Is your mirror crying out to you, saying that it needs something new before pumpkin-spice season comes? I have compiled five late-summer colors that have been stealing my heart and my group chat, weeks ago. Brunette glow-ups, wine-tinted waves, and the rest of the finishes I will be saving when August golden evenings begin to interfere with my dedication to simply trimming the ends. Tap to scroll, swoon and perhaps screenshot to your colorist?
Sunkissed Espresso Layers
Face-framing layers, long and melting from deep espresso at the roots into a hazelnut sheen toward the tips, are catching every late-afternoon light as though it were the last rays of the sunset.
A gloss-only update, say, Redken Shades EQ in 04NB, keeps this shine at full blast without hauling you back to the salon every three weeks.
On myself, I adore this on friends who are desperate to be brunette but still need depth; it is the low-key sister of balayage.
Still on the fence? Nikki Lee, celebrity colorist, refers to espresso tones as the best transition between beach hair and fall richness, and I would have to agree.
Mocha Ribbon Highlights
Mocha roots curl into caramel ribbon lights that spark out of every blow-dried wave, essentially the hair version of iced coffee with an extra oat milk.
I have Olaplex No. 4P in the shower to tone out any brass without taking away those ribbons of warmth.
When I tested this palette before a friend’s August ceremony, the photographer said it read “expensive brunette” on every shot—hello, august wedding hair color inspo!
And in case commitment frightens you, tell your colorist you want teasylights; they grow out without any problems and that is a luxury to procrastinators.
Glass-Black Wavy Bob
A chin-length bob with patent-leather-like inky black gloss is short, stylish, and unashamedly bold.
I mix a pea-size of IGK Mistress with Color Wow Dream Coat to prevent frizz and a little humidity is not going to dull that mirror-ball finish.
Confession: I cut my hair to this length in August last year and people I did not know would ask me which runway I had walked off. When you need Ideas short and the best hair color for august that serves as a statement accessory too- this is it.
Mulberry-Wine Midlength
Imagine a luscious, lush mashup of merlot and magenta cascades over breezy, curtain-brushing depths-bright, but dark enough to be appropriate at the end of summer.
Pro tip: Davines Alchemic Red Conditioner will pamper the pigment between salons too.
I attempted a similar tone at the festival circuit last year, and the flattery out-muscled the headliner-trend alert approved.
Color expert Tracey Cunningham names berry tones one of the best late summer Trends since they will turn into a beautiful rosewood in fall. Who doesn’t love a built-in transition?
Cool-Chocolate Blowout
That model-off-duty blowout has a cool chocolate base with whisper-thin ash ribbons to give it some extra lift, but not flat.
Once a week I use Kerrastase Chroma Absolu Masque instead of normal conditioner; it closes cuticles and extends the silvery undertones.
And in case you are a brunette in need of polish without the upkeep of full highlights, this is back-from-vacay glow in its most subtle form, which is exactly what brunette august readers who prefer their luxury under the radar need.
Soft Midnight Bob
Midnight-black waves are velvet-soft and barely brush the collarbone, adding volume without effort to every head-tilt, ideal to those who want depth, but not to go full goth.
I maintain the gloss a weekly rinse in K18 PEPTIDE PREP Detox Shampoo followed by a smear of Oribe Supershine. Zero dull days, even in late-summer humidity.
Talking real: when you are on the hunt of hair color ideas for brunettes august, this darker-than-dark brown will carry you through August sunsets and September sweaters, with no embarrassing grow-out line in sight. What’s not to love?
Cotton-Candy Quartz Lob
Pastel pink is dreamy and quartz shimmer is tumbling down a blunt lob that is practically asking to be photographed during golden hour and go viral.
I am a fan of Overtone Pastel Pink Conditioner to do at-home top-ups; ten minutes, shower steam, and I am done.
This tone hits the Trends nail on the head of adventurous blondes- yes, it checks that august hair color ideas blonde box with a wink. Dare you to screenshot for your colorist tonight!
Saffron Ponytail Swirl
Saffron strands are spicy and are swept up into a high pony with loose ribbons that fall down in a swooshy way and glow against the leather-jacket coolness–late-summer confidence at its peak, right?
According to colorist Aura Friedman, this burnished copper is what she calls sunset in motion, and I would be all too happy to RSVP to that hair color moment at an august wedding, just imagine it on a silk slip dress.
I keep tote-sized Moroccanoil Treatment Light in my tote to tame flyaways as the evening breeze blows up, teeny tendency, massive shine results.
Vanilla-Chai Fringe Bob
The face is framed by a creamy vanilla-chai blonde bob with airy curtain fringe, like the morning light, soft but very serious polished.
Blondes everywhere: Olaplex No. 4P Blonde Enhancer eliminates brass and is a barrier against late-August sun on your fine ends.
My stylist claims the color suits all skin undertones since it is neither butter nor beige, but a combination of both, which I think is the beauty cheat code. Is this your new best hair color in august?
