Soft Maple Blonde: Autumn’s Warmest Blonde
As the weather cools, blondes get warmer. Soft maple blonde is the shade of the moment: a golden, syrupy blonde with a hint of amber that looks sun-warmed rather than bleached. It has a nostalgic 90s feel, and it is far easier to wear in a London autumn than icy platinum.
What Is Soft Maple Blonde?
Think of maple syrup held up to the light. The base is a mid to light golden blonde, with softly warm, dimensional pieces running through it. It is warmer than butter blonde and richer than honey blonde, with a touch more amber and less yellow. The result is cosy and glowing without turning orange.
Who Does It Suit?
Soft maple blonde flatters warm and neutral skin tones in particular, and it is a lovely step up for brunettes who want to go lighter without committing to a cool blonde. If you are coming from a creamy shade like crème brûlée blonde, you will find it a natural move deeper for autumn and winter.
How We Create It
We usually lighten with soft, blended highlights or balayage to build gentle dimension, then tone to the right golden-amber balance. The toner is the secret: too cool and the warmth disappears, too warm and it tips into brass. Your colourist will pick the exact tone for your skin and your starting colour. Lighter, warmer blondes also grow out softly, which makes them lower maintenance than cool blondes.
Keeping the Warmth Glowing
Warm blondes stay warm, but they can still dull or turn brassy. To keep maple looking fresh:
- Use a gentle sulphate-free shampoo and a regular mask.
- Refresh your tone with a gloss every six to eight weeks. See our guide to hair toners and glossing treatments.
- Rinse and filter away hard water minerals where you can. Read our hard water defence guide.
- If it starts to look brassy, our post on why colour goes brassy explains what to do.
Ready for a warmer blonde? Book at Oxford Street | Book at Covent Garden and we will find your perfect maple.
