As summer approaches, New Yorkers are embracing one of the hottest hair trends of the season: sun-kissed highlights. Whether you’re walking the streets of Brooklyn, lounging in Central Park, or taking the subway, the perfect summer hair color can elevate your look and add a radiant glow. The key to achieving that iconic NYC glow is the right shade of summer highlights that complement your skin tone, style, and personality.

At Venelle Salon and Spa in Park Slope, Brooklyn, we specialize in creating the perfect sun-kissed hair that will have you feeling like you just came back from a week in the Hamptons or Montauk. Let’s explore the best summer highlights for every hair type and how to achieve that flawless NYC glow.

Why Summer Highlights Are Perfect for NYC

In New York City, summer is a time of change – the weather heats up, people flock outdoors, and everyone wants that natural, radiant glow. Highlights are the perfect way to freshen up your look without committing to an all-over color change. The best part? Summer highlights can be customized to your unique style, whether you’re going for something subtle or bold. Here’s why NYC is embracing summer highlights:

• Natural, Sun-Kissed Glow: The main appeal of summer highlights is the ability to recreate the natural highlights that the sun gives your hair during the warmer months. At Venelle Salon and Spa, we specialize in balayage and ombre techniques that mimic the way the sun lightens your hair, creating a soft, blended look.

• Low Maintenance: Highlights require fewer touch-ups than all-over color, which is perfect for those who want to keep their look fresh without spending too much time in the salon. As the summer heat and humidity make hair care trickier, face-framing highlights and subtle balayage styles offer an effortless look.

• Customizable for Every Hair Type: Whether you have curly, straight, thick, or fine hair, summer highlights can be tailored to suit your texture. Whether you prefer blonde, brunette, or even bold shades, highlights give you flexibility while staying in line with the latest trends.

The Best Summer Highlight Techniques in NYC

New York City’s hair scene is constantly evolving, and this summer is no different. From the beachy blonde to the warm caramel tones, here are the most popular highlight techniques that will give you the ultimate NYC glow this summer:

1. Sun-Kissed Balayage

Balayage is a timeless summer favorite that gives your hair a natural, sun-kissed effect. This technique involves hand-painting highlights onto the hair, creating a seamless blend that looks like your hair has naturally lightened from spending time in the sun. Balayage is incredibly versatile, whether you’re looking for soft, subtle highlights or bold, beachy blonde tones.

• Why It Works: Balayage offers a low-maintenance, natural-looking highlight that brightens up your hair without the need for constant touch-ups. It works well with various hair lengths, from long waves to short bobs.

• How to Maintain: To keep your balayage looking fresh throughout the summer, we recommend using sulfate-free shampoos and leave-in conditioners. Our deep conditioning treatments at Venelle Salon and Spa will help preserve your color and keep your hair healthy and shiny.

2. Caramel and Honey Highlights

For those with brunette or dark hair, caramel and honey blonde highlights are the perfect way to add warmth and dimension. These rich tones bring a soft glow to your hair and complement the natural warmth in your skin tone. Whether you're opting for full highlights or just subtle face-framing strands, caramel and honey highlights are the ultimate choice for a radiant summer look.

• Why It Works: Caramel and honey blonde highlights add a sun-kissed glow to darker hair without the need for drastic color changes. These shades work beautifully with medium to dark brunette hair and look especially stunning in the summer sun.

• How to Maintain: To keep your honey highlights looking fresh, be sure to use a moisturizing shampoo and color-protecting conditioners. Regular hydrating masks will keep your hair soft and prevent dryness caused by the summer heat.

3. Platinum Blonde Highlights

For those looking to make a bold statement, platinum blonde highlights can give you that ultra-cool, modern look that’s perfect for summer. Celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Taylor Swift have embraced this look, and it’s become a favorite among New Yorkers looking to stand out in a crowd.

• Why It Works: Platinum blonde highlights offer a striking contrast, especially when placed strategically around the face. These highlights brighten the skin and give you a fashion-forward, edgy look.

• How to Maintain: Platinum blonde requires a bit more upkeep, but with the right toning treatments and deep-conditioning products, you can keep your blonde highlights bright and fresh throughout the season. At Venelle Salon and Spa, we offer color correction services to ensure your platinum blonde stays flawless.

4. Face-Framing Highlights (Money Piece)

For an instant glow without committing to full highlights, money piece highlights are the go-to choice for many NYC influencers. These bright, face-framing strands make your eyes pop and create a flattering, glowing effect. This technique works well with both blonde and brunette hair, giving a fresh and radiant appearance that’s perfect for the summer months.

• Why It Works: Face-framing highlights are an easy way to brighten your face and add dimension without needing a full highlight. The best part? It’s a super low-maintenance option for summer because it doesn’t require constant touch-ups.

• How to Maintain: To keep your money piece highlights vibrant, use color-safe shampoos and schedule a toning treatment every few weeks to maintain the brightness and eliminate brassiness.

5. Pastel Summer Highlights

For a unique and fun twist, pastel highlights are making a major comeback this summer. Whether you’re into soft pinks, lavenders, or baby blues, pastel hues can be a playful way to express your personality while still achieving that NYC glow. This look works best with lighter hair, but with the right technique, it can be customized for deeper shades as well.

• Why It Works: Pastel highlights are perfect for those who want to make a bold statement without going for a full-color change. They’re a great way to add a fun and creative edge to your hairstyle while still keeping things light and fresh for summer.

• How to Maintain: Pastel highlights require more maintenance than natural shades, so regular touch-ups and the use of color-protecting shampoos are essential to keep the color from fading.

Why Choose Venelle Salon and Spa for Your Summer Highlights

At Venelle Salon and Spa, we are passionate about helping our clients achieve the perfect summer highlights that enhance their natural beauty and reflect their personal style. Our expert colorists use only the highest-quality products to ensure your highlights stay vibrant, shiny, and healthy all season long. Whether you’re looking for balayage, face-framing highlights, or a fun platinum blonde look, we’ve got you covered.

Our Park Slope location provides a relaxing and luxurious environment where you can unwind while our team creates the perfect sun-kissed glow for your hair. Our personalized consultations ensure that you leave the salon with the best summer highlights to complement your skin tone and style.

Book Your Appointment Today!

Are you ready for summer highlights that will have you glowing all season long? Venelle Salon and Spa is here to give you the perfect, customized sun-kissed look. Book your appointment today and let our expert stylists create your dream summer hair.