The Highlights Each Hair Color Needs to Get the Sun-Kissed Look

Summer is nearing, and with it, all the sun-soaked trends the season brings. Undoubtedly, one of our favorite summery trends is sun-kissed hair, and we’ve been getting served inspiration early this year via The White Lotus, where it’s eternally summer but also perpetually dangerous. If you’re looking to give your hair a sun-kissed appearance ahead of summer to embody the beachy vibe before everyone else, we have the expert tips you need to get started.

Featured experts

• Rogerio Cavalcante is a hairstylist and the owner of The Second Floor Salon
• Min Kim is a celebrity colorist

Sun-kissed hair color tips

The sun-kissed hair technique is unsurprisingly “particularly suitable for summertime, as it enhances the natural beauty of the hair and gives it a summery vibe,” says hairstylist Rogerio Cavalcante. According to celebrity colorist Min Kim, the key to achieving this natural-looking color “is to stay within two to three shades of your base color and blend with the right toning gloss to keep everything looking cohesive.” She notes glossing treatments are also a must to enhance the shine and tone of the hair.

Cavalcante agrees, noting it’s generally recommended to only go two to four shades lighter than your natural color. “When requesting highlights, ask for a more natural root color and lighter ends,” he advises. Additionally, “Avoid getting too much hair highlighted on the bottom or making it too light, as this could result in an unnatural appearance resembling old, untouched roots.”

To achieve the effect, Kim recommends balayage or babylights over traditional foiled highlights. “Balayage creates soft, hand-painted ribbons of lightness that mimic the way the sun naturally lightens hair over time,” she explains. “It’s low-maintenance and grows out beautifully without harsh lines.” Babylights come into play when clients want a bit more brightness, but they must be “very fine, delicate highlights placed around the face and throughout the hair for a natural, seamless glow.”

Sun-kissed highlights for each hair color

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Dark brown sun-kissed hair

For those with dark brown hair looking to get the sun-kissed effect, Kim recommends warm caramel, toffee or golden bronze highlights. “These tones complement deep brown hair while adding dimension and warmth without looking too harsh,” she explains.

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Light brown sun-kissed hair

“Shades like honey, warm beige, or soft amber blend beautifully to create a naturally brightened effect” on those with light brown hair, says Kim.

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Blonde sun-kissed hair

Kim says, “Soft champagne, baby blonde or buttery golden tones work best to enhance a bright, healthy, sun-kissed blonde without appearing too ashy or over-processed.”

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Red sun-kissed hair

If you’re looking for sun-kissed red hair, Kim suggests “strawberry blonde or warm copper tones to maintain the vibrancy of red hair while adding depth and light reflection.”