Vanilla Latte Blonde Is on Tap as Winter’s Chicest Hair Color

A blonde roast vanilla latte might be your go-to order at Starbucks, but it’s also becoming a trending hair color in its own right. “Vanilla latte blonde is a soft, creamy blonde that sits perfectly between warm and neutral. It has a milky vanilla base with subtle beige and light golden undertones, blended with some lowlights for dimension,” explains professional hair artist Sean Michael. He describes the overall vibe of vanilla latte blonde as “lived-in, luminous and very natural.”

Celebrity hair artist Chris Weber says vanilla latte blonde is perfect for anyone who wants to try a warmer shade that won’t end up looking brassy or dull. “It’s all about the balance of shine and warmth. A tint of gold will give your hair the luscious, beautiful shine,” says Weber.

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What to ask for in the salon to get vanilla latte blonde

The experts both encourage bringing reference photos to show your colorist exactly what you’re looking for. Michael says, when you’re in the salon, you “should ask for a soft, dimensional blonde with a creamy beige-vanilla tone, not a bright or icy blonde. Keywords to use are neutral-warm, low contrast, natural depth at the root and glossy finish.”

Michael encourages anyone looking to get this shade just right to ask their colorist “about maintaining dimension with subtle lowlights and a custom gloss because that’s what keeps the color looking expensive and not flat.” Weber notes that the addition of a touch of gold will give the color that perfect vanilla glow up, so be sure to discuss that with your colorist as well. Surprisingly, he adds that less toning is essential to nailing this shade.