11 summer hair trends that are perfect for the hot weather

We don’t want to jinx it, but it seems like summer (with actual sunshine) has finally arrived! Once you’ve slathered on the SPF and decided on your summer nails, it’s time to pick from the incoming summer hair trends.

Unsurprisingly, bobs are back (did they ever leave?), in the form of the Pageboy and Riviera – effortless styles that are perfect for comfort and ease in the stifling heat. Bored of bobs? There’s an even shorter style that might tickle your fancy instead. Meanwhile, in hair colour trends, bold and brash colours have been switched out for more muted tones that come to life in the sun.

Here are 11 summer hair trends for 2025 that are set to define the season.

Ghost Blonde

Like no-makeup makeup for your hair, ghost blonde is the subtle hair colour trend that we’ve already been seeing everywhere on the likes of Blackpink’s Lisa and Bella Hadid. “Ghost blonde is a barely there blonde tinge added to darker blonde, light brown or brunette hair, in super-faint strands,” says hair stylist Jason Collier.

A low-maintenance (read: easy) transformation, strands of blonde in brunette or dark blonde hair add an interesting dimension that glows in the sunshine. “It's not full-on highlights, but more of a lifted glow, like natural sunlight catching your crown,” Jason adds. Ghost blonde catches in the light and adds dimension, without screaming ‘I’ve had my hair done.'”

Hair Hardware

Coined by leading hairstylist and trend forecaster Tom Smith, hair hardware is the only accessory trend you need to know about this summer. A punkier version of last summer’s cute flower claw clip, hair hardware is the metal alternative. Think decorative pins, ponytail cuffs, statement brooches, or smatterings of pearls throughout the hair.

“It works just as well for minimalists as it does for maximalists,” Tom says on dipping your toe into the trend. “Whether you’re adding a sleek metal clip to a ponytail or layering multiple decorative pins into a braided look, hair hardware is a simple way to add interest and individuality.”

The best part about it? You don’t need to spend a penny in order to achieve the look. “Vintage brooches, earrings, or even belt buckles can be repurposed in clever ways,” advises Tom on utilising items already in your wardrobe. “The key is to be creative and choose items that add interest without overwhelming the hair.”

Stepford Set

Any brides-to-be or wedding attendees this summer, this is the one for you. Cropping up on red carpets – from the Met Gala to Golden Globes – earlier this year, gorgeously coiffed vintage-inspired hair that recalls your favourite Hollywood starlets. Referred to by Tom as the Stepford Set, you’ll have recently spotted the style on Lana Del Rey, created by hairstylist Anna Cofone, which she coins the Country Curl Coquette.

“I have consistently drawn inspiration from classic Hollywood icons like Veronica Lake, Rita Hayworth and Lauren Bacall,” Anna tells GLAMOUR on the inspiration behind the romantic style. “It’s about volume, curls or waves and accessories.”

With a little work and patience, the perfectly placed curls can be achieved at home, too. “I love using the Authentic Beauty Concept Flawless Primer for hold and Tymo Curlpro Plus for volume,” she says. “Use primer on the roots to create smooth, hydrated waves with volume and a deep side parting. Set the curls using a curling iron, then brush out and set using a medium-hold hairspray.”

Muted Auburn

An evolution of the bright copper tones that were everywhere last year, this year’s summer hair colour to know is Muted Auburn. A softer version that can be easy for different hair colours to achieve due to its warm tones, Tom says that the style “suits a huge variety of skin tones while helping the hair look healthier and makes the wearer stand out from the crowd”. Don’t believe him? Look no further than the slew of celebs who are already donning the colour themselves, from Keke Palmer and Ravyn Lenae to Emma Roberts and Lizzo.

To keep your newly dyed locks looking red hot all summer long, Tom advises topping up the tone with pigmented conditioners described as chestnut or soft copper. Try Christophe Robin Shade Variation Mask in Warm Chestnut or Chic Copper and shine all summer long.

The FitPix

Don’t worry, bob haircut fans, you’re still at the top of 2025’s hairstyle leaderboard – but there is a new shorter style on the horizon for those who are desperate to shear off more hair. Enter: The FitPix.

