The better of each worlds, caramel balayage immediately provides heat and dimension to even probably the most plain and one-note hair colours. Despite how stylish and splendid it seems, it is really probably the most natural-looking and low-maintenance methods to paint your hair. It’s no surprise so many celebrities are identified for carrying variations on the shade: Zendaya, Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Hailey Bieber, Kaia Gerber, and extra have all sported numerous takes on caramel balayage as of late.
What is caramel balayage?
Not certain what we imply after we say caramel balayage? “Caramel balayage includes hand-painting heat, golden-brown highlights on darker hair for a sun-kissed impact,” Chase Kusero, co-founder of IGK Hair Care, tells Glamour. “While it enhances brunette tones, it provides dimension and heat past a normal brown coloration.”
More particularly, it blends tones of golden, honey, and toffee so as to add dimension and richness, says colorist Richy Kandasamy, vice chairman of R+Color improvement. “While it’s typically utilized to darkish blonde or brunette bases, caramel balayage is just not the identical as a stable brown or brunette coloration—it’s all in regards to the delicate and dimensional sun-kissed distinction and depth it brings to the hair,” he says.
As for why it’s best to think about caramel balayage over, say, a one-dimensional darkish brown? “Adding pops of caramel to brown hair immediately elevates your look. Caramel highlights add multi-dimensional tones, making hair look fuller and extra textured,” says Kandasamy. “The heat undertones of caramel create a radiant, sun-kissed impact that flatters any season. It’s very a flattering tone!”
Kusero says that it additionally provides brightness and dimension without having full-color modifications, works effectively with pure hair texture—whether or not straight, wavy, or curly—and grows out gracefully, lowering upkeep wants.
Who is an effective candidate for caramel balayage?
“This look is ideal for these with brown or darkish blonde hair and works particularly effectively with heat or impartial pores and skin tones, as it may be tailor-made to reinforce any complexion,” says Jennifer Korab, superstar hairstylist, colorist, educator, and founding father of Renaissance Salon & Spa, “Caramel highlights add dimension, motion, and a radiant glow, making them an awesome selection for anybody in search of a low upkeep but impactful model.”
Thus, it’s excellent for anybody trying to improve their pure base with a heat or cool radiant end, with out the maintenance of conventional highlights, says Kandasamy. “It’s versatile and could be tailor-made to go well with completely different pores and skin tones and hair sorts particularly throughout winter season.”
How to seek out the perfect shade of caramel balayage to your pores and skin tone
As is usually the case with discovering flattering shades for every particular person, it is best to determine your pores and skin’s undertone. “While consulting with my purchasers, the simplest option to decide their desire of heat, cool or impartial is their jewellery: extra gold, heat, extra silver, cool, and sometimes mixing metals leans in direction of a impartial tone,” says Ryan Dickie, a colorist at IGK Salon Miami.
That mentioned, it is vital to notice that more often than not, caramel shades are likely to lean heat. “When discussing caramel tones, I first point out to each consumer that if you happen to think about biting right into a caramel crammed chocolate bar, the caramel shall be golden and shiny with a tan brown base. Thus, a real caramel will lean heat,” Dickie explains. “That mentioned, your colorist can create the identical worth inside any coloration household.”
Caramel balayage upkeep
“To assist hold caramel balayage wanting contemporary, I like to recommend utilizing sulfate-free shampoos like Pureology Strength Cure,” says Korab. “I additionally recommend firming therapies to stop brassiness, together with common in salon gloss refreshes.” You might additionally strive a shampoo gloss hybrid, comparable to IGK More Life Color Extending Gloss Shampoo and Conditioner to keep up vibrancy, provides Kandasamy.
Also understand that water and warmth are the largest culprits to fading coloration, says Dicky. “That’s why I like to recommend Seaweed Bath Co. Heat Care Shampoo and Seaweed Bath Co. Heat Care Conditioner for hydration and safety along with a very good warmth protectant like IGK Good Behavior, which may additionally assist with the longevity of your coloration,” he says. “Heat safety is essential for having the perfect outcomes at sustaining your coloration at house.”
Feeling impressed? Same. Ahead, see 21 trending methods to rock caramel balayage in 2025, and prepare to screenshot.
