Strawberry blonde is a warm blonde hair colour with soft red, copper and pink undertones, somewhere between golden blonde and light red. It is lighter and softer than ginger and less brown than copper. Natural strawberry blonde is rare (estimates suggest only around 1 to 2% of people have it), so most strawberry blonde hair is created in the salon, usually by adding warm red tones to a blonde base.
This guide shows 12 strawberry blonde shades, which one flatters your skin tone, how to get the colour from different starting points, and how to stop the red tones from fading.
Strawberry Blonde vs Ginger vs Copper
| Colour | Base | Main tone | Look |
| Strawberry blonde | Light blonde | Soft red, pink, gold | Delicate, sun-kissed |
| Ginger | Light to medium | Bright orange-red | Vivid, fiery |
| Copper | Medium | Rich metallic orange-brown | Warm, intense |
| Auburn | Medium to dark brown | Red-brown | Deep, autumnal |
12 Strawberry Blonde Shades
- Classic strawberry blonde: golden blonde with a gentle red glow.
- Strawberries and champagne: a pale, pink-tinted blonde.
- Strawberries and cream: very light, creamy blonde with soft pink warmth.
- Strawberry peach: blonde with warm peach and apricot tones.
- Strawberry blush: rose-gold blonde with a pink finish.
- Copper berry: more red and copper for a bolder look.
- Bronzed strawberry: warm bronze undertones; great for olive skin.
- Mahogany strawberry: deeper red-brown roots with strawberry lengths.
- Strawberry bronde: a mix of light brown and strawberry blonde.
- Strawberry balayage: hand-painted strawberry pieces over a natural base; low maintenance.
- Strawberry sombre: a soft fade from darker roots to strawberry ends.
- Old money strawberry blonde: a glossy, expensive-looking golden-red blend.
Does Strawberry Blonde Suit You?
| Skin tone | Best strawberry blonde shades |
| Fair with cool (pink) undertones | Strawberries and cream, strawberry blush, rose gold |
| Fair to light with warm undertones | Classic strawberry blonde, strawberry peach |
| Medium or olive | Bronzed strawberry, copper berry, strawberry bronde |
| Deep | Strawberry balayage or highlights over a darker base, copper berry |
| Neutral | Most shades |
Eye colour tip: strawberry blonde makes blue and green eyes stand out, while copper-heavy versions bring out the warmth in hazel and brown eyes.
How to Get Strawberry Blonde Hair
| Starting colour | Process | Time and difficulty |
| Natural or dyed blonde | Single process: a warm red-gold gloss or toner | Quickest, easiest |
| Light brown | Lighten first, then tone strawberry | Double process; longer |
| Dark brown or black | Several lightening sessions, or balayage instead of all-over colour | Longest; ask a professional |
| Red or ginger | Soft blonde balayage to lighten and soften the red | Medium |
Salon or DIY? If you are already blonde, a box dye or semi-permanent gloss in a “strawberry blonde” shade can work. From brown or darker, see a colourist: lightening at home often turns orange or brassy and can damage hair. Bring two or three photos to your consultation and say how much red you want.
How to Keep Strawberry Blonde From Fading
- Wash less: two to three times a week with a sulfate-free, colour-safe shampoo.
- Use cool water: hot water opens the hair cuticle and lets red pigment escape.
- Use a colour-depositing product: a copper or rose-gold toning shampoo or mask once a week refreshes the warmth.
- Go easy on purple shampoo: it cancels yellow and warmth, so frequent use can dull strawberry tones.
- Protect from heat and sun: use heat protectant and a UV leave-in spray.
- Deep condition: every one to two weeks to keep lightened hair healthy and glossy.
- Book a gloss: every 4 to 8 weeks, because red tones fade faster than any other colour.
Makeup for Strawberry Blonde Hair
- Brows: soft taupe or light auburn; avoid very dark brows.
- Eyes: bronze, peach and soft brown shadows; brown mascara for a softer look.
- Cheeks: peach or apricot blush.
- Lips: coral, peachy nude or a glossy rose. Browse our beauty blog for lip ideas.
Strawberry Blonde FAQs
Is strawberry blonde a natural hair colour?
Yes, but it is rare. Most strawberry blonde hair you see is salon colour.
Is strawberry blonde considered red or blonde?
It is a blonde with red tones, so it is usually grouped as a light red or warm blonde.
How long does strawberry blonde last?
The warm tones usually start fading after 4 to 6 weeks. A gloss or toning mask brings them back.
Can brunettes go strawberry blonde?
Yes, but hair needs lightening first. Strawberry balayage is a gentler option that needs less bleach.
Sources: Davines: Strawberry blonde hair; L’Oreal Paris: Strawberry blonde hair colour ideas; Redken: Strawberry blonde formulas.