Rusty-Ginger Wave Crop
Muddy ginger encounters rusty notes on a messy crop wave, so imagine cinnamon sunset benefiting without the seasonality pressure alarm.
In case you are looking at Ideas but are in need of a little heat, add Davines Alchemic Copper Mask to your hair once a week; this is the secret ingredient to that burnished pop.
Short anecdote: I wore a similar color in July and people I did not know told me I had just returned to Provence, presumably because rusty ginger has the same effect on strangers as a vacation does, even when you are waiting in line to get coffee. Why not ride that wave through Labor Day?
Smoky-Lilac Luxe Lob
My latest obsession? A cool smoky-lilac lob that appears like moonlight in a bottle of your locks- silvery at the top and fading to a light lavender at the ends.
Purple shampoos are not always enough, and I use Matrix Total Results So Silver Mask once a week; it maintains the shine but the brass at a minimum.
To be honest, this color is a perfect fit in the “grown-up mermaid” aesthetic and would perfectly fit in the Trends we continue to pin under August 2025 hair color ideas.
Honey-Oat Bronde Swoop
Here is a toasted honey-oat bronde bob with a dramatic side swoop, think sun-kissed, but make it office-presentation polished.
I precondition Color Wow Dream Filter with each shampoo to prevent minerals in water that ruin that buttery shine.
When you want Ideas blonde that will still flatter darker roots, this bronde mix is your low-stress ticket.
Mushroom-Cocoa Sleek Layers
These poker-straight layers have soft mushroom undertones that fuse with cocoa mid-lengths, making it ideal to those who desire understated chic without the maintenance of highlights.
Stylist Jenna Perry refers to it as latte brunette, and I understand why: it is elegant but casual, like your daily dose of oat-milk coffee. Make it shiny by adding a couple of drops of Kerrastase Elixir Ultime on wet ends- believe me.
Plum-Velvet Power Length
Waist length smooth locks bordering on plush plum velvet-enough to air the boardroom, lighthearted to carouse the rooftop.
I use dpHUE Gloss+ in Purple between color services; ten minutes after, the tone appears to be poured.
If you desire to find a risky but wearable shade under august hair color ideas brunette? Consider this your sign.
Wild Berry Dip-Dye Bob
Hot-berry ends crash into dark chocolate roots on this blunt bob-a dip-dye that speaks softly of festival spirit and makes the grow-out forgiving.
I keep Overtone Extreme Pink conditioner in my gym bag; a rinse makes that electric color come back in a flourish quicker than you can say Ideas.
So, would you wear this color to a late summer city wedding or wait until your next weekend road trip? Either way, it’s pure august hair color joy.
Charcoal-Silver Money-Piece Wave
This windblown midi lob has smoky charcoal roots that blend into icy silver money pieces, which give every toss of my head that cool-girl glimmer that August nights require.
I treat the streaks to Redken Color Extend Blondage Mask once a week to maintain the contrast, no dingy yellow, please.
In case you are lusting after Ideas brunette but desire a more edgy pop to drink rooftop cocktails, then this two-tone design fits snugly under the August 2025 hair color ideas umbrella without going full fantasy.
Cognac-Curl Glam Bob
A sculpted bob is crowned with rich cognac curls that fall somewhere between Hollywood siren and, let us have iced lattes before brunch.
To maintain definition, without it becoming matte, I mix Bumble & Bumble Curl Reactivator with a dollop of Ouai Hair Oil so that my curls still have a fun swagger (as they did when wearing my august hair color).
To be totally frank, this color is my go-to secret weapon when it comes to late-summer weddings: it looks luxurious on camera, it complements sun-kissed skin, and it looks great when it grows out once the weather turns to sweater weather.
Butter-Blonde Beach Chop
Buttery blonde waves brush the collarbones, and it is almost asking to be spritzed with sea-salt and whisked away on a weekend.
I use Olaplex No. 4P to maintain the tone creamy and not brassy and spritz R+Co Sun Catcher Leave-In to protect against UV when the sun is at its glaring best.
In case you are looking august hair color ideas blonde that is still low-key, pin this chop to your inspo board, and then send it to your stylist.
Mocha-Root Espresso Blowout
Mocha mids are sweeter with roots that turn into dark-roast roots, and in digital form, it calls up sepia-tinged memories of a classic blowout–hitting the boardroom at nine and rooftop at five.
A pea-sized amount of Kerrastase Elixir Ultime rubbed through the ends punches up shine and tames those humidity flyaways.
It suits the hair color concepts of brunettes august brief so perfectly that I have persuaded two friends to give up their balayage touch-ups and join the mocha club, and maintenance has never been nicer.
Cashmere Brunette Silk Lengths
Cashmere-brown lengths of glass fall below the waist, and each movement seems a slow-motion hair-commercial moment.
Every other Sunday, I swear by dpHUE Gloss+ in Dark Brown; it is my stay-home spa moment that seals in that liquid glow.
Want Ideas to get you through the late-August heat to cozy-cardigan season? This high-end brunette is the runway-tested solution–there is no color roulette involved.
