12 Strawberry Blonde Hair Ideas To Inspire Your Next Transformation

If you’re someone who likes to stand out, strawberry blonde hair might be a shade to consider next time you’re itching for a makeover. With its punchy blend of warm copper, soft blonde, and rich auburn tones, this dimensional hue commands attention in a way that few other natural hair colors can.

Thanks to its multi-tonal nature, strawberry blonde is also highly versatile. It can be made softer or more vibrant, darker or lighter, making it a flattering pick for a wide range of skin tones and undertones. If you’re interested in trying the color for yourself, keep reading. Ahead, we’re sharing 12 of our favorite strawberry blonde hair shades to try, along with our top tips for keeping your new hue vibrant, bright, and full of shine.

What Is Strawberry Blonde Hair?

Strawberry blonde hair can best be described as a warm, mid-toned blonde with distinct reddish overtones. Natural strawberry blonde hair is relatively rare—natural redheads make up only about 2% of the global population, and strawberry blonde is just one shade of many. As such, most people achieve the hue with the help of hair dye (and, in most cases, bleach).

Though red and blonde tones are present throughout all variations of strawberry blonde hair, the color itself is highly adaptable. The shade can range from pale, sunlit blonde with a hint of pink to deeper, richer tones that border on reddish bronde. Adjusting the amount of red in the formula can also affect how warm the color reads. Anyone can embrace the shade, but the most flattering option for you will usually be one that complements and mirrors your skin’s undertones (which can be warm, cool, or neutral). If you’re not quite sure what that means, don’t stress—we’ll show examples of both warmer and cooler takes on the versatile hue shortly.

Strawberry blonde vs. light blonde hair

The main difference between strawberry blonde hair and light blonde hair comes down to tone, undertone, and depth. Strawberry blonde features an equal mix of golden and crimson tones, creating a balanced hue that sits directly between red and blonde. Light blonde, meanwhile, generally lacks the distinct reddish cast and usually features a mix of beige, sand, and platinum tones. Because of the red pigments in the color, strawberry blonde always leans warmer, while light blonde can be warm, neutral, or cool and ashy.

They also differ in depth. While light blonde stays on the lighter end of the spectrum, strawberry blonde can range from ulta-light reddish blonde to darker blonde bordering on brown (as is the case with strawberry bronde hair).

12 Strawberry Blonde Hair Color Ideas We Love

Whether you’re angling for a dark strawberry blonde or want something bright and beachy, there’s a variation of this shade for you. Keep scrolling for a look at some of our favorite strawberry blonde hair colors, plus the best at-home hair coloring kits to help you get the look.

1. Classic strawberry blonde

If you’re a purist, classic strawberry blonde is hard to beat. This warm, sunny shade features an equal mix of golden and copper tones, creating a color that feels bright, vibrant, and surprisingly natural (especially for those with fairer skin). To get the balanced hue without a salon visit, snag a permanent strawberry blonde hair dye, such as the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Crème Triple Care Permanent Hair Color in Medium Reddish Blonde. Keep in mind that if you’re starting with darker hair, you’ll need to pre-bleach your strands before applying your color.

2. Light strawberry blonde

Light strawberry blonde hair can be a gorgeous option for those who prefer a subtle, natural-feeling hue. The warm blonde shade is bright and fun without being overpowering—and you can easily DIY the look with a boxed dye like L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Light Reddish Blonde.

3. Golden strawberry blonde

While strawberry blonde is pretty much always warm in tone, you can kick the warmth up even further, if you like. This take on the classic color leans more golden in tone, which makes it look ultra luxurious and distinctly sun-kissed. Natural blondes looking to warm up their color can get a similar look at home—no bleach needed!—with the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Crème Triple Care Permanent Hair Color in Medium Golden Blonde.

4. Dark strawberry blonde

For a hue with lots of warmth and depth, we love dark strawberry blonde hair. Not only does it look gorgeous, but if you have a darker base color, it’s also easier to achieve than lighter strawberry blonde shades—good news for anyone looking to minimize bleach damage.

5. Pastel strawberry blonde

Thanks to the resurgence of early-2000s beauty trends, pastel hair is (once again) having a moment. If you want to get in on the trend, a pastel strawberry blonde color is a fun way to give it a try. The result is beautiful and slightly edgy but not too daring—it’s basically a perfect balance. This color also works to instantly brighten up any complexion, thanks to hints of pink and gold throughout.

6. Strawberry blonde ombré

If you want your hair to make a statement, try strawberry blonde ombré. To get this look, your colorist will lighten your hair, then apply a rich, coppery strawberry blonde color at the roots. As they move toward your ends, they’ll gradually lighten the tone, creating a seamless gradient of color from root to tip.

7. Rich strawberry blonde

Light strawberry blonde hair can sometimes create too much contrast against deeper skin tones. If you want to rock a strawberry-adjacent hue but still have it feel natural, a rich strawberry blonde shade might be a better choice. This in-between hue features bronze and auburn hues in place of the standard blonde and copper, giving the color a deeper overall tone.

8. Strawberry and platinum

Adding a platinum money piece to just about any hair color is a great way to add interest to your look—and strawberry blonde hair is no exception. The bright, icy ribbons will elegantly frame your face and perfectly contrast your base color. And if you’re one of the few people with natural strawberry blonde hair, good news: All you need to get this edgy, two-toned look is a quality at-home bleach (we love the L’Oréal Paris Féria Hyper Platinum Advanced Lightening System Bleach).

9. Strawberry blonde rosé

One of the standout features of strawberry blonde hair is the soft pink tint that subtly shines through the blend. To amplify that effect, you can opt for a rose gold variation, which layers in delicate metallic pink tones for a more luminous, modern finish. This take on the shade is especially flattering for cooler skin tones, as the pink undertone helps offset excess warmth and creates a more balanced, neutral look overall. To DIY the pretty hue, we recommend the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Strawberry Blonde.

10. Bronde with strawberry blonde highlights

For a hair color with tons of dimension, opt for a bronde base with fine strawberry blonde highlights woven throughout. While bronde and strawberry blonde differ slightly in depth and tone, they complement each other beautifully, creating a dimensional color that leans warm without appearing too fiery.

11. Strawberry blonde sombré

Strawberry blonde sombré is our pick if you’re seeking a more muted hair color. It’s a fresh take on the ombré idea we shared earlier, featuring light brown roots that gradually fade into a soft strawberry blonde color toward the ends.

12. Strawberry blonde balayage

Give your natural strawberry blonde hair color a subtle boost with bright honey blonde balayage. The warm honey tones complement the red in your base color, while the balayage technique keeps the highlights soft, blended, and natural-looking. Even if you’re comfortable with at-home color, we recommend leaving this look to the pros—balayage requires a practiced hand and a precise technique to nail.

How To Maintain Strawberry Blonde Hair

Once you’ve achieved your perfect strawberry blonde hair color, you’ll likely want to do everything you can to keep it looking vibrant and healthy. Since red tones tend to fade more quickly than other hair colors, maintaining a proper haircare routine is essential. Here are some of our top tips to help you keep your color looking fresh.

1. Use a color-safe shampoo and conditioner

Unless you’re a natural blonde, going strawberry blonde generally requires lightening your strands, a process that, while essential for a bright, coppery-blonde hue, can be damaging. To help keep your mane feeling soft and healthy post-coloring, it’s a good idea to swap out your shampoo and conditioner for a reparative duo designed for color-treated hair. We recommend the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Bond Repair+ Shampoo and the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Bond Repair+ Conditioner. The former gently cleanses, while the latter smooths and detangles for sleek-looking strands. If you can, try to space out how often you lather up, too—even going an extra day or so between washes can help extend the lifespan of your color.

Once weekly, or as needed, you can also pre-treat your strands with the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Bond Repair+ Pre-Shampoo Treatment. When used in conjunction with the shampoo and conditioner, it helps rebuild damaged hair bonds to help repair damaged hair and reduce breakage.

2. Always use heat protectant

Heat-styling your hair can be damaging, but it’s sometimes a necessity. If air-drying your hair isn’t an option, be sure to prime your strands with a heat protectant to help minimize damage. We love the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Bond Repair+ Oil-in-Serum—it helps protect against temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and adds intense shine without making the hair feel greasy or weighed down. Alternatively, try the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Moisture 21-in-1 Leave-In Conditioner (pictured below). In addition to shielding against heat damage, this lightweight leave-in helps detangle, smooth, and nourish color-treated strands while boosting shine and keeping frizz at bay.

3. Deep condition weekly

Color-treated hair has a tendency to get dry, and dryness can make your strawberry blonde color look flat and lifeless. To help keep your strands hydrated—and prolong the life of your color—consider adding a deep conditioning treatment to your weekly routine. We love the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Moisture Lock Ultra Care Conditioner, since it’s designed specifically for color-treated hair. The hyaluronic acid-infused formula provides deep hydration, leaving your strands softer and smoother with each use. It also helps preserve color vibrancy, so you can rest assured your vibrant new hue goes the distance.

4. Keep an eye on brassiness

While strawberry blonde hair is supposed to be warm, it shouldn’t be overtly yellow or orange (unless that’s the look you’re going for). If your hue begins to look a bit warmer than you’d like, consider adding a purple shampoo to your routine. The L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Purple Shampoo is an excellent pick. It contains violet pigments and helps neutralize unwanted brassy orange tones to help brighten your blonde. Pair it with the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Purple Conditioner to help keep your strawberry blonde strands feeling hydrated and moisturized. Take care not to use your purple products too frequently, as doing so can tint your strands violet or make your color too cool. Once every week or two should be more than enough to maintain your color’s balanced warmth.

Editor’s note: If you’re nervous about throwing your color off-balance, a professional glossing treatment may be worth considering. During your treatment, your colorist will apply a specially formulated treatment designed to neutralize unwanted warmth while adding shine back to your strands.

Next Up: How To Go From Brown To Blonde Hair Without Damaging Your Strands

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris