The Orange Edit: Discover Our Summer Orange Look for 2025

Summer is the perfect time of year to turn orange – and we’re not talking about touching up your tan!

Apricot is THE summer hair colour for 2025 according to Marie Claire, and we agree 100%. But as the home of vivid, statement-making colour, we’ve turned up the intensity with a shade that’ll make your Apricot hair sizzle in the summer sunshine.

So if you’re ready to discover a brilliant new holiday hairstyle for your summer getaway, we’ll show why orange is the way to go.

This is The Orange Edit.

The theme behind our Orange Edit was all about the freedom of the summer season. Bold colour, chic clothing, beautiful flowers, dirt tracks – you know the vibe.

Captured in a vintage Super 8 film style, this shoot brings that 70s nostalgia with a warm, grainy effect that really elevated this incredible shade and set – including hyper-realistic human-sized flower models!

Our striking orange look, Amber Bloom, was created by the amazing Amy Woods, colour expert and stylist at Orla Salon (@orla_salon). Showcased in style by our lovely model Maja (@maja.jpeg), Amy worked her magic to show what our semi-permanent orange hair dyes can do in the right hands.

Here’s how Amber Bloom was born…

Amber Bloom lets our zesty orange hair colours blossom like never before. It was designed by Amy to be a slightly edgier take on the Apricot hair trend – vibrant, punchy, and with just the right nod to summer softness.

Working off a base of Sunflower from the Summer Yellow Edit, Amy applied our fiery Tangerine tone at the roots of Maja’s hair. That infused her locks with deeper, sunset-orange tones that complemented the previous bright yellow hues.

Amy followed this by applying our lighter, warmer Apricot shade onto the ends. This balayage technique created a more natural, sun-kissed finish that blended seamlessly with the Tangerine – adding soft dimension and depth to the overall look.

Rounded off with Apricot-coloured wefts and curled in a loose wave to add depth and volume to Maja’s shorter hairstyle, Amber Bloom is a look bursting with life and full of flavour – a beautiful summer hair colour for the warm weather months.

Check out the colour application video below to see how we created both ‘Amber Bloom’ and ‘Golden Hour’ (the style from our Summer Yellow Edit):

And here’s the final reveal showcasing our Orange Edit and Yellow Edit together:

Amber Bloom captures the true spirit of summer – a bright summer orange that makes the on-trend Apricot look more vibrant, wearable and built for impact.

But if you’d like to take your summer orange shade in a different direction, why not try another of Amy Woods’ stunning creations?

Created for our 2024 Cube Shoot, Peachy Bloom blends our Apricot, Peach and Poppy Red tones to create a truly show-stopping look that glows on our model Mia.

Richer and more fiery than Amber Bloom, Peachy Bloom is ideal for those looking to add more edginess and depth to their summer aesthetic, and complements a summer wardrobe full of clean lines, bold accessories, and a touch of attitude.

Watch Amy create Peachy Bloom – and see why she chooses Directions every time:

If Amber Bloom or Peachy Bloom still don’t fit your summer style, then you can always rely on the Directions community for even more summer orange hair looks to get your inspiration flowing:

#1 Peachy Copper

If you prefer a tamer, more understated take on the classic orange tone, this copper-like hair colour takes the strawberry blonde shade to another level with a trio of Directions dyes.

Created using Apricot, Peach and White Toner, this cute summer hairstyle is ideal for those who want a more natural colour, but make a statement at the same time!

#2 Solar Flare

To unleash your inner fire, try this incredible layered effect for your summer style.

Starting with Poppy Red at the roots before flowing into Peach at the tips, this seamlessly blended look is sure to steal the spotlight at any festival or summer party you attend.

#3 Molten Orange

Finally, for those wanting that ultimate orange glow-up, this neon shade is brighter than any sunshine we’ll see all year round!

Made with a combo of Tangerine and Fluorescent Orange, this bold, ultra-saturated look is for the most expressive personalities.

While summer might bring sunshine, sea swims and outdoor adventures, it can also be the most damaging season for coloured hair.

UV rays from the sun act like bleach, accelerating colour fade. Add the drying effects of chlorine, salt water and heat styling, and your hot orange hair can quickly look dull or brassy.

Here are three essential tips to preserve your orange look all summer long:

1. Rinse hair before swimming

Wetting your hair with clean, fresh water before diving into a pool or ocean helps prevent it from absorbing chlorine or salt. But use cool, lukewarm water when you do – hot water speeds up the fading process.

2. Use colour-protecting shampoos and conditioners

Harsh detergents in most shampoos can strip colour faster. Opt for colour-protecting shampoos and conditioners specially formulated to lock in tone and moisture.

3. Limit heat styling and deep conditioning

Heat tools can intensify summer’s drying effects. Try heatless styling options when possible to better nourish colour-treated strands and maintain vibrancy.