How to Get a Strawberry Blonde Hair Color at Home

Why choose between blonde and red hair when strawberry blonde allows you to embrace both simultaneously? This versatile hue, which features a blend of both warm red and golden blonde tones, embodies the best of both worlds. It’s warm, but not overly so; summery, but equally chic in the cooler months. Most importantly, it can flatter just about any skin tone. And it’s relatively easy to achieve—no salon experience necessary.

Here, we’ll give you the rundown on strawberry blonde hair, explain how to get the look at home and share tips for keeping your strawberry blonde hair color looking vibrant and healthy.

What Is Strawberry Blonde Hair?

Strawberry blonde hair is a mix of golden blonde and some variation of light red, like copper or auburn. While traditionally on the lighter end of the hair color spectrum, the hue—like most hair colors—can be adjusted to suit your preferences and complexion. Dark strawberry blonde hair, for example, is a bit deeper in tone (think bronde) and may be ideal for those looking for a softer hair color. More vivid variations of the shade, meanwhile, are great for those looking to embrace a brighter, bolder hue. And if you love the look but don’t want to commit to an all-over dye job, you can opt for face-framing strawberry blonde highlights (this look is particularly flattering for those with warm undertones).

How To Get Strawberry Blonde Hair

While you can hit the salon to get your dream strawberry blonde hair color, it’s not necessarily a must: with the right products, this summery hue is fairly easy to achieve at home. Below, we’re sharing a few of our favorite takes on the trend and offering recommendations on the best strawberry blonde hair dyes to use to get the look. If you need further help to figure out which shade is best for you, we recommend consulting with experts via the L’Oréal Paris Hair Color Concierge for pro tips and color recommendations.

Light strawberry blonde

Natural (or bleached) blondes seeking a lighter take on strawberry blonde hair can get the look with L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Strawberry Blonde. This at-home color kit features a blend of three vibrant tones for a dimensional, shimmering end result. After coloring your hair, use the kit’s included bonding conditioner to help strengthen and protect your strands.

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

Copper strawberry blonde

For a more vivid look, we love coppery strawberry blonde. This vibrant shade flatters fair complexions beautifully and can be achieved at home with the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Créme Permanent Triple Protection Hair Color in Medium Reddish Blonde. This strawberry blonde hair dye provides 100% gray coverage and protects hair as it colors for a rich, radiant-looking hue.

Warm strawberry blonde

Those seeking a sun-kissed, ultra-warm strawberry blonde hair color should reach for the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Light Reddish Blonde. The easy-to-use dye delivers vibrant, luminous color and resists fading for up to nine weeks. Remember to use the included conditioner after coloring your strands to help protect against fade and keep your hue shiny and vivid.

Strawberry blonde hair with highlights

If you already have red hair, consider weaving in some beautiful blonde highlights into your mane with the L’Oréal Paris Colorista At Home Hair Bleach & Lightener. The kit includes a three-pronged applicator brush that makes creating evenly-spaced highlights a breeze, even for newbies. Keep in mind that bleaching your hair can cause some damage, so you’ll want to adjust your post-coloring haircare routine accordingly (more on that in a bit).

Temporary strawberry blonde hair color

Permanently dyeing your hair can feel like a big commitment. If you want to test-drive a strawberry blonde hair color before diving in, pick up a temporary strawberry blonde hair dye, like L’Oréal Paris Colorista Hair Makeup Temporary 1-Day Hair Color Spray in Rose Gold. The ammonia-free color spray mists on, coating strands in a vibrant metallic rosy hue that lasts one day (or until your next shampoo). The lightweight spray is suitable for all hair types and textures and even works on darker base colors—no bleaching needed.

Custom 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. They can incorporate techniques like balayage (hair painting), highlights, lowlights, and toning treatments to achieve a look that’s perfectly tailored to you.

How to Care for Strawberry Blonde Hair

Red hair dyes can sometimes fade more quickly than other colors, particularly if you don’t care for your color-treated strands properly. To keep your strawberry blonde tresses looking their best, follow our expert care tips below.

1. Use a shampoo and conditioner for color-treated hair

When your hair is dyed, it’s important to replace your go-to shampoo and conditioner with a hair care system that’s specifically formulated for color-treated hair. If achieving your strawberry blonde hue requires lightening your strands, we recommend swapping your your usual products for a strengthening routine, such as the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Bond Repairing system. The lineup features three products—the 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—and helps strengthen damaged, color-treated hair.

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. You can use the pre-shampoo treatment as often as needed to help replenish and reinforce your strands.

2. Always use a heat protectant

Always remember to use a heat protectant before using styling tools like curling irons, blow dryers, and flat irons. We love the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Weightless Blow Dry Primer Heat Protectant because it offers protection against temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, it helps nourish, smooth, and protect against frizz without weighing your hair down.

Editor Tip: When possible, try to cut back on how often you use heat styling tools. Try air drying your hair halfway and heat styling the rest, or consider experimenting with a heat-free styling technique.

3. Tone your strands

Strawberry blonde color will probably need a touch-up every six to eight weeks. 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 provides a fresh tint of color and helps condition the hair for shiny, healthy-looking strands. Add it to your routine as often as once a week to maintain your color’s vibrancy and shine.

To combat fading color, you can also incorporate a glossing system, like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing Glaze, into your usual haircare routine. The shampoo cleanses without stripping color, while the in-shower glossing treatment helps seal the hair cuticle to restore the appearance of color-treated hair. Finish your routine off with the coordinating L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing Conditioner for silky, shiny-looking strands.

4. Deep condition weekly

Colored hair is often prone to dryness and dullness. To keep your strawberry blonde hair hydrated and healthy looking, consider adding the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Simply Clean Elastic Fiber Masque to your weekly routine. This conditioning mask enhances shine while nourishing each strand and providing intense hydration for renewed softness and shine. Plus, it’s sulfate-free, color-safe, and suitable for all hair types.

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

Photo Courtesy of L'Oréal Paris