Balearic blonde is the flattering, sun-kissed shade for late summer

The summer may be coming to an end, but one hair shade in particular is stretching those warm, hazy days further. Balearic blonde has begun to trend, capturing salty strands that have been drenched in the med, then dried in the sunshine.

What is Balearic blonde?

Inspired by the golden beaches, warm climate and relaxed mood of the Balearic Islands, “Balearic Blonde” is "a sun-kissed blonde that embodies the natural, effortless beauty associated with spending time in the Ibizan or Mallorcan sun," explains Jason Collier, key opinion leader at Jerome Russell Bblonde.

Specifically, the blonde hair colour is supposed to mimic the way blonde hair goes brighter in the sunshine. “The hair colour is designed to look natural, as if it’s the result of spending long days outdoors by the sea, rather than a salon-created look,” notes Jason. “It's the kind of blonde that suggests a carefree, sun-drenched lifestyle, with a colour that is both vibrant and understated,” he adds.

Why choose Balearic blonde?

Now that we're heading toward the end of summer, this shade can keep the sunshine glowing with us. But the bright, golden, organic shade can trail into autumn beautifully, too (the same way suntan works with a cosy knit). It calls back sunbaked days, but the warm tones nod to the trending hair colours that are coming down the tracks for autumn (see: sunflower blonde).

If you're not a natural blonde, the shade will require some bleach, but since it's blended with natural tones, too, it's healthier on hair than bright platinums and with a careful sprinkle of colour, it can grow out really gently, too, without leaving behind a stark tideline.

How to wear Balearic blonde?

The key is blending brighter tones with a deeper natural base. “The overall base is a soft, natural blonde or brunette,” says Jason. The overall feel "is not a platinum or ash blonde, but rather a warm, golden blonde that feels organic and not overly processed. The hair should have warm undertones, with hints of gold and honey, reflecting the warm climate of the Balearic Islands. This warmth gives the hair a radiant, healthy glow, as if it's reflecting the sun's rays," he adds.

Sparks of sunshine are lit through strands with highlights. "The colour features lighter streaks, as if naturally highlighted by the sun. These highlights are mostly concentrated around the face, at the tips, and the crown, giving the impression of hair that has been gradually lightened by exposure to the elements. If you don't want to reach for a permanent colour, try a lightening spray, which can work wonders," says Jason.

As for technique, your colourist should keep the whole thing looking casually beautiful. “The highlights should blend seamlessly with the base colour, creating a gradient effect that mimics how hair naturally lightens from the roots to the ends when exposed to the sun over time and the colour shouldn't look too 'done',” notes Jason.

Styling-wise, mussiness and gorgeous texture are very much encouraged. “The texture of the hair plays a huge role in how the Balearic Blonde colour appears,” says Jason. “If the hair is curly, wavy or tousled, it catches the light differently across various sections, enhancing the dimensionality of the blonde tones,” he adds. Jason recommends using a wave or salt spray since “this adds to the effortless beachy vibe.”

However, crispy, parched strands are not the aim, so in between styling sessions, oils and masks can condition. “Despite the sun exposure, we want hair that looks and feels soft and healthy, with a slight shine, giving it a luminous, reflective quality, so make sure to use good quality masks and oils regularly,” says Jason

Here's 8 of our favourite ways to wear Balearic blonde…

For more from GLAMOUR's Senior Beauty Editor, Elle Turner, follow her on Instagram @elleturneruk

Sign up to our newsletter for more daily content straight to your inbox.

Check out the GLAMOUR Summer Edit Beauty Box, which includes the key essentials for a summer glow-up from Fenty, Milk Makeup and more. Worth £284, but yours from £16 per month.