Sometimes small alterations in color can make a beautiful difference.

TeriAnn Eyester, stylist at Salon Nouveau in Bellmore, N.Y., says sun-kissed, textured styles continue to trend this year.

"Most guests have come into the salon hoping to brighten up, yet they want something with easy upkeep for the summer months," Eyester says. "Balayage is a great way to add lighter strands throughout hair while also avoiding harsh lines of grown-out color, so it's great for summer."

Placement is crucial, Eyester says, and should reflect where the sun would actually lighten the hair. Many stylists and clients alike use children's naturally highlighted hair as inspiration.

Eyester's client had grown-out balayage from the spring and wanted a natural, fresh color for summer. "I brightened quite a bit, placing more focus on the frame of her face for that summertime, sun-kissed look," Eyester says.

Get the color: Effortless balayage

STEP 1: Separate client's hair into four quadrants.

STEP 2: For the front quadrants, apply 20 volume Goldwell Silk Lift around the fram of the face. Take diagonal and horizontal weaves of hair and disperse the lightener near the root. Continue throughout both front quadrants.

STEP 3: For the back of the hair, start at the nape of the neck and take 1/2-inch sections dispersing at the root and saturating the ends with 30 volume Goldwell Silk Lift. Continue through back half of the head. 

STEP 4: Allow hair to process 30 minutes.

STEP 5: Shampoo, towel-dry and glaze with Goldwell Colorance 6N in a tear-drop formation at the roots. Then apply equal parts Goldwell Colorance 10P, 9N and Clear throughout the mid-lengths and ends.

STEP 6: Allow hair to process an additional 15 minutes. 

Eyester finished the appointment showing her client a few at-home styles to complement the new color.

"I wanted her to leave feeling confident, trendy and summertime-ready," Eyester says. 

Get the look: Half-up topknot

STEP 1: Blowdry hair with flat brush.

STEP 2: Using a curling wand, curl hair in large, 2-inch sections. Leave out the ends. 

STEP 3: Texturize hair with KMS California Hair Play Dry Wax Spray and tousle with fingers.

STEP 4: Using arch of client's eyebrows as a guideline, section hair and spin into a topknot. Use three to four bobby pins to secure.

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