“Recession Blonde” Is This Summer’s Hottest Hair Colour, According to the Experts – POPSUGAR Australia

It’s been nearly ten years since visible roots were a hair colour trend, but according to the experts, this is all about to change. For summer 2025, gone is high shine perfect hair, instead grown-out roots are back, but they’ve had a modern update. Trending on TikTok as “recession blonde”, it has gained this moniker thanks to its lower-maintenance and cost-effective approach.

“Hair trends can often be inspired by the economic climate just as much as fashion and cultural references,” says hairstylist Tom Smith. “In a time when many people are facing financial challenges, this becomes a factor in hair colour choices too.”

It is not the first time the economic landscape has dictated our hair colour habits. The last root revival was during the recession in 2012 and the years that followed, when ombré hair was popular and led to the balayage explosion, which had most people in a chokehold until 2020.

But it’s not just us mere mortals who seem to be taking on recession blonde – celebrities like Hailey Bieber, Sofia Richie, Cara Delevingne and Vogue Williams are all showing off their roots with pride.

To find out more about the trend, how to ask your hairstylist for the look and tips for maintaining your recession blonde, we asked the experts to explain all.

Experts Featured in This Article

Tom Smith is a leading consultant, trend forecaster & hairstylist, as well as a global ambassador for Olaplex, evo, CurrentBody and Calecim Professional.

Charley Henery, is the award-winning British Colour Technician of the Year and International Artistic Director at Toni & Guy

What Is Recession Blonde?

“The recession blonde hair trend involves a blend of soft, muted blonde tones with subtle highlights, creating a look that is somewhat ‘lived in’ or ‘sun-kissed’, but with a natural, effortless vibe,” says Charley Henery, International Artistic Director at Toni & Guy. “It is a low-maintenance hair colour trend, requiring less frequent touch-ups in salon, compared to more intense, high-maintenance blonde shades.”

According to some experts, this root revival is due to consumers worrying about the cost of hair colour. “We’ve not seen this colour design popular in salons for 10-15 years,” says Smith. “This is no coincidence – ombré offers a low-maintenance, yet intentional looking option for those who want to reduce the frequency of maintenance appointments, or avoid obvious roots.”

Why is Recession Blonde So Popular For Summer 2025?

“⁠The Recession Blonde trend reflects a cultural shift towards a more laid-back, practical approach to beauty,” says Henery. “Firstly, it is low maintenance, growing out very gracefully due to the bespoke placement of highlights and root smudge, so it is an appealing choice for those who want a more relaxed hair routine, whilst also reducing the financial pressure of having a root touch-up every 6-8 weeks.

Smith agrees, “Recession blonde is an interpretation of the ‘Return of the Ombre’ trend that provides style, while offering a wallet-sensitive maintenance plan.”

By creating a more grown out blonde look, it allows you the freedom not to be tied to regimented root appointments and to embrace imperfections. “Recession blonde also gives off an understated vibe, which appeals to those wanting to look fashionable without standing out too much,” says Henery.

How to Ask Your Hair Stylist for Recession Blonde

Before you ask for a simple ombré or a root smudge, Smith has this advice: “This time around, the characteristics have changed a bit,” he says. “The fade line is aligned with the eyes/cheekbones (rather than towards the ends of the hair as it was 10+ years ago) and we’re seeing softer contrast and more natural looking tones.”

That means we are seeing less of the heavy dark roots and bright light ends of the past, and instead the contrast is far less than in 2012, “Two or three levels between lightest and darkest areas maximum,” says Smith.

“Ask your colourist for a ‘lived in’ blonde,” says Henery. “This could be created using either highlights or balayage application, blending the placement seamlessly with your natural hair and keeping the colour contrast very minimal.”

Although these aren’t the dark roots of the past, a root smudge is still important, says Henery. “It involves blending your root colour with lighter blonde shades, so your roots are slightly darker than the rest of your hair, creating a soft, subtle grown-out look. You should also request a softer, slightly warmer blonde tone rather than something icy or platinum, this will ensure the look is understated and less maintenance.”

How To Maintain Recession Blonde at Home

Maintaining your recession blonde may take fewer salon appointments, but it will mean you’ll need to spend more time caring for your hair at home to keep it looking fresh. “Consider a home gloss and using a good nourishing moisture mask regularly to keep the lighter mids and ends looking good,” says Smith. “Purple shampoo can also be a great tool if you find yellow tones show up over time.”

A super-hydrating hair mask designed to keep your colour lasting long is Maria Nila Colour Refresh Sand (£25) is packed full of argan oil, known for its frizz-fighting and restoring properties, as well as semi-permanent colour pigments to help freshen up your blonde

“It’s also important to prevent the blonde from fading from heat styling,” says Henery. “LABEL.M Fashion Edition Heat Protection Mist (£25) with moisturising vitamin B5 will give you a soft, smooth finish whilst preventing any damage from high-temperature tools such as straighteners or tongs.”

Henery warns that although you may not need to visit the salon for six months for colour appointments, it is still important to keep up with regular trims every six to eight weeks to keep your colour looking its best.

Lauren Ezekiel (she/her) is a former associate editor at PS UK, where she wrote about all things beauty and wellness. With a degree in journalism she began her career in 2008 at a leading Sunday supplement, where she climbed through the ranks to become beauty editor in 2012. Lauren is obsessed with skincare, hair and makeup, and she’s often found offering advice to innocent bystanders. A mum of two, Lauren is an advocate for the benefits of beauty and self-care for your mental well-being, which inspired her award-winning charity initiative We C U 2020. Her work has been published in Grazia, OK!, Health & Beauty, The Sun, Asda, Dare and Metro.