If you’ve been swooning over the effortlessly luminous hair of celebrities like Jennifer Lawrence, Margot Robbie, and Kaia Gerber lately, we’re here to spill their secret: babylights. This refined hair color technique is making major waves in this year, and it’s no surprise why. With their ultra-fine, delicate highlights, babylights give off a stunning, natural sun-kissed effect that radiates a laid-back, beachy vibe.
Babylights: The Subtle Yet Stunning Technique Everyone’s Obsessed With
You might be wondering, “What sets babylights apart from the countless other highlighting techniques?” Well, babylights are not your typical bold highlights or flashy ombre. They’re ultra-thin, finely woven strands of lighter hair that create a soft, almost imperceptible contrast. Think of them as micro-highlights designed to mimic the way the sun naturally lightens hair—just like the delicate, bright strands you might’ve had as a kid. No chunky highlights here! The goal is to look naturally radiant, as if you’ve spent a week lounging under the summer sun.
The Celebrity Stamp of Approval
Hollywood A-listers like Margot Robbie and Hailey Bieber have been embracing babylights to give their hair a more lived-in, sunlit glow. Margot Robbie’s golden babylights, for example, perfectly frame her face, giving her that effortlessly chic look. Hailey Bieber opts for cooler, ash-toned babylights that seamlessly blend with her naturally darker roots, allowing her to go longer between salon visits. It’s no wonder celebrities are in love with this trend—it’s low-maintenance yet utterly glam.
Babylights: Not Your Typical Highlight Job
While babylights might sound like just another version of highlights, they’re quite distinct in both technique and effect. Unlike traditional highlights, which involve chunkier sections of hair for a bolder, high-contrast look, babylights use very fine sections of hair for a more natural, blended result. In fact, the sections are so delicate that your eyes don’t register them as “highlights” in the traditional sense. Instead, they create the illusion of naturally glowing hair with a barely-there finish.
Kristin Ess, celebrity colorist and stylist to stars like Lucy Hale, explains it best: “Babylights are like the beauty world’s version of ‘no-makeup makeup.’ They’re meant to be soft, natural, and almost unnoticeable as intentional highlights. It’s all about giving the hair a sun-lit vibe without looking overdone.”
Why Babylights Are Trending in this year
This year is all about embracing understated beauty, and babylights fit right into this vibe. We’re moving away from dramatic, high-maintenance styles like heavy balayage and chunky highlights, and opting for more subtle, touchable looks. Babylights lend a “just back from the beach” glow that’s versatile enough to suit any season. Plus, they complement the “clean girl” aesthetic that’s currently trending on social media—think fresh, dewy skin, minimalist makeup, and tousled, naturally highlighted hair.
Babylights vs. Balayage: Which One Is Right for You?
If you’re torn between babylights and balayage, the choice ultimately depends on the look you’re aiming for and how much maintenance you’re willing to commit to. Balayage involves hand-painting bleach or color onto the hair, which gives a soft, natural transition between the base and highlight colors. It’s fantastic for those who love the grown-out, lived-in look since it requires fewer touch-ups.
Babylights, on the other hand, are about capturing that “freshly highlighted” vibe in a more understated way. They’re great for those who want their hair to have an even, sun-kissed appearance rather than the shadowy dimension that balayage provides. In fact, some colorists—like the famed Tracey Cunningham, who works with celebrities like Jessica Biel and Khloé Kardashian—often combine babylights and balayage to create a customized, multidimensional look that enhances the hair’s natural texture and depth.
Who Should Consider Babylights?
Babylights are incredibly versatile and can suit various hair types, lengths, and colors. However, they are particularly beneficial for those with fine, straight hair. Why? Because babylights add a subtle dimension that makes the hair appear fuller and thicker without looking overdone. For example, Kaia Gerber’s finely woven babylights give her shoulder-length bob an added depth and movement, making it look bouncier and healthier.
If you have thicker or coarser hair, you can still rock babylights! However, traditional highlights or a mix of babylights and balayage may be more visible and impactful due to the hair’s natural volume and texture.
How Much Do Babylights Cost, and Are They Worth It?
Here’s the tea: Babylights can be more expensive than your average highlights because they require a high level of precision and take longer to apply. Each strand must be delicately woven and placed to ensure a seamless blend. So, if you’re expecting a quick, budget-friendly salon visit, babylights may not be the route for you.
However, the investment often pays off in terms of low-maintenance upkeep. Babylights grow out more gracefully than chunky highlights, meaning you can go longer between salon visits. Depending on your natural hair color and the shade of your babylights, touch-ups may only be necessary every 8 to 12 weeks—sometimes even less!
How to Maintain Your Babylights
Despite being relatively low-maintenance, there are a few key steps you should take to keep your babylights looking fresh and vibrant. A color-safe shampoo and conditioner are non-negotiable to preserve the color and shine. If you’re rocking blonde babylights like Gigi Hadid, a purple shampoo is your best friend to keep brassy tones at bay. Additionally, a regular hair gloss treatment can help maintain that glossy, sun-kissed glow.
Expert tip: Use a heat protectant spray whenever you style your hair with hot tools. Babylights, like all highlights, involve bleaching, which can make your hair more prone to heat damage. Using a protectant will help preserve the integrity of your strands and keep them looking their best.
Babylights or Balayage: Which One Should You Ask Your Stylist For?
If you’re ready to dive into the world of babylights, it’s essential to communicate your vision clearly to your stylist. Consider bringing photos of celebrities whose babylights you admire—like Margot Robbie’s sun-kissed blonde or Emily Ratajkowski’s caramel tones. Most professional colorists will understand what you mean when you mention “babylights,” but having visual references ensures you’re both on the same page.
Wondering whether you should go for babylights, balayage, or a mix of both? Your stylist will consider your hair’s texture, natural color, and desired end result to customize the application for you. Balayage is excellent for those wanting a lower contrast and more shadowy effect, while babylights will give you that all-over, soft glow.
Bottom Line: Babylights for an Effortless, Celebrity-Inspired Look
Whether you’re inspired by Jennifer Lawrence’s creamy blonde babylights or Zendaya’s subtle caramel strands, this trend is all about enhancing your natural beauty with a touch of sunlit radiance. Babylights are versatile, lower maintenance, and suitable for almost every hair type. So, if you’re dreaming of that beachy, effortlessly chic hair that looks straight out of a celebrity’s Instagram feed, babylights might just be your new go-to.
