want to make a statement,” says New Jersey stylist Jennifer Korab.
The style has been spotted on everyone from tennis star Coco Gauff to actress Sadie Sink, so it’s versatile across different aesthetics.
What makes wrapped ponytails perfect for summer is they can elevate a basic style.
When it’s too hot for your hair to be down but you still want to look put together a wrapped ponytail delivers both comfort and style.
Easy summer hairstyles for effortless chic
Let’s be real—summer should be about relaxing, not spending hours in front of the mirror with hot tools.
This season’s trending styles are all about a more laid-back approach without sacrificing style.
Brushed out waves
While beachy waves have been a summer staple for years, 2025 sees the rise of a softer, more diffused version: brushed out waves.
This look starts with traditional waves (whether from a curling iron, braids or your natural texture) but then gets gently brushed through for a softer, more lived-in finish.
Celebrity stylist Jacob Rozenberg loves this look for its effortlessness combined with volume.
The result is waves that don’t look “done” but still have polish and intention behind them.
It’s the perfect balance for summer when too-perfect hair can look out of place at casual outdoor gatherings.
Try using Facetune’s styling tools to see how different wave patterns would look with your current cut.
It’s a great way to experiment without committing to a new styling routine.
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Fairy waves
For those with longer hair fairy waves are a romantic whimsical alternative to traditional beach waves.
These ethereal waves cascade down with a softer more natural looking pattern that’s less defined than typical curls.
Jenny Cho, celebrity hairstylist and Fekkai Five member, recommends fairy waves for adding “romance and whimsy” to ultra long hair.
The key is to keep the waves looking soft and natural rather than tight or overly styled.
A texturizing spray helps create that gritty texture that defines the look.
Side parts with attitude
After years of middle parts dominating the side part is making a comeback for summer 2025. “Sorry Gen Z! We’ve seen [the side part] all over red carpets and the runway recently.
I think many people are ready for its comeback,” says Vassallo. What makes the side part perfect for summer is its versatility and face-framing potential.
A deep side part can add drama to even the simplest styles, while a slightly off-center part offers a subtle update to your usual look.
It’s an effortless way to change your appearance without a cut or color commitment.
Not sure if a side part would suit your face shape? Use Facetune’s styling tools to test different part placements before making the switch.
You might be surprised at how dramatically it can change your overall look!
Summer highlights to brighten your look
When it comes to adding dimension to your hair summer 2025 is all about strategic placement and natural looking results.
This season’s highlight trends create the illusion of sun-kissed hair without looking artificial or overly processed.
Face-framing highlights
Instead of all-over highlights summer 2025 focuses color around the face for maximum impact with minimal maintenance.
These strategic highlights brighten your complexion and add dimension exactly where it matters most.
“Face-framing highlights are an investment in your overall appearance,” explains one colorist.
“They illuminate your features and add brightness without requiring a full head of highlights.”
This targeted approach is not only more affordable but also means less damage to your hair overall.
For brunettes especially face-framing highlights in caramel or honey tones can add warmth and dimension without compromising your base color.
It’s one of the most flattering summer hair color ideas for brunettes who want subtle change.
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Baby lights
For the most natural looking dimension baby lights are summer 2025’s go to technique.
These ultra fine highlights are painted in tiny well-placed ribbons throughout the hair mimicking the natural lightening that happens from sun exposure.
“They blend seamlessly, need fewer touch-ups and grow out naturally for an effortlessly polished look,” says Giannetos.
The result is hair that looks naturally sun-kissed rather than obviously highlighted—perfect for a season that celebrates natural beauty.
Baby lights work on all base colors from deep brunette to bright blonde, making them one of the most versatile summer hair color ideas.
They’re particularly flattering on darker hair, creating subtle dimensions without dramatically changing your overall color.
Lived-in color
The days of stark, obvious highlights are behind us. Summer 2025 embraces "lived-in" color that looks intentional but not freshly done.
"I see people moving toward subtlety, more of a natural influence," says hairstylist Gregory Russell.
"If it's a blonde it's soft, if there are highlights in brunette hair they are very subtle and more about dimension."
This means less frequent touch-ups (perfect for busy summer schedules) and a more gentle transition as your hair grows.
Soft shadow roots—where your natural color is visible at the root area—are particularly trending, offering built in growth that still looks intentional.
Before committing to any highlight technique use Facetune’s hair color tools to visualize different placement options.
You can test how face-framing highlights, baby lights or more traditional highlighting patterns would look with your current color and cut.
Summer 2025’s hair trends have something for everyone, from those looking for a radical transformation to those just wanting a subtle refresh.
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The common thread running through all these trends is ease—styles that work with your natural texture, colors that grow out gracefully and looks that don’t require hours of daily styling.
Before your next salon visit try out Facetune’s hair tools to test different cuts, colors and styles.
Being able to visualize these changes before making them can give you the confidence to try something new while ensuring you’ll love the results.
What summer hair trend are you most excited to try?
