Face it — nothing says summer like beautiful beach highlights. If you’re striving for that sun-kissed, beach-beauty look, you don’t need to take a trip to the tropics to achieve it. Simply visit the local salon, and you can put Gidget to shame with your super surfer girl glow. Although most people associate luscious blonde locks with beautiful beach bums, brunettes can work the same great look. You’ll first want to consider your cut. For starters, focus on style. The last thing you want is your stylist chopping off your color. Layers or a bob are great options for surf-tussled sass, although just about any style will work with the right color treatment. It’s important to think outside of the box — it’s not just the color that counts. It’s the way you go about getting it. Start with a good base color. If you’re a blonde, opt for two shades darker than the natural color, while brunettes can shoot for a shade lighter.

With the right foundation in place, it’s time to get sun-kissed. You’ll want to avoid the traditional highlighted approach where hair looks streaked. Strategically color places on the top of the head and around the face in areas that would be affected by the sun. Color should be two shades lighter than the base color for light hair. The color director of Brad Johns studio in New York recommends wheat and baby blonde for lighter shades and toffee and caramel for medium to dark hair. Because you are going for a natural, opt to go eight to 10 weeks between colorings. Follow these simple techniques, and you’ll find that the surfer girl hairstyle is as easy as a day at the beach.