If you’ve recently treated yourself to gorgeous highlights at a top salon in NYC, you’re probably wondering how long they’ll last, especially when dealing with New York’s hot and humid summers. Between the sweltering heat, high humidity, and frequent rainfall, summer in NYC can be tough on your hair color, but with the right care, your highlights can stay vibrant and fresh throughout the season.

At Venelle Salon and Spa in Park Slope, Brooklyn, we specialize in long-lasting, customized highlighting techniques that are perfect for NYC’s humid summer months. Here’s everything you need to know about how long highlights last and how to keep them looking their best during the summer heat.

How Long Do Highlights Last in the Summer?

The longevity of your highlights will depend on a few factors, including the type of highlighting technique you’ve chosen, your hair type, and how well you take care of your color post-appointment. Generally, highlights can last anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks, but NYC’s humid summer weather can cause them to fade slightly faster, especially if you’re spending time outdoors, swimming, or styling your hair with hot tools.

Here’s a breakdown of what to expect based on different highlighting methods:

1. Balayage Highlights: 8–12 Weeks

Balayage is a low-maintenance highlighting technique that involves painting the highlights onto your hair freehand. The beauty of balayage is that it creates a natural, sun-kissed effect with soft, gradual growth, meaning the regrowth is less noticeable as your hair grows out.

• In the Summer: Balayage tends to last the longest during summer because it doesn’t create harsh lines or stripes that show as your hair grows. The gradual fading process ensures that your color stays beautiful for several months, even in the heat.

• Pro Tip: To maintain your balayage highlights during the humid summer months, make sure to keep your hair hydrated with moisturizing shampoos and conditioners designed for color-treated hair.

2. Foiled Highlights: 6–8 Weeks

Traditional foil highlights give you a more defined look with sharper contrast between light and dark tones. They tend to fade more quickly compared to balayage, especially in the humid NYC summer.

• In the Summer: Foil highlights can start to show noticeable regrowth and fading faster in the summer due to increased exposure to the sun, humidity, and styling products. The heat can also cause your hair to become drier, which might affect the vibrancy of your highlights.

• Pro Tip: To help extend the life of your foil highlights, use sulfate-free shampoos and avoid washing your hair every day. Additionally, be sure to use a heat protectant when styling with hot tools to minimize damage.

3. Baby Lights: 6–8 Weeks

Baby lights are ultra-fine highlights that mimic the natural lightness your hair might have after a summer in the sun. These highlights are applied to smaller sections of hair, creating a soft, subtle effect that requires less maintenance than bolder highlight techniques.

• In the Summer: Since baby lights are so subtle, they tend to fade less noticeably than traditional highlights, even in the hot and humid summer months. However, they can still lose some of their vibrancy if exposed to frequent sun exposure and humidity.

• Pro Tip: Protect your baby lights by using leave-in conditioners and UV protection sprays to shield your hair from the sun’s harmful rays. You can also try a color-protecting treatment at your salon to keep the tones fresh and vibrant.

What Affects the Longevity of Highlights in NYC’s Summer?

While your highlighting technique plays a big role in how long your color lasts, several other factors contribute to the longevity of your highlights in NYC’s humid summer. Here’s what to keep in mind:

1. Humidity

The summer humidity in NYC can cause your hair to swell, which can impact the way color settles into the hair. High humidity can make hair look frizzy or puffy, and it can also cause color fading. The extra moisture in the air can also affect the porosity of your hair, meaning it may absorb more water and release color more easily.

• How to Combat Humidity: Use anti-frizz serums or humidity-resistant hairsprays to lock your highlights in place. You can also keep your hair in braids or buns to minimize the effect of humidity.

2. Sun Exposure

Prolonged exposure to the sun can cause your highlighted hair to become brassy or dry. The UV rays can break down the bonds of the hair and cause the color to fade more quickly, especially in lighter shades like blonde or platinum.

• How to Protect Against Sun Damage: Apply a UV protectant spray or leave-in conditioner to your hair before heading outside. Wearing a hat or using a scarf can also provide extra protection from the sun’s harsh rays.

3. Swimming in Saltwater or Chlorine

If you plan to spend time in the pool or at the beach, keep in mind that both saltwater and chlorine can affect the color of your highlights. Saltwater can cause your hair to become dry, while chlorine can strip away color and leave your highlights looking dull.

• How to Protect Your Highlights: Always wet your hair with fresh water before swimming to reduce the amount of saltwater or chlorine your hair absorbs. Use a swim cap if you’re swimming for extended periods, and deep condition after swimming to restore moisture.

4. Heat Styling

While your highlights might look great straight or curled, using heat styling tools regularly can lead to color fading. The heat can damage your hair cuticle, making it harder for color to stick and leaving you with lackluster highlights.

• How to Protect Your Hair from Heat Styling: Always use a heat protectant before styling, and try to minimize the use of heat tools during the summer. Let your hair air-dry when possible, or use a cool setting on your blow dryer to minimize damage.

How to Maintain Your Highlights During NYC’s Humid Summer

Here are some tips to keep your highlights looking fresh all summer long in the humid NYC weather:

• Use Color-Safe, Sulfate-Free Shampoos: Choose shampoos and conditioners designed for color-treated hair. These products help protect your highlights and prevent them from fading too quickly.

• Deep Condition Regularly: Keep your hair nourished and hydrated with a deep conditioning treatment once a week. This will restore moisture and keep your highlights looking vibrant.

• Invest in a Leave-In Conditioner with UV Protection: This will help shield your hair from both the sun and humidity, keeping your color intact.

• Get Regular Touch-Ups: To keep your highlights looking fresh, consider scheduling regular touch-ups at your salon every 6-8 weeks.

Book Your Highlight Appointment at Venelle Salon and Spa

At Venelle Salon and Spa, we specialize in creating highlighting techniques that work perfectly for NYC’s humid summers. Our expert colorists will ensure your highlights look beautiful and last longer with premium products and the latest color techniques. Book your appointment today and let us help you maintain your gorgeous summer highlights all season long!