“Cherry Blonde” Is the Cool Girl Hair Color to Try This Fall

We know “Cherry Bomb,” but what about ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-cherry blonde? Georgia May Jagger, that was a free idea if you ever want to pursue a musical career.

If you’ve seen an abundance of not-quite-pink, not-quite-peach, and not-quite-blonde hair on your Instagram feed lately, you’re not alone—and I’m happy to announce there’s a name for the gorgeously soft shade. “Cherry blonde” is the season’s current cool girl color, and yes, it is different than strawberry blonde or a classic King Kylie pink.

“Recent years have seen an explosion of red and copper being the It Girl hair color. Cherry blonde is a new take on this because it offers a fun, fresh feel of both red and blonde tones, combining warmth and vibrancy without being too bold or unnatural,” says colorist Jacob Sirianno. “The blend of red and blonde makes it a versatile color that flatters a wide range of skin tones, and it’s a great way for people to experiment with reds without fully committing to a deeper or bolder shade. The look feels edgy yet soft, making it appealing to today’s beauty trends and allowing clients to have some fun while keeping it sophisticated and cool.”

Ahead, everything you need to know about the shade—including how to get it yourself.

What Is Cherry Blonde Hair?

Celebrity colorist Nicole Kahlani describes cherry blonde as a “soft golden copper with peach hues and washed pink tones throughout.”

“It’s more playful than ‘strawberry blonde,’ as it has flashes of raspberry pink,” she explains. “It is more natural-looking than pink because it sits over a light copper base, creating a soft, washed-out blush of pink.”

Sirianno also highlights the shade’s “natural, sun-kissed warmth” as opposed to the artificiality of a candy-pink tone. If you need a visual, look no further than Jagger circa last fall and winter or stylist Tina Leung. Or, if a ripe red cherry is throwing off your imagination, think of a cherry blossom.

Why is cherry blonde trending?

According to Kahlani, light coppers and strawberry blondes are perfect for the fall months because they flatter all skin tones during the colder season. Pink is included here—it looks good on everyone and requires minimal commitment because it fades back to blonde so nicely.

So why cherry blonde? And why now? It’s the perfect mixture of *all* this goodness. And as “Lana Del Rey also brings back her strawberry blonde locks and Chappell Roan displays her copper spirals,” as the artist puts it, “cherry blonde is a stunning combination of the two.” Don’t believe us? According to Pinterest’s fall trend report, searches for the shade are up 6300%.

How to Get Cherry Blonde Hair

If you’re looking for an exact recipe for Cherry Blonde, Kahlani recommends bleaching the hair with Wella Blondor with a low peroxide to lift and avoid any white tones. Next, she’d use Wella Color Touch in shades 9/73, 9/36, and 8/73 to tone before finishing with Bleach London’s temporary Gobby Pink mixed with Scotch Mist to create a “soft ash raspberry hue.” (FYI, Bleach London’s Instagram page is a great place to go for cherry blonde inspo—Jagger is co-owner.)

In the weeks leading up to your next appointment, Kahlani says to use a sulphate-free shampoo and a K18 Molecule Repair Mask to maintain hair condition and color, and a mix of Bleach London Awkward Peach and Rose conditioner to help the shade last. “This color would look great on a high, warm blonde balayage, honey highlights, or light copper tint,” she adds. “After that, I would tone the hair with a raspberry wash of pink.”

And if you want your stylist to take the reigns fully? (It’s never a bad idea.)

“It’s important to emphasize that you want a balance between red and blonde tones, with an emphasis on warm, coppery hues instead of pink undertones,” says Sirianno. “A warm red undertone will give more of the true cherry blonde tone. It’s a great shade to play with the placement of the cherry blonde, the vibrancy, and depth of the tone throughout the hair.”

While a color-protecting shampoo and conditioner will help you preserve the color’s vibrancy, he notes that an at-home color depositing conditioner may make your shade too pink. It’s also important to lower your heat on styling tools and to use heat protectants (always!).

“Red tones tend to fade faster than blonde, so the cherry part of the color will likely soften over time, potentially leaving behind more golden blonde or even pinkish hues depending on the underlying tones,” the artist adds. “Regular touchups every six to eight weeks may be necessary, especially for the vibrancy. A quick in-salon gloss can be a great way to add in the richness of the cherry tones in between highlight appointments.”

Get down [to the salon] ladies, you’ve got nothin’ to lose.