From Chestnut Balayage to Greige: the Hottest Blonde Highlight Shifts This Season
By Maya Lin-Takahashi
The central stylistic tension of the year sits between rich, thermal warmth and muted, stony ash. On one side of the spectrum is caramel balayage resting over cinnamon espresso undertones. This profile captures reflective ambient light, making fine hair appear denser by mimicking the optical effects of backlighting. As reported by Southern Living, warm-weather radiance has evolved into richer, transitional palettes that carry warmth deep into late-year styling.
On the opposite pole stands greige, an exacting blend of beige and gray tones designed to neutralize underlying warmth without turning muddy. Greige requires precise underlying lift. If natural brass is not lifted past pale yellow, applying cool toner produces a flat, greenish cast. To prevent this, colorists alternate lightened zones with ash blonde lowlights, tucking cooler ribbons underneath the crown to cast subtle shadows that accentuate jawlines and cheekbones.
Maya is a hardware enthusiast who tests and reviews smart home devices, smartphones, wearables, and audio gear. She focuses on practical consumer value and build quality.
