How to Get Kate Hudson's Beachy Blond Hair Color For Yourself

"Kate has always loved beach-blond hair with lots of dimension," said Kaeding. "Right now, we're doing baby-blond highlights mixed with some light golden-blond pieces to create a natural, sun-kissed look."

To achieve Kate's California-girl blond, Kaeding uses the balayage highlighting technique to paint on the color. She applies Solaris Poudre Bleach in Air Libre on Kate. "Solaris is great for painting on highlights because it is a powder bleach that can lift up to six levels, so you can go from a medium brown to a blond in one sitting," Kaeding explained.

Going blond can mean damaging the hair if done incorrectly. "I always err on the safe side," said Kaeding. "I lift Kate to the blond that she desires, then rinse, shampoo, and condition. No gloss or toner needed. The wrong gloss or toner can cause blond to sway too ashy or too gold . . . even orange and green."

When it comes to getting the perfect shade of blond, it's all about timing. "If the hair lifts too light, a color needs to be deposited to tone down the hair to the desired shade." Kaeding explained this double dose of chemicals can lead to dryness and, ultimately, breakage. On the flip side, taking off the bleach too soon can be just as bad for strands. "If the hair isn't lifted enough, those undesirable warm, brassy shades will come through."

Sure, Kaeding makes it sound easy, but which natural shades are the best candidates for this particular blond upgrade? "To achieve this natural, effortless look, the best natural base colors are limited," she said. "The darkest shade I'd recommend going this light would be a light brown. All dark, medium, and light blondes are the perfect canvas for Kate's color."

You should also be careful about choosing this shade if you've already had a prior color job. "Most people who want this color have had highlights, which can lead to overlapping," explained Kaeding. Overlapping can cause major breakage to the hair, since you're painting on more highlights over previously bleached hair.

Maintenance is key with any blond color, so Kaeding recommends investing in the right products to keep your blond bright and brilliant. First, invest in a hydrating shampoo and conditioner like Shu Uemura Moisture Velvet ($48).

But what happens if you go brassy? "Once a week, I recommend that Kate use a clarifying shampoo to clean off excess styling products, oils, and treatments to keep her blond looks bright and fresh. The buildup of grime over time tends to make blondes look dull and, eventually, brassy," Kaeding said.

You should also schedule touch-ups with your colorist based on your personal hair growth. Typically, you'll need a root redo every six to 10 weeks. "Fortunately, balayage looks great grown out, so you can extend the time between appointments a little bit longer."

"Talk to your colorist and make sure it's practical, doable, and you're the right candidate for this look. There is no need to sacrifice the integrity of your hair for a superlight shade," said Kaeding. "Avoid dandelion hair at all costs, aka when your hair becomes so destroyed and brittle it flies off like a dandelion — sans the good wish!"