Expensive blonde is the sun-kissed hair trend we all need for spring

Get golden hour every hour with this new look

 Close up shot of wavy, blond hair. - stock photo
(Image credit: Getty Images / Andreas Kuehn)

We’ve got an important PSA for all trend lovers, blonde is officially back. While expensive brunette had its moment, with the likes of Hailey Bieber, JLo, and Chrishell Stause all ditching their iconic blonde locks—leaving many of us fearing our light hair was out—it seems blonde is also getting the premium treatment. Meet 'Expensive Blonde': the sunkissed, multi-tonal look taking over Instagram.

For the natural and salon-made blondes out there, things got a little scary in 2021. All our favorite blonde celebs started going brunette, and we must admit the brown box dyes were starting to look very tempting—but it seems blonde is making a comeback in 2022.

Expensive Blonde, like expensive brunette, is all about low-maintenance and natural-looking hair, that has a mix of rich tones that could only be achieved by the experts, hence ‘expensive.’ It’s multi-dimensional as opposed to one, block color that has you traipsing back to the salon every four months for a root touch-up.



As Doll HQ hairstylist, Faye Riley explains, it has both lighter and warmer shades: “The high and low lights need to be expertly applied, so a box dye at home would not be able to create this look. When the color is applied correctly, it’s a low maintenance natural look that of course, looks expensive!”

Repping this new honey blonde trend is the likes of Gigi Hadid, who dabbled in brunette but has returned once more to blonde. Actress Jessica Alba has also debuted a gorgeous warm blonde look, as has Selling Sunset’s Chrishell Stause.

How to get expensive blonde hair? 

This warm, sunny look is perfect as we head for the warmer months (they could not come fast enough) as it adds the perfect golden hue to your face, but as Riley says the whole point of this trend is there is a mix of tones, so really you need to pay your hairstylist a visit. 

She adds: “This look would best suit people who already have blonde hair as if you head to the salon with dark brunette hair, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to achieve the golden blonde ‘expensive’ look with just one visit, so keep your expectations realistic and discuss your desired outcome with your stylist.” This, of course, doesn’t mean you can’t get this look if you have dark hair, it just means it will take a little longer to achieve the look.

Riley also reminds us that there are so many blonde shades to choose from, and an expert will be able to help you find the perfect colors that would best suit your skin tone and hair.

Haircare is also important if you’re dying your hair, make sure you chat to your stylist about the best treatments, like Opalex or hair masks, to keep your locks nourished and healthy.

If you're thinking about trying this trend, here are all the inspo pics to take to your next hair appointment... 

1. Gigi Hadid

2. Kristen Stewart

3. Jessica Alba

4. Chrishell Stause

5. Matilda Djerf

6. Camille Razat

Naomi Jamieson
Lifestyle News Writer

Naomi is a Lifestyle News Writer with the Women's Lifestyle team, where she covers everything from entertainment to fashion and beauty, as well as TikTok trends for Woman&Home, after previously writing for My Imperfect Life and GoodTo. Interestingly though, Naomi actually has a background in design, having studied illustration at Plymouth University but lept into the media world in 2020, after always having a passion for writing and earned her Gold Standard diploma in Journalism with the NCTJ.


Before working for Future Publishing’s Lifestyle News team, she worked in the Ad production team. Here she wrote and designed adverts on all sorts of things, which then went into print magazines across all genres. Now, when she isn’t writing articles on celebs, fashion trends, or the newest shows on Netflix, you can find her drinking copious cups of coffee, drawing and probably online shopping.