Spotted: the warm and syrupy 'maple' blonde hair colour celebs are embracing for autumn
From Nicole Kidman to Julia Roberts, we've spotted so many stars going this warm blonde shade for the season ahead.
Whether you're keen to give your sun-bleached strands a subtle but cosy refresh or to completely reinvent yourself this season, maple blonde is the celebrity-approved shade to consider.
In our experience, the shift from summer to autumn often brings a feeling of restlessness and a desire for change, especially when it comes to our hair. The sort that can only be solved with a trim, a spontaneous fringe or a colour refresh, as well as a bit of post-heat TLC from the best hair masks. Clearly, we're not alone in this, as we've spotted several celebs refreshing or completely transforming their hair, and while we tend to see coppers and rich brunette shades spike in demand, there's one slightly more unexpected shade they all seem to have in common.
'Maple blonde,' like that of strawberry beige, which is tipped to be a very popular autumn colour trend, leans away from the icy, platinum tones we've seen in years past. Instead, it embraces warmth and a bit of brassiness - and already, we've counted three stars sporting the look.
What is the maple blonde hair trend?
This sort of maple-y blonde hair colour combines rich golden tones with a touch of syrupy warmth, like its namesake syrup and the reddish tint of a maple tree's leaves. The shade has warm, coppery undertones, whilst still being blonde. It feels similar to this year's strawberry beige trend and like an evolution of 2024's Sunflower blonde trend.
As mentioned, it's proving to be quite a September favourite among celebs, with the likes of Julia Roberts and Jessica Chastain swapping their natural, copper strands for this rich blonde tone. Nicole Kidman has also debuted a warmer blonde colour at the Practical Magic 2 premiere, which we think again captures the shift towards creamier, strawberry blondes and away from cold, icier ones.
As we can see, it feels very soft and quite cosy for the season ahead, and offers a fresh contrast against all the camel trench coats, dark wool coats and chunky knit sweaters we'll all soon be wearing.
Our blonde hair must-haves
If you're currently blonde or planning to go lighter this season, having a specifically formulated shampoo for blonde hair in your routine is important for maintenance. This one from Kérastase delivers gentle cleansing and helps to illuminate your strands. It's also hyaluronic acid-infused to hydrate and condition lightened, bleached, grey, or light faux-blonde hair.
Designed to both hydrate your hair and add a lovely golden warmth, this mask from Christophe Robin is a great choice if you already have natural or faux blonde hair and want to add more of a golden, honeyed tone to it at home. The formula features a blend of nourishing and conditioning ingredients like shea and almond butters, as well as a unique blend of honey pigments and apricot oil, to add a golden gleam.
If your hair is lightened or bleached, or just feeling very dry post-summer, a hair mask like this Oribe one is a must-have. It's a treatment designed to deeply condition, repair and rebuild your strands, whilst providing UV protection to prevent further damage.
What to request for maple blonde hair
Luckily for those who want to embrace this soft, autumnal hue, there's plenty of celebrity reference photos to show your hairdresser. If you're already blonde, you can request a warmer, golden gloss colour, which will deposit a semi-permanent tint and a lustrous shine to your strands - ideal for a subtle and fairly low-maintenance hair update. Adding warmer highlights or lowlights is also a good option for adding depth and dimension.
If you have darker hair and want to go lighter, you can discuss the process with your hairdresser, who can advise the best course of action for achieving this rich, syrupy look.
