For your grand re-entry into normal life post-quar, it’s high time to consider sprucing up your blonde hair with highlights. Whether you’re naturally flaxen or platinum is a longtime labor of love for you, you’re in luck—variations of blonde hair are already poised to be the biggest color trend for spring. (Just ask Billie Eilish and Selena Gomez, who both took the plunge recently.) The particular shades Who What Wear editors are eyeing all feature icy pieces that liven up a chai-toned base.
Mark DeBolt, the color extraordinaire behind Gwyneth Paltrow’s and Naomi Watts’s famous tresses, says his clients are all for the rising blonde-highlight trend. “The look for spring is certainly lighter. Many blondes are opting for brighter highlights through the mid-lengths and ends, which give the hair a beachy, poppy feel,” he tells WWW.
“We’re also adding highlights around the face, [and] we’re seeing a return to piecey, chunky highlights too, where ribbony pops of blonde are placed throughout the hair,” he adds. The next time you visit your stylist, you’ll want to have these takes on the perfect blonde highlights bookmarked. Keep scrolling for 24 examples that will make you want to book an appointment.
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s signature blonde tracks with this season’s highlight trend featuring a lighter money piece that frames the face.
Stella Maxwell slicked her highlights into a TikTok-approved bun. (Per Gen Z, the middle part is mandatory.) Her blonde pooch also scores her a few extra brownie points.
Long, ’70s-worthy curls are a veritable must-try way to style your locks, à la Romee Strijd.
Rita Ora’s blonded topknot plays the perfect sidekick to her curly, side-swept bangs.
Sydney Sweeney has achieved that perfect beachy blonde with longer, face-framing pieces. Her stylist also tucked in some consistent striping throughout her top layer.
Icy on the top plus cool, chai-toned on the bottom equals the perfect ponytail situation.
Lightening the ends of naturally curly hair can add some serious depth to your ‘do.
With a red lip, Kate Bosworth’s sleek blonde tresses feel worthy of a Victorian painting.
Another way to style a lightened top layer? With a French braid–bun combo that shows off all the gorgeous tones throughout your mane.
Anya Taylor-Joy has been giving hair inspiration for the ages all 2021 long. Here, she models a different take on the braided updo that shows off her shadow root and blend of subtle highlights.
These braids are everything. Consider lightening yours the Saweetie way: with a silver-toned color that adds a pop to your ends.
Claw hair clips are a mandatory spring 2021 accouterment, and this baby-size one adds a dainty touch to Andrea Steen’s highlighted blonde curls.
Put a more classic spin on curls with Amanda Seyfried’s Old Hollywood–esque blonde waves. That color, though!
Straight, tousled, and unfussy—that’s a vibe we can get behind. A tip of the hat to our girl, Margot Robbie.
Emily Blunt goes for contrast in this red carpet–ready look, choosing brighter money pieces swept back into curls.
Rebel Wilson counts herself as a fan of the buttery-blonde trend. Curtain bangs add a retro touch to her look.
Another contrast-loving look, done the braided way. Lisa Folawiyo’s ashy-blonde tresses are worth shouting about.
Break out your volumizing mousse and curling iron for this iconic tousled look, courtesy of Elsa Hosk.
Chunky, striped lights take center stage in this sweet swept-up look. With a floral dress, it’s perfect for all your al fresco brunches this summer.
Caramel roots with blonded hair shafts—and is that a hint of pink?—make Hunter Schafer’s blonde waves a must-copy.
While the debate between ashy and warm blonde continues, we’ll be over here with Anchyi, who’s splitting the difference between the two (and doing it with a lot of great hair clips).
Hilary Duff’s energized half-up, half-down style reveals her sunny highlights, which were expertly placed throughout her head.
On a softer note, this low pony features a mix of caramel and buttery pieces tied together by a bundle of strands.
Sometimes the simplest styles are the chicest, as evidenced by Michelle Driscoll’s straight tresses. Her color features piecey highlights throughout her top layer. Next: Brunettes, we didn’t forget about you. Check out how to add spring-ready highlights to your locks.