Coined by Anita Rice, co-founder of Buller and Rice, the new polished pixie cut is perfect for those yearning for a hair-free summer for their shoulders or those who love to work out. “It’s short, textured, and doesn’t need a whole lot of styling, so it’s great if you’re active, working out, or just prefer to keep things easy,” she tells GLAMOUR. “There’s still a bit of length to play with, as you can lift the fringe off the face or leave it more relaxed.”

Already cropping up on celebs such as Emma Stone, Iris Law, Emma Chamberlain and Brie Larson, styling products are your BFF in maintaining the effortless style. “A small amount of Davines This Is A Texturising Serum offers lightweight hold, or Davines This Is A Strong Moulding Clay gives extra hold and texture without heaviness,” Anita says. “It’s also a nice base if you want to try out a bold colour or subtle highlights, as a shorter cut carries that well.”

Colourful Balayage

There’s something about colourful hair in the summer that just feels right. A playful twist on the balayage technique – a freehand painting technique to add dimension via more natural highlights – this summer, a colourful balayage is the safe way to carefully tread into colour without fully dyeing your hair Transformative Teal (spoiler: for 2026’s Colour of the Year). Instead, flashes of reds, oranges and purples amp up your natural hair to give it a new dimension, while remaining as subtle (or as bold) as you dare to go. A versatile style that works for long or short, light or dark, thick or fine hair – what are you waiting for?

Riviera Bob

It’s hard to imagine a summer going by without a new bob haircut emerging. Going hand in hand with hot weather, the short cut will seemingly never go out of style. This time around, it’s the Riviera bob that you need to know about.

Already a hit with Kaia Gerber, Kylie Jenner, Hailee Steinfeld and Khloe Kardashian, as the relaxed, younger sister to the Italian bob, the Riviera bob helps you achieve the voluminous shape you’d want from a bob – but has a more lived-in feel to give it softness and movement. “The ends should be subtly shattered rather than blunt,” says Tom on the difference between the two styles. “A centre parting will give it a youthful feel while a side parting can add glamour and structure.”

Soft Press

This summer, leave the super sleek silhouette of the silk press behind and welcome a style that is easier on the hair and embraces your natural texture. The Soft Press (also known as the Fluffy Press) is the best of both worlds.

Seen on Solange, SZA and Tracee Ellis Ross, the Soft Press doesn’t require constant upkeep to keep it bone straight, which means less chance of heat damage as well as more volume than a traditional silk press.

As always with any hairstyle that requires heat to achieve, heat protectant is essential. Fenty Hair The Protective Type or Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protective Hair Primer are great choices for protecting the hair while providing much-needed moisture.

Honey Bronde

When Bella Hadid speaks, we listen. So, when she debuted her new honey bronde hair colour at Cannes Film Festival – we immediately announced that it was the summer hair trend to know. The lovechild of blonde and brunette, there’s a whole spectrum of shades this colour offers depending on the light you’re in.

“The goal,” explains Sam Burnett, owner and creative director of Hare & Bone, “is natural, multidimensional colour with a radiant honey glow.” Whether you’re jumping straight to honey bronde, or slowly making your way there after multiple salons visits, be sure to maintain the colour for full impact all summer long. “Don’t skip regular salon gloss or toner appointments to maintain that perfect bronde hue and shine,” Sam advises.

Pageboy Bob

Now we’re spoiling you, with not just one summer bob haircut, but two. If the Riviera bob isn’t quite as relaxed and effortless as you’d like, the Pageboy bob is the equivalent of lying horizontally – a modern reimagining of the 60s style you would have seen on The Beatles.

The 2025 version of this nape-revealing cut maintains the signature rounded shape, but trades the blunt fringe for a more textured finish – “transforming the once rigid style into something more versatile,” Hershesons stylist Elliot Bute says.

What that looks like is up to you. You can go more classic by mixing together the Pageboy bob with the super rounded French bob, opt for a sleeker style with extra blunt edges, or embrace your texture for a cooler approach. If it’s good enough for Taylor Hill, Nicole Kidman, and Sabrina Elba, it’s good enough for us.

Neapolitan Hair

Is there anything that feels more appropriate for the summer than a giant scoop of Neapolitan ice cream? Except with this hair trend, the chocolate, vanilla and strawberry flavours transform into brunette, blonde and pink highlights. This look works particularly well for natural brunettes, adding blonde and pink layers to bring some dimension, but anyone can achieve it with a bit more work. Go bold with statement stripes or more demure by blending the tricolour tones into each other for a softer look.