Caramel Balayage: This Season's Hottest Trend is Here to Stay

This highlighted look is the perfect midway between subtle and sexy.

A quick skim through any roundup of editors’ favorite styles from the past year is sure to include a handful of caramel balayage styles. Balayage caramel styles have made a comeback over the last few years, and the latest iterations of this trend are some of our all-time favorites. A skillfully done style that includes caramel balayage can lighten up your entire look while simultaneously helping you debut one of this year’s hottest trends.

Thinking about trying out this sweet yet stylish highlights technique yourself? Check out different ways to wear caramel balayage:

13 Ways to Wear Caramel Balayage

caramel balayage tight natural curls short — Lighten up your natural curls.

1. Natural Curls

Wear your natural curls short and light in a curly bob style that incorporates caramel balayage highlights. This look is guaranteed to brighten up your overall look.

caramel balayage super subtle — Add just a touch of caramel.

2. Super Subtle

This look is ideal for someone who is a little hesitant to make a huge change in the hair color department. A super subtle touch of caramel color is a great way to get in on this trend in a subtle way.

caramel balayage subtle transition — A subtle change of color makes for an easy transition.

3. An Easy Transition

The key to making this look work is having your stylist create a smooth transition from one color to the other.

caramel balayage straight medium length — Wear your lightened locks nice and straight.

4. Stick Straight

Wear your freshly colored strands nice and straight to really show off your highlights. Don’t forget to protect your hair and prep with a heat defense product. We love TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Heat Defense Spray as it protects hair from heat damage and uses keratin to keep your strands super sleek.

TRESemmé KERATIN SMOOTH HEAT DEFENSE SPRAY

caramel balayage straight balayage — Go bold with this classic take on balayage.

5. Go Bold

Opt for a classic and bold balayage style by bringing this inspiration image straight to your stylist.

caramel balayage small curls — Make two statements at once.

6. Small Curls

Revamp your regular curls by adding scattered balayage highlights.

caramel balayage loose low ponytail — Gather your subtle highlights into a low, loose style.

7. Loose Ponytail and Subtle Highlights

Show off subtle highlights at the front of your hair by gathering your strands into a low loose ponytail. This soft style works with these highlights for a perfectly matched style-color combo.

caramel balayage loose curls — Style your balayage into loose curls.

8. Loose Curls

Use your curling iron to style your balayage style into long, loose curls. Hold the style in place and add a touch of volume by spraying the finished look with Bed Head by TIGI Full of It Volume Hairspray.

BED HEAD by TIGI FULL OF IT VOLUME HAIRSPRAY

caramel balayage long straight light blonde — Add a touch of color to your long hair.

9. Long Strands

Don’t sacrifice your length. Instead, give your long locks a makeover by having your stylist add caramel balayage.

caramel balayage long loose curls natural — Grow out your curls and lighten them up.

10. Long, Natural Curls

Grow out your curls and pair them with caramel balayage to brighten them up. Give them an added dose of definition by coming Dove Style+Care Curls Defining Mousse through your curls while they’re still damp.