Lana Del Rey's 'Desert Sand Blonde' Is The Most Coveted Hair Color Trend Of 2024

Lana Del Rey, Songstress, Queen, Mother, and Goddess Divine, has exhibited a new hair color and we are standing at attention. While headlining Coachella 2024, the icon arrived on a motorcycle to perform her set. There was so much about it that dazzled us; her arrival alone was epic. She wore a glittering blue mini-dress, and then there was her hair. Del Rey, typically a brunette, showed up rocking a blonde 'do, and the look was perfection. The color, fitting for the desert of Indio, California, was aptly called "desert sand blonde." Naturally, we had to know more. Del Rey's colorist, Tracey Cunningham, explained where the name came from. "Lana calls it 'desert blonde' because we did the change for Coachella," Cunningham explained to Byrdie. "It reminded us of the desert sand and we were really inspired by the location of the shows."

Desert sand blonde has quickly become one of the hottest blonde hair trends of 2024, thanks to Del Rey's influence. Blonde in all of its various hues is trending hard, from the vivid platinum tones of luminescent blonde to the neutral, cool vibes of linen blonde. Desert sand blonde offers something for those looking for a warmer blonde, a little brighter than honey, but not as dark as caramel. If the queen of the desert approves, then we're intrigued.

Lana Del Rey's desert sand blonde might be particularly intriguing if you have dark hair because we've seen the songwriter herself go from brunette to blonde, so we know it's possible. Del Rey's colorist, Tracey Cunningham, told Byrdie that anyone can be blonde, so long as you find the right tone. This is why a quality colorist is so crucial for the process. Cunningham warned that going blonde from brunette can be arduous. "It takes time to get to the perfect color safely without compromising your hair," the colorist explained. "You have to be prepared to live with an in-between color for a bit, in order to have your dream hair." Cunningham said that it took three days to lighten Del Rey's hair, and that they relied on Olaplex products to keep it healthy. Colorist, Kattia Solano, told Good Housekeeping that going from brunette to blonde takes one to three sessions to achieve the desired results, as a general estimate. 

Cunningham explained what it took to get Del Rey's hair lighter. First, she stripped the "Honeymoon" singer's hair with clear color. Then she added highlights as well as lowlights, and completed the process with a gloss treatment. The key to desert sand blonde is dimension — to perfect the look, there needs to be a rich mix of lighter and darker tones to give the final effect some desired depth.

For those who are already sporting bright, platinum blondes, desert sand blonde is very achievable. It just requires a shift from cool to warm tones. Colorist Tracey Cunningham explained what's required. "To go from icy to desert blonde, you're going to need lowlights and glosses," Cunningham told Byrdie. "You and your colorist will have to decide if you're going to stay in the ashy range or warm it up with some gold glosses. There really is a perfect shade of blonde for everyone who wants it!" Lowlights add dimension and contrast to blonde hair. But consultations are equally as important for those who are already blonde as they are for the brunettes hoping to go lighter. Speak to your colorist to make sure that the color you're after will compliment your skin tone. 

The draw for blondes in this case is all about warmth. If you're seeking a change from icy, cool shades of blonde, seek out the sunny warmth of desert sand blonde. Light, honey tones and golden blondes keep things looking natural. Best of all, the depth and dappled glow from a warmer blonde makes regrowth less of a challenge. You can get away with longer gaps between visits to the salon.