Introducing the types of hair color highlights!
Have you ever been thinking about hair color ideas for hours, only to be frozen when your stylist asks, “What kind of highlights do you have in mind?”
This is the moment you need inspiration—But what is the right highlight for you?
From delicate babylights to bold money pieces, the world of hair color techniques is vast.
In this ultimate guide, we’ll explore the different types of highlights and help you find the best option for your personal needs.
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Full and partial highlights
Understanding the difference between full and partial highlights is essential to achieving your desired look.
Full head highlights color your entire head from root to tip, creating a more dramatic, overall effect.
Partial highlights, on the other hand, add subtle pops of color to specific parts of your hair.
foil highlights
Foil highlights are a tried-and-true technique loved by hairstylists for their precision and versatility. This technique involves cutting out sections of hair in foil that contain a specific hair color. Often used for blonde highlights on black hair.
This method allows for controlled saturation and heat application, resulting in evenly lifted strands with clear contrast.
Foil highlights are perfect for achieving vibrant, even color effects, whether you want a natural look or bold, colorful hues.
The insulating properties of foil also help enhance the lightening process, making it especially effective for dark hair tones.
balayage
Balayage, which comes from the French word meaning “to sweep,” is a freehand hair coloring technique known for its effortless and chic results.
Unlike traditional highlights, balayage techniques involve painting color on sections of your hair (usually starting at mid-lengths). The name comes from the fact that the color is rolled down to the edges in a stroking motion.
This creates a soft, natural gradient effect, with bright areas blending seamlessly into the base color.
Balayage highlights are a low-maintenance alternative to traditional highlights. The best part is that this look grows beautifully without any harsh lines or noticeable regrowth. Perfect for those who don’t require much maintenance.
baby light
Looking for a whisper of color?
If you prefer subtle highlights, babylights may be the way to go. This delicate hair color technique mimics the natural look of sun-kissed children’s hair.
These ultra-fine highlights are applied in very small areas throughout the hair, creating a soft, natural-looking effect.
low lights
Lowlights add depth, dimension, and fullness to your hair by incorporating darker shades and tones. Unlike highlights, which lighten sections of your hair, lowlights apply darker colors to selected strands of hair, creating a multidimensional effect.
ombre highlights
Ombre highlights are characterized by a gradual transition from dark roots to light ends, creating a striking gradient effect.
Unlike traditional highlights, where the color is applied evenly throughout the hair, ombré highlights seamlessly blend from dark hair at the roots to lighter shades towards the ends.
sombre
Sombre hair stands for “subtle ombre” and is a hair coloring technique that offers a softer, more subtle version of traditional ombre.
This technique typically uses tones that are close to your natural hair color, resulting in a more subdued and lively look.
thick highlights
Chunky Y2K highlights include areas of lighter hair to create distinct, noticeable clumps of color.
Unlike more subtle highlighting methods, chunky highlights are characterized by their large size and high contrast with the base color.
Remember Kelly Clarkson circa 2003?
peekaboo highlights
This playful hair coloring technique involves strategically placing vibrant, contrasting colors under the top layer to create hidden pops of color that peek through when your hair moves.
This technique subtly reveals colorful highlights, enhancing the wow factor and adding depth and dimension to the overall look.
face framing highlights
As the name suggests, these types of highlights accentuate and accentuate facial features.
Strategically placed around the hairline and face, this technique brightens the complexion, adds warmth, and creates a more youthful appearance.
piece of money
This trendy look includes bold face-contouring highlights placed strategically around the bangs and hairline, framing the face from the temples to the chin.
The money part 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 your hair, draw attention to your facial features, and create a focal point.
splash light
Splash lights create horizontal bands of color throughout your hair for a unique look that resembles a splash of light.
This technique usually involves applying a concentrated strip of color horizontally in the mid-section of the hair from ear to ear, leaving the roots and ends untouched.
The result is a bold, graphic effect that adds contrast and dimension to your hair.
multidimensional highlights
Multidimensional highlights incorporate a variety of tones and hues to create depth, dimension, and richness in your hair color.
Unlike traditional highlights, which typically add one uniform color throughout your hair, multidimensional highlights utilize multiple shades to mimic the natural variations found in your hair.
By blending light and dark shades, you can create multidimensional highlights and emphasize your hair’s natural texture and movement. This makes the hair appear thicker and can also complement an individual’s skin tone and features.
This creates a more vibrant and visually interesting hair color that looks multifaceted and three-dimensional.
final thoughts
As you explore the diverse world of hair color highlights, you’ll find many options to suit every style, taste, and personality. From the precision of foil highlights to the soft, blended effect of balayage, there’s a technique for everyone.
Whether you’re looking for subtle sophistication or a style that makes a bold statement, 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 illuminate your hair.
Until next time,
meet the author 🤩
Hollee is a licensed cosmetologist with over 9 years of professional experience in the hair industry. With her unique insight and her versatile experience, she will help you discover the latest hair trends or make your next DIY hair project a success..
learn more!
🌟It’s your turn: What do you think about these different types of hair color highlights? Which technique is your favorite? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼
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