By now we know balayage, a freehand hair dying technique, is a favorite of celebs and a great way to get natural-looking highlights. Whatever the season, we can't help but think that this technique is the ideal way to style your strands. Why? Well, the 'dos look like they just came from a sunny beach, AKA exactly where we want to be, whatever time of year it is. 

By The Marie Claire US Editors.

That knowing smize when your mermaid hair is also working "born with it" golden highlights. 

Because we know you're thinking about a lob for the summer, why not add some streaks of color for an all-over glow like Hale's? 

Amber Heard's one-shoulder style looks all the more dramatic with a punch of golden blonde highlights.

Like she just returned from a sunny vacation (beachy waves and all). 

Name a more perfect outfit, waves, and enviable balayage combo. We'll wait. 

Chin lengths spirals and golden highlights are red carpet magic. 

Two hands up if you're in full summer mode and have the highlights to prove it. 

Jessica Alba juggles many important titles—entrepreneur, movie star, mom—and more recently, hair guru.

In which JLaw shows us how to use touches of blonde to mix up layered lengths (they're highlighting all her best hair angles 🙌).

The princess of the balayage realm, Olivia Wilde wears her chestnut accents starting mid-way down the strands.

The perfect golden wave that makes a chin-length bob look 100x more glamorous.

Biel shows us the prettiest way to frame your face: blonde accents carefully painted in the curves of the strands closest to her face.

That barely-there, sun-kissed glow that will make everyone go, "Did you just get back from the beach?"

Lighter-colored layers open up the face and add dimension to longer locks.

In which Rihanna slays with all-over copper balayage, from root to tip, that looks natural and not too heavy.

A well-done balayage lends some serious multi-tonal character to Jones' mid-length waves.

The English supermodel can let her dark roots grow out thanks to this subtle, golden bronde balayage job.

Ultra-long locks pair well with balayage: case in point, Beckinsale's flowing waves of caramel highlights.

This trendsetter shows us how to rock natural-looking blonde highlights.

Damn, lady! This statement platinum infusion is absolutely stunning—especially with those waves.

Honey highlights add extra oomph to the Australian actress' bob.

SJP maintains her style and hair icon status with this dramatic half brunette, half blonde coloring.

Balayage is meant to highlight the hair where the sun would naturally hit, which would explain why Gisele looks like a sun-kissed goddess.

This Victoria's Secret model looks all the more angelic with hand-painted streaks of honey blonde in her chocolate mane.

Aldrige's dyed ends frame her face beautifully and add to her beach babe glow (the tropical leaves behind her don't hurt either).