‘Hot Honey Blonde’ Is the Coolest Way to Go Warmer This Summer

Summer is right around the corner and beauty trends are heating up—especially when it comes to hair color. Hot honey blonde is shaping up to be the color of the season, with tons of celebrities already ditching their icy tones for a warmer shade.

Hot honey blonde spices up the traditional golden blonde hair color by incorporating warm, reddish undertones without venturing into strawberry or copper territory. Even the queen of platinum signed off on this color for summer: “[The color] is inspired by the Stay Golden campaign I just did with Paris Hilton for Paul Mitchell, and it’s all about that sunlit blonde, golden summer energy—rooted in effortless LA hair with a subtle nod to ’80s glam,” says celebrity stylist Tauni Dawson.

“It’s really about finding that perfect balance of warmth and light–golden, but not overly warm; modern, but not too beige. It has this soft, sunlit richness that feels elevated, expensive, and easy,” Dawson explains. Hot honey is also a great way to add dimension to your blonde, which makes for a more natural final look and a more even grow-out.

Miley Cyrus is also leaning into the hot honey trend: She debuted a toasty blonde transformation at the premiere of the Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special, and her colorist Kenny Reed told Glamour that the new shade is here to stay. “We were really reading into this blonde that’s sunnier but powerful,” he said.

Tempted to take the trendy shade for a spin? Ahead, experts share everything you need to know about going hot honey blonde.

How to ask for hot honey blonde at the salon

Celebrity colorist Jeremy Cohen says that while any natural hair color can achieve the hot honey look, brunette is often the ideal starting point. “[Brunettes] already have underlying warmth in the hair. When you lighten them, those warm tones naturally come through, which makes the end result look richer, more dimensional, and a lot more effortless,” he explains.

“For me, it’s all about controlled warmth and thoughtful placement. I start by going in with Paul Mitchell Professional Pre-Bonded Lightener, using a mix of fine babylights and slightly thicker weaves to create that natural-looking dimension, while strategically leaving depth in between for contrast so it never feels flat,” Dawson says.

Looking to recreate Hilton’s shade exactly? “Tone is everything,” Dawson says. “I refine with a gloss that blends honey, gold, and a touch of neutral to keep it rich but still polished. I build the dimension with Paul Mitchell The Demi 8NB (8/07) at the root for a soft shadow, and Paul Mitchell The Demi 10NB (10/07) through the midlengths and ends to create that perfect hot honey tone.”

When plotting with your colorist, Dawson recommends asking for a “warm, dimensional blonde with honey and soft caramel tones,” noting that it shouldn’t look too brassy or yellow. Descriptors like “lived-in,” “glossy,” and “low-maintenance brightness,” plus asking for a “shadow root” will help you get there.

This is also a tone you’ll want to work with your stylist to customize. “Bring reference photos,” Cohen says. “It’s the most effective way to communicate tone, depth, and placement, and ensures you and your colorist are aligned on the end result.”

How to maintain the hot honey blonde hair color

Warm blondes may be lower maintenance than bright platinum shades, but that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook completely. “The key to maintaining warmth in blonde hair is staying consistent with glosses between highlight appointments,” Cohen says. “That’s what keeps the tone looking rich, reflective, and intentional rather than faded.”

Dawson recommends a gloss every six to eight weeks to keep the preserve the tone and prevent dullness. “At home, use a hydrating, sulfate-free shampoo like the Paul Mitchell Forever Blonde Shampoo and Forever Blonde Conditioner are great because they gently cleanse, help keep color bright without over-toning, and support stronger, healthier-feeling hair,” she says. Since preserving warmth is a priority, you’ll also want to use purple shampoo sparingly.

Reed told Glamour that he used gloss (using a “translucent tone that had a slight lavender-violet nuance to keep the blonde bright and refined”) and a smoothing treatment to lock in Cyrus’s color transformation. If you can’t make it back to the salon, home glosses can be super effective at restoring vibrancy and shine.

If you’re going hot honey blonde for summer, you should also take extra measures to protect your hair from the heat and humidity. “In the summer, hydration is everything,” Cohen says. If you’re planning for a pool or ocean dip: “Incorporate regular masks and always prep your hair before swimming, either with conditioner or clean water,” he adds. “This creates a barrier so your hair doesn’t absorb chlorine or minerals that can shift the tone and dry it out.”

Hot honey inspo for every hair type

Arguably the best part of the hot honey blonde trend? How universally flattering the shade is across skin tones and hair types. Whether you’re after a whole-head transformation or some hot honey accents, scroll on for some of our favorite ways to embrace the color for summer.

Bright Hot Honey

Muted Hot Honey

Hot Honey Highlights

Hot Honey Balayage

Hot Honey Money Piece

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Grace McCarty is the associate beauty editor at Glamour.