You've always been curious about experimenting with your hair colour, and lately, you've been considering going for that gorgeous, sun-kissed blonde with highlights look. But before you go ahead and book that salon appointment, it's essential to learn about the various techniques and trends when it comes to blonde highlights, ensuring you make the right choice for your hair and personal style. This article is your ultimate guide, walking you through the evolution of blonde highlights, different types of highlights, how to maintain them, and so much more.
The Evolution of Blonde Highlights
Blonde highlights have come a long way since the chunky, stark contrast of the 90s and early 2000s. These days, the techniques used by hairstylists have evolved to create more natural-looking, seamless blends of colour that enhance your base shade while adding dimension and depth. This evolution has led to the rise of various types of highlights, each with its own unique appeal, making it easier than ever to find the perfect blonde with highlights look for you.
The shift from the early days of highlights to today's modern techniques has allowed the hair colour industry to develop new and improved products that are gentler on the hair and produce more consistent results. As a result, you can now enjoy a wide array of blonde highlight options that suit your personal preferences, hair type, and lifestyle.
Different Types of Highlights for Blonde Hair
a. Balayage
If you're looking for a low-maintenance, natural-looking blonde with highlights style, balayage might be the perfect choice for you. This French technique involves hand-painting highlights onto the hair, creating a soft, sun-kissed effect that grows out gracefully without harsh lines or obvious regrowth. Balayage is suitable for all hair types and lengths, and it allows your hairstylist to customise the placement of your highlights for a personalised result that enhances your features and complements your base colour.
b. Foil Highlights
Foil highlights are a classic method used to achieve precise, evenly distributed blonde highlights throughout the hair. This technique involves applying the colour using foils, which are folded around small sections of hair to isolate them from the rest of the strands. The result is a more uniform and defined look compared to balayage, with a higher level of contrast between the base colour and the highlights. Foil highlights are ideal for those who prefer a more polished and structured appearance, and they can be customised in terms of thickness, placement, and colour intensity.
c. Shadow
Shadow highlights, sometimes referred to as shadow roots, are an excellent option for those who want a more subtle, low-maintenance blonde with highlights look. This technique involves blending the highlight colour into the roots, creating a soft, shadow-like effect that adds depth and dimension to the hair without the need for frequent touch-ups. Shadow highlights can be achieved using various