Let’s talk about the different types of hair color highlights!
You’ve spent hours looking at hair color ideas, only to freeze when the stylist asks, “What kind of highlights are you thinking?”
It is a moment that calls for inspiration—but what is the right type of highlights for you?
From subtle babylights to bold money pieces, the world of hair coloring techniques is vast.
In this ultimate guide, we’ll explore the different types of highlights and help you find the perfect option for your personal needs.
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Full marks vs partial marks
Understanding the difference between full and partial highlights is essential to achieving the desired look.
A full highlight involves coloring the entire head, from roots to ends, creating a more dramatic and vibrant effect.
On the other hand, partial highlights add subtle pops of color to certain sections of your hair.
Characteristics of aluminum foil
Foil highlights are a tried and true technique that stylists love for their precision and versatility. This technique cuts sections of hair with foil, which contains the hair color in certain strands. It is usually used for blonde highlights on dark hair.
This method allows for controlled saturation and heat application, resulting in uniformly raised filaments with distinct contrast.
Foil highlights are ideal for achieving vibrant, even color effects, whether it’s a natural look or bold, colorful hues.
The foil’s insulating properties also help to intensify the lightening process, making it particularly effective for darker shades of hair.
Balayage
Balayage, derived from the French word meaning “to sweep,” is a freehand hair coloring technique known for its effortlessly chic results.
Unlike traditional highlights, the balayage technique involves applying color to sections of hair, usually starting at the mid-lengths. The color fades to the edges in a sweeping motion, hence the name.
This creates a soft, natural-looking gradient effect, with lighter pieces blending seamlessly into the base color.
Balayage highlights offer a low-maintenance alternative to traditional highlighting. The best part is that this look grows out beautifully without harsh lines or noticeable regrowth, perfect for those who want low maintenance.
Babylights
Looking for a whisper of color?
If you like subtle highlights, babylights could be your jam. This subtle hair coloring technique mimics the natural, sun-kissed look of children’s hair.
These ultra-fine highlights are applied in very small sections throughout the hair, creating a soft and natural effect.
Low lights
Lowlights add depth, dimension and richness to hair by incorporating darker shades or tones. Unlike highlights, which lighten sections of hair, lowlights involve applying darker color to selected hair strands, creating a multi-dimensional effect.
Ombre Highlights
Ombré highlights are characterized by a gradual transition from darker roots to lighter ends, creating a dramatic gradient effect.
Unlike traditional highlights, where the color is applied evenly throughout the hair, ombre highlights achieve an even blend of dark hair at the roots to a lighter shade towards the ends.
Dark
Sombre hair, short for “subtle ombre,” is a hair coloring technique that offers a softer, more subtle version of the traditional ombre.
This technique usually uses tones closer to the natural hair color, resulting in a more subtle and vibrant look.
Rough spots
Thick Y2K highlights include chunky sections of hair that are lightened or dyed to create distinct, noticeable bits of color.
Unlike more subtle highlighting methods, chunky highlights are characterized by their larger size and higher contrast to the base color.
Think Kelly Clarkson circa 2003.
Peek-A-Boo Highlights
This playful hair coloring technique involves vibrant, contrasting colors placed strategically under a top layer, creating hidden colors that stand out when the hair moves.
This technique emphasizes the element of surprise as colorful highlights are subtly revealed, adding depth and dimension to the overall look.
Face framing features
As the name suggests, these types of highlights accentuate and enhance facial features.
Strategically placed around the hairline and framing the face, this technique brightens the complexion, adds warmth or creates a more youthful appearance.
Pieces of Money
This trendy look features bold, face-framing highlights strategically placed around the front hairline, framing the face from temples to chin.
The money is usually lighter than the rest of the hair, creating a striking contrast that enhances the overall look.
These types of highlights are designed to add brightness and dimension to hair, drawing attention to facial features and creating a focal point.
Headlights
Splashlights are a signature look that creates a horizontal band of color in the hair, resembling a splash of light.
This technique usually involves applying a concentrated band of color horizontally to the mid-lengths of the hair, from ear to ear, leaving the roots and ends untouched.
The result is a bold and graphic effect that adds contrast and dimension to the hair.
Multidimensional highlights
Multidimensional highlights are about incorporating different tones and shades to create depth, dimension and richness in hair color.
Unlike traditional highlights, which usually involve adding a uniform color throughout the hair, multidimensional highlights use multiple shades to mimic the natural variations found in hair.
By mixing lighter and darker shades together, multi-dimensional highlights can enhance hair’s natural texture and movement. This makes hair look thicker and can even complement a person’s skin tone and features.
This creates a more vibrant and visually interesting hair color that appears multifaceted and dimensional.
Final thoughts
Exploring the diverse world of hair color highlights reveals many options to suit every style, preference and personality. From the precision of foil highlights to the soft, blended effect of balayage, there’s a technique for everyone.
Whether you want understated elegance or bold looks, the different types of highlights offer endless possibilities.
By understanding the different techniques available and working with a professional colorist, you can achieve the best highlights to lighten your hair.
Until next time,
MEET THE AUTHOR 🤩
Hollee is a licensed cosmetologist with over nine years of professional experience in the hair industry. With her unique insight and versatile experience, she’ll help you discover the latest hair trends or even crush your next DIY hair project.
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🌟 Your turn: What do you think about these different types of hair color highlights? Which technique is your favorite? Write your thoughts in the comment section below!👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼
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