The Caramel Latte Hair-Color Trend Looks as Delicious as It Sounds

By Rebecca Norris, Allure

Iced caramel lattes are a summer staple drink for basic Bs (no shame). Now, they're serving as the inspiration for one of the most wearable hair colors of the season, too. With dark roots cascading into swirls of buttery blonde and ash, this hair color looks about as delicious as everyone’s go-to Starbucks order. Most recently created by LA-based hairstylist Jessica Warburton, it’s only a matter of time before it jumps out of our Instagram feeds and into real life. And, since you’re sure to swoon over the summer-ready hue, we sat down with the colorist herself to spill all the tea — or, shall we say, latte — on how to bring this look to life.

“This client had a full balayage done,” Warburton tells Allure. “She has a natural base level three (one being blackest black and ten palest yellow).” She explains that by using her natural base level at the roots, growth won’t create an unnatural-looking line of demarcation as many allover colors do. “On her ends, I used a higher developer so that we could achieve various levels of lift.” In order to create the different blondes at the ends, Warburton went on to tone with two separate formulas, a darker one for the base, melted into a lighter ash-toned one on the ends. “This balayage technique is a terrific option for those who want super low-maintenance hair,” Warburton says when explaining why this color is perfect for a summer refresh. “It is a technique that is mostly surface painting and allows for a beautiful grow-out phase.” And you know what that means: less time at the salon this summer and more time in the sand.

When it comes to this hand-painted technique, unless you’re already a colorist yourself, it’s best to leave it up to the pros. Not only will they be able to expertly coat your strands with color in areas that may be hard to reach, but they’ll be able to tailor the lighteners and toners used to really customize the hue to your particular skin tone and style. What’s more, they’ll be able to hook you up with the best hair care-recommendations (like color-safe shampoo, conditioner, and a mask) to maintain your new Insta-worthy look.