Lily Aldridge hair / 3rd try

So this is how attempt #3 turned out. As you can see, it's not really working out for me.

I did end up with lighter highlights, but it's still not the balayage look.

This is my niece. She has beautiful naturally sun kissed hair which is the whole point. I want my hair to look super sun kissed, not like I got foiled highlights. And don't get me wrong, using foils to highlight works beautifully, it's just not going to accomplish what I'm going for.

I'm starting to wonder if it's even possible for me at this point. Isn't the 3rd try supposed to be charmed?