If you didn’t catch the finale of America’s Next Top Model last night, allow us to share the good news on who won: Sophie!

Granted, she was awesome on the runway and had a bubbly personality that caused Tyra Banks to give her the super-hero nickname of “Illuminata,” but we suspect it was quite another reason that clinched it for the Brit—her hair, of course!

The super-tall, super-leggy model, who was the runner-up in Britain’s Next Top Model, grabbed first place this go-round with her cotton-candy pink hair and adorable wispy snip taking centerstage. And just in case you missed this cycle, we’ve got some of our fave pix of Sophie (and her hair!) to share with you…

While athletes will be competing for gold in the Summer Olympics, you don’t have to do one cartwheel to make the precious metal your own. Josh Shores, colorist at Maxine salon in Chicago, shares that gold is going to be one hot hair shade this season. “Gold gives you a beautiful summer glow and goes great with the hint of sun you’ve been waiting for all winter,” shares the hair pro. “Soft golden and amber hues reflect the light and give off a shiny, healthy appearance.”

Josh recommends booking an appointment with a colorist who excels in the balayage technique (where color is hand-painted onto hair). Ask for soft, golden beige and amber-toned highlights. “One thing that I love to do is what I call ‘the Sarah Jessica’,” says Josh. “I paint softer, warm golden hues around the back, slightly off the root, then brighten the color around the face.”

What are you waiting for? Take your place at the podium and grab your gold!

While the new champ of American Idol was recently crowned, Sophisticate’s is checking in with a finalist from last season: Lauren Alaina. The Southern gal is touring to promote her debut album, Wildflower, and stopped in California for an exclusive photo shoot with our crew.

While we had Matrix Artistic Designer Dan Csicsai on the set to create Lauren’s high-volume tress look, we might have been able to hand the brush to the star herself. “I’ve always been pretty good at doing hair,” shares Lauren. “If I wasn’t a singer, I might be a hairstylist!”

Be sure to check out our August issue of Sophisticate’s Hairstyle Guide, on sale now, to see the whole photo shoot and read the exclusive interview.