8 Caramel Blonde Hair Color Ideas to Inspire Your Next Salon Visit

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Courtesy of silviadamaschinhair / Instagram

One of 2024’s biggest hair trends is leaning into effortless, gorgeous color that exudes quiet luxury. Caramel blonde, with its warm tones that shimmer like gold and cream, aligns perfectly with this “expensive hair” movement, and it’s surprisingly flattering across a range of hair types and complexions.

“Caramel color is so versatile,” says hairstylist Rogerio Cavalcante, owner of The Second Floor Salon in New York City. “I would say there are two tones for caramel hair: light and medium. The caramel color trending on social media is a mix of warm and cool tones, and it is very nuanced.”

To spark a little inspiration (and some excitement) for your upcoming salon visit, we’re showcasing a handful of caramel blonde hair colors.

Choosing The Best Caramel Blonde For You

Cavalcante notes that the hair color is typically achieved through a balayage technique and then toned with the desired shade of either light or medium caramel. Like any hair color, though, it can be perfectly customized to flatter you.

“Ultimately, the choice between warm and cool caramel blonde shades allows for a personalized and flattering expression of style, catering to a diverse range of complexions and preferences,” Cavalcante says.

Your best bet is to consider your undertones and current hair color since they’ll influence what interpretation of this trend is most flattering for you. You may also want to consider upkeep, since straying too far from your natural color may require a bit more maintenance.

When in doubt, consult with your colorist who has a wealth of knowledge about these things. Together, you can come up with the perfect hair plan.

Caramel Blonde Hair Colors

If you’re digging this luxe hair color trend, you’ll find yourself choosing between either a medium-dark blonde base and then either cool or warm-leaning tones woven in.

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Light, Warm Caramel Blonde Hair

“The lighter warm caramel blonde, with its subtle golden hues, can brighten up your complexion and create a soft, beachy effect,” Cavalcante says. For this look, you’ll start with a lighter blonde base and then incorporate warm caramel throughout. It’s great for those who already have a lighter head of hair, or for those craving a big change that takes them from dark to light.

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Light, Cool Caramel Blonde

If you prefer a cooler leaning caramel blonde, then ask your stylist to incorporate creamy, cool tones. The golden caramel hues are more subtle here, but still add a nice sense of dimension.

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Medium Caramel Blonde

Another option is to choose a balance between dark and light blonde hair. This is perfect for both those trying to move only either a little darker or a little lighter compared to their natural hair color, making growth less obvious and upkeep easier.

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Dark, Warm Caramel Blonde

Embrace both a darker blonde base and ultra-warm caramel tones. This beautifully placed balayage has a copper-inspired feel toward the top that melts into honeyed ends.

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Dark and Cool Caramel Blonde

Meanwhile, a darker take on a cool caramel blonde—which features cooler undertones—offers a heightened sense of dimension, richness, and luxury. It’s a modern and classic aesthetic.

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Warm Caramel Blonde Hair

Those with warm undertones in their complexion may find that a warm-leaning caramel blonde best complements their skin, says Cavalcante. He adds, “It can add a sun-kissed and radiant glow to their overall appearance.” Basically, it’s all about embracing your existing warmth and highlighting it through those warm, caramel-y bands of color.

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Cool Caramel Blonde

On the other hand, those with a complexion that has cool undertones may discover that cooler variations of caramel blonde hair color harmonizes better with their skin tone. You have a cool undertone if your skin has pink, red, or blue tones to it versus yellow, gold, or peach. Cavalcante calls this cool-leaning caramel blonde hair color a “chic and sophisticated” look.

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Warm & Cool Caramel Blonde Hair

If you can’t decide between the two, opt for a little bit of both cool and warm tones. This approach fuses both cool highlights and golden-y lowlights for a shimmering, multidimensional effect.

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