Strandlights is the hot new hair technique that Rosie Huntington-Whiteley uses to achieve her blonde
Everyone knows that summer = peak time for blondes. And whether you’re bleached-up or simply rocking a subtle caramel highlight, we can all agree on one thing - blonde is SO difficult to maintain.
When you’re not heading to the salon for a root touch-up, you’re desperately researching which purple shampoos can banish your yellow and give you the icy locks you probably paid £100 for about two weeks before.
How do celebrities do it?
Well, aside from the fact that they have top hairdressers at their beck and call 24 hours a day, there’s actually a hot new technique on the block we can ALL use to keep our hair colour fresh, and give the illusion of a recent salon visit - even if we’re dragging out visiting as long as possible.
Welcome, strandlights.
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Seen on the likes of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Karlie Kloss and Jennifer Aniston, strandlights are the youngest sibling of the coveted babylights, and the latest (and greatest) child of the classic highlight, with minimal maintenance and maximum impact.
According to freehand colour king at Smiths Salon in Soho, Adrian Paoluccio, achieving the perfect strandlight focuses on the hairline of the client by strategically placing delicate highlights - requiring less bleaching, less regrowth, and ultimately, less damage to your hair.
The highlights also don’t go all the way to the root, allowing room for a natural-looking shine for your hair, and 0 panic when you get slight regrowth. It also means you can experiment with just how blonde you want to go, asking for the strands to start lower down to give more of a balayage feel.
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Adrian also does strandlights totally freehand - meaning there’s no set structure in how they’re going to look, but they create a 3D-effect which makes them more natural and blendable, even if you’re not a natural blonde.
Like all light shades however, he does recommend using a colour toning shampoo and conditioner to hydrate and strengthen the hair, as well as keep your colour fresh between retouches.
Want to get the A-list locks for yourself?
Adrian suggests you ask for a ‘natural sun-kissed look’, however, having a consultation with your stylist first is super important to ensure that you get the right colour for you (unfortunately, while we desperately want Jessica Biel’s hair, it might not be the one for us!)
And what’s more, as strandlights is merely the technique used, there are so many options when it comes to colours. So whether you’re after a mousy lift, or looking to go full-throttle blonde, this is one we’ll be turning to all summer long…
Thinking of going blonde? Find your ultimate shade inspiration below...
@kaiagerber / InstagramDishevelled blonde
Kaia Gerber, a long-standing brunette, has freshened up her hair after lockdown with plenty of peroxide but left dishevelled roots at the top to give her hair that 'lived-in' look.
@RosieHW / InstagramButterscotch blonde
Rosie-Huntington Whiteley's creamier, buttery blonde looks phenomenal.
@beyonce / InstagramOmbre blonde
Beyonce's ombre shade keeps things warmer near her roots and looks beautiful.
@georgiamayjagger / InstagramButtercup blonde
Georgia May Jagger's yellow-toned blonde is perfect for summer.
@ritaora / InstagramWarm blonde
Recently, Rita Ora has traded in her trademark platinum blonde strands for a warmer remix.
Bright Blonde
Olivia Colman switched from dark brunette hair to bright blonde mere hours before she hit the Oscars red carpet.
@harryjoshhair / INSTAGRAMIce Blonde
Girl-next-door no more, Jodie Comer's transition to ice queen has been completed. In recent months, she's shifted her hair palette from casual (and a little bit rock 'n' roll), with her roots showing through and chunks of caramel scattered throughout, to a highly polished, ultra sleek champagne shade, just in time to dominate awards season.
@dafnebeautylounge / InstagramSubtle Blonde
Millie Bobbi Brown opted for a new subtle, sunkissed blonde hair and we are in awe.
Getty ImagesHoney Blonde
Amanda Seyfried's honey-toned hair has always been gloriously long and natural looking. Her secret? Saying no to heat styling. "In order to feel myself, I need to look the most natural as I can", she told Harper's Bazaar.
Dirty Blonde
After a brief stint in the platinum playground, T-Swizzle is embracing a more dirty blonde again – and we love it. The key to pulling off this more natural shade (without it looking 'mousey') is to have a seamless blend of high and lowlights. It also helps to style it sleek and glossy, over matte and textured. Try these shiny hair hacks.
ShutterstockCréme blonde
If you want your blonde to look as natural as possible (even once your roots start to show), Sam Burnett, Owner & Creative Director at Hare & Bone says to go for a 'créme blonde'. 'It's not as white as a platinum, but not as golden as a honey, it's more on the natural side, but still cool-toned and just really beautiful for this time of year'.
Getty ImagesHoney Blonde
Lili Reinhart's blonde has always looked really natural, which isn't always an easy feat. To nail a 'born with it' blonde, go for more golden tones, which are better for disguising your roots when they appear.
Getty ImagesHoney Blonde
Dark roots and a honey blonde shade are starting to steal the spotlight from ice blondes. Rosie's wavy do is the perfect example of how chic the autumnal trend looks.
Rex FeaturesHoney Blonde
Kate Bosworth is the quintessential American blonde babe. At the Toronto Film Festival, her beautiful blonde tresses were pulled into a simple half updo, proving that sometimes simplicity is key for the red carpet.
Getty ImagesStrawberry Blonde
A Hairdresser’s Tale: Elisabeth Moss is rocking strawberry blonde hair and she looks great! The actress showed up at the premiere of The Handmaid's Tale in Beverly Hills with much darker strands.
Getty ImagesStrawberry Blonde
Sienna Miller had a strawberry blonde phase - and we think it was pretty great. She rocked the look with 'no makeup' makeup.
Getty ImagesStrawberry Blonde
Lottie Moss' locks are the perfect blonde shade, and are styled into gorgeous tousled waves. They have the slightest strawberry tinge which works so well with her gorgeous complexion.
Getty ImagesStrawberry Blonde
Charlotte Dellal's retro 'do benefits greatly from the honey blonde tones... and, of course, a punchy red lip.
@itsmeleighton / InstagramPlatinum Blonde
You'd be forgiven for not recognising this star - because she looks completelydifferent. Gossip Girl's Queen Bee, Leighton Meester, has overhauled her look for spring with a dramatic dye job. The actress has ditched her brunette hue for mega-watt blonde - and pulls the look off with aplomb.
Getty ImagesPlatinum Blonde
After dabbling with a darker caramel shade, Romee Strijd is back to platinum blonde and better than ever. Bucking the trend of dark brows with light locks, she's kept her face-framers light and fluffy – a trend we'll definitely be seeing more of this summer.
REX FeaturesPlatinum Blonde
It's not always that we get to see Kate Bosworth out and about - the actress tends to keep away from the limelight. But boy, does she looks great when she's out - her platinum strands are always on point.
Rex FeaturesAsh Blonde
Rosamund Pike's ashy blonde bob is perfection, especially with her pretty lip shade.
Rex FeaturesAsh Blonde
Oh, how we love Brit beauty Sienna Miller. Laid-back and lovely is the name of her style game.
Getty ImagesAsh Blonde
Nicole Kidman is one of our favourite iconic blondes. Here she is looking stunning as usual on the red carpet.
Rex FeaturesPlatinum Blonde
Elle Fanning went back to blonde - and this time around her strands are much lighter. The star showed off her new platinum shade at the Miu Miu FROW during the Paris Fashion Week.
Getty ImagesPlatinum Blonde
We think Emma Roberts always has dream hair - but we fell in love further when she was rocking it as a platinum blonde.
Rex FeaturesPlatinum Blonde
Cate Blanchett proves that a sleek blonde ponytail works well against a paler skin tone and a pared back makeup look.
Rex FeaturesPlatinum Blonde
If you're looking to go super blonde, follow Julianne Hough's lead and try this shimmering platinum shade. It looks gorgeous with a bronzey glow, as proven by the stunning Ms. Hough.
Getty ImagesPlatinum Blonde
We love Zoe Kravitz' icy blonde shade - it looks excellent paired with a bright red lipstick. Old Hollywood glamour: nailed!
Platinum Blonde
We are OBSESSED with Sophie Turner as a blonde... the ultimate bombshell. Just look at those vintage waves.
Rex FeaturesIce Blonde
The most enviable ice blonde strands in the biz belong to Karlie Kloss. Since the model went a shade lighter we haven't been able to take our eyes of her - the icy colour really suits her look and makes her blue eyes pop.
Rex FeaturesIce Blonde
Insta-famous actress Dove Cameron perfects rock chick chic with this stunning reflective hue. We adore the slight, subtle wave she has had her 'do styled into, and how she's finished off her look with a tip-top feline flick.
Ice Blonde
Back when Katy Perry went blonde and looked totally badass. This icy hue can be hard to pull off, but follow Katy's lead and you'll wow with your bright locks. Extra points if you pair your hair with a bright red pout.
Ice Blonde
Kirsten has definitely hit the bottle here. If your thinking of going for white blonde hair read our guide first. Pair your white blonde locks with a blue smoky eye for rock chick chic, Kristen Stewart-style.
Rex FeaturesIce Blonde
Gwyneth Paltrow looks gorgeous with a sleek and chic (natural) blond ‘do. She’s been rocking this straight signature style for years, but we never get tired of seeing it.
GettyIce Blonde
Rachel McAdams' hair always looks exceptional, and we adore her short cut. She's recently been rocking a light creamy blonde shade, which really suits her.
Getty ImagesIce Blonde
Proof that ice blonde is the perfect colour for a pixie cut? Enter the stunning Michelle Williams.
PADirty Blonde
If you're a platinum blonde, why not change up your colour this season like Cameron Diaz and opt for a new hue - a dirty blonde. We love the choppy lighter highlights through the lengths as well.
Getty ImagesDirty Blonde
Victoria's Secret model Martha Hunt is already a bombshell, but that bohemian hair is amazing.
Getty ImagesDark Blonde
Olivia Palermo is always on trend with her hair, she seems to be able to get away with any hue!
PA PhotosDark Blonde
Sarah Jessica Parker is no stranger to dye, but we think she looks gorgeous when she flaunts a little blondeness. Loving the subtle biscuit and caramel highlights; this colour job is simply divine.
PA PhotosDark Blonde
Another great dark blonde hair inspo? Emma Watson, a few years back. This look is perfect for experimental brunettes.
PA PhotosDark Blonde
Blondes are said to have more fun, but you don't need to dye your hair super bright to feel the change. We like Brit beauty Kelly Brook's former golden hue.
