Highlighting dark hair can create an eye-catching look that can be soft, subtle, bold, and striking. Color options such as pink, purple, and red may give the hair a punk aesthetic, while copper hues provide a sensual edge.
For a discreet and natural-looking highlight, choose barely-there streaks that are two shades lighter than your base color. Touch-ups every four to 12 weeks are essential in keeping your locks looking their best.
Fine Highlights
Lighter hues can look incredibly flattering on dark hair. To soften a less contrasty look, ask your colorist to apply face-framing highlights one or two shades lighter than the natural brown hue. This technique works exceptionally well on fine locks looking to add dimension without looking overdone.
Cool-toned balayage offers another possibility, using more astonishing blondes to add dimension to darker strands and create size without adding brassy yellow or gold tones. It may especially suit brunettes with cool skin tones who want something other than traditional brassy yellow/gold tones in their hair color.
Purple highlights on dark hair can add an elegant mermaid-esque aesthetic for your clients. To achieve this shade, lift locks with BlondorPlex 9% before applying Color Fresh CREATE New Blue in small sections to pastelize and highlight. Finally, toner should be used to tone down brightened areas so they do not become brassy over time.
Thick Highlights
Pixie cuts are ideal for girls with short hair who wish to add pizzazz and flair. Paired with light brown highlights, pixie cuts give short locks an exciting edge and draw the focus of attention towards eyes and lips.
Brunettes looking for a sun-kissed look should consider baby lights; this technique provides a subtler take on ombre and can be done all over or around the face. Face frames offer another solution for determining if full highlights are for them. This process lightens selected pieces using a bleach product before toning them back down to their original shade.
Be daring and try copper highlights on your dark hair for an exciting, eye-catching look sure to draw stares! Though this style requires patience, copper highlights will brighten up your complexion while giving off an edgy style that others will notice.
Spicy Highlights
Add spice and dimension to your dark hair by opting for copper highlights on dark locks. Carefully placed, they create warmth and size, while curly locks can benefit significantly from having each coil strategically highlighted by your stylist for stunning results.
If you love the idea of golden highlights without the commitment to blonde, caramel balayage could be needed. These sun-kissed hues pair perfectly with dark brown hair to create an irresistibly sun-kissed look ideal for any season!
Avoid brassy hues using a purple or blue toner after bleaching your hair, which helps neutralize any yellow or orange tones from bleaching treatments. Available at most beauty supply stores, consult with your hairdresser before bleaching, schedule follow-up appointments every six weeks after coloring, and use an oil treatment between coloring appointments for long-lasting results.
Sunset Highlights
When it comes to highlighting dark hair, nothing beats a sunset palette for creating striking highlights. Vivid colors like pinks, purples, and reds help seamlessly complement the natural hue of dark brown hair bases.
Your stylist can choose foil highlight or balayage for this look, depending on your desired contrast. If opting for balayage highlights instead, ask him/her to hand-paint them into each curl and follow its curve for an eye-catching result.
Foil highlighting requires bi-weekly or monthly salon visits for touch-ups and glaze applications; with balayage, you should visit every three to four months for maintenance visits. When maintaining vivid highlights with either method, I suggest using a sulfate-free shampoo like Wella Blondor Freelights enhanced with bond-strengthening technology such as WellaPlex No1 Bond Maker to keep healthy, vibrant locks.
