How to Get Strawberry Blonde Hair Color at Home

When it comes to coveted hair colors, strawberry blonde sits at the top of the list. Perhaps that’s due in part to what a rare, natural hair color it is 一 but we’d like to argue that it’s because of how uniquely beautiful it is. If you’re looking to sport the vivid red shade, but you aren’t part of the roughly one percent of the population that is blessed to have it as their natural color* we’ve got you covered. Ahead, we’re sharing how to get strawberry blonde hair at home, along with tips to care for it so you can keep your new hair color looking vibrant and sweet.

What Colors Make Up a Strawberry Blonde Hair Color?

If you’re not familiar with what defines strawberry blonde hair, allow us to explain. It’s a gorgeous hue that combines hints of golden blonde and light, copper red for the ultimate warm shade. And like all hair colors, it can vary in depth and be customized to suit your preferences, so your version of strawberry blonde may be more red or more blond depending on what hair color looks best for your skin tone.

How to Get Strawberry Blonde Hair

While you can achieve a strawberry blonde color with tons of dimension using highlights or balayage, doing so will require a visit to the salon and most likely, bleach (if you’re starting with dark hair) and permanent dye or toner. 

However, if you’re looking for a solid shade or want to save some time and money, you can totally DIY a strawberry blonde at home. If you’re up for the task, we recommend consulting with experts via the L’Oréal Paris Hair Color Concierge, for pro tips and color recommendations. In the meantime, check out some of our hair color suggestions below to help you get the look. 

For a Reddish Strawberry Blonde Color 

For a shade of strawberry blonde that leans more red than blonde, use L’Oréal Paris Excellence Créme Permanent Triple Protection Hair Color in Medium Reddish Blonde. In addition to being a stunning medium strawberry blonde hue, this boxed dye is great for a gorgeous, at-home hair transformation. Plus, it’s ideal if you have gray hair that you’re looking to cover because it provides 100 percent gray coverage. 

For an Ultra-Warm Strawberry Blonde Color 

If you’re looking to achieve a sunny, warm strawberry blonde color, L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Light Reddish Blonde is perfect for the job. This at-home hair color kit provides a vivid color that lasts up to eight weeks without fading. 

For a Rosy Strawberry Blonde Color 

If a light, rosy shade of strawberry blonde is what you’re after, you’ve met your match with the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Coral Pink. It provides a shimmering color with tons of dimension and shine. 

Editor’s tip: To prevent any hair dye mistakes while you’re on the path to strawberry blonde strands, remember that applying petroleum jelly to your skin before dyeing your hair can help prevent staining.

For a Temporary Strawberry Blonde Color

For a temporary, strawberry blonde meets rose gold color, try L’Oréal Paris Colorista Hair Makeup Temporary 1-Day Hair Color Spray in Rose Gold. Semi-permanent dye and demi-permanent dye are the best for short-lived strawberry blonde color because they last anywhere from one to 20 washes. In particular, this one-day color lasts until your next shampoo and is a perfect way to test out the strawberry blonde waters before committing to the permanent color. 

For a Customized Strawberry Blonde Color 

For a strawberry blonde shade that’s totally unique to you, visit a professional colorist and have them create the perfect blend of colors that suit your skin tone and undertone perfectly.

How to Care for Strawberry Blonde Hair Color

To keep your strawberry blonde tresses looking their best, treat your color-treated strands with proper care by following our tips, below.

1. Use Shampoo and Conditioner for Color-Treated Hair 

When your hair has been colored, it’s important to replace your go-to shampoo and conditioner with formulas that are made for color-treated hair. L’Oréal Paris EverPure Bond Strengthening Pre-Shampoo Treatment, L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Color Care Bond Strengthening Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Bond Strengthening Conditioner are great because they’re gentle on color while strengthening the hair by reinforcing weak hair bonds and protecting against future damage. 

Start by applying the pre-shampoo treatment to your hair, leave it on for five to ten minutes, and follow up with the shampoo and conditioner as usual. 

2. Always Use Heat Protectant 

If you’re going to be styling your hair with hot tools, always remember to use a heat protectant. We love the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Weightless Blow Dry Primer, Heat Protectant because you can use it on towel-dried hair to protect against damage up to 450 degrees, and it also helps reduce frizz. If you’re going to curl or straighten your hair, try the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Frizz Killer Serum Leave-In to smooth the hair and offer heat protection.

3. Tone Your Hair 

Generally, your strawberry blonde color will need a touch-up every six to eight weeks. We recommend that you get ahead of fading color with an at-home hair toning gloss like the L’Oréal Paris Le Color Gloss One Step In-Shower Toning Gloss in Copper. This in-shower gloss works to condition the hair, boost shine and tone color in just 15 minutes — add it to your routine once a week to maintain your color’s vibrancy and shine.

To combat fading color, you can also incorporate a glossing system, like L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing Shampoo, pH Balanced and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing Conditioner, pH Balanced, into your routine. The finishing piece in this system is the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing In Shower Acidic Glaze, an in-shower glossing treatment that helps keep colored hair shiny, silky and vibrant. First, cleanse your scalp and hair with the shampoo, then spray the in-shower glaze on wet hair and let it sit for one to three minutes, (do not rinse it out) and follow up with the conditioner.

4. Use a Hair Mask

A harsh reality is that colored hair is often prone to dryness and dullness. Once a week, revive your strands by using the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Signature Masque, Color Care Hair Mask in place of your conditioner. This conditioning mask enhances shine while nourishing each strand and providing intense hydration. After shampooing, coat your strands in the mask and leave it on for five minutes before rinsing.

Next: 22 Dirty Blonde Hair Color Ideas to Spice Up Your Look

Photo Credit: Julie IG @/ juliajamessalon, Photo Design by: Sarah Duvivier

*Elgar, M, (February, 2018). Are redheads with blue eyes really going extinct?. Find an. Expert. https://findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au/news/1167-are-redheads-with-blue-eyes-really-going-extinct?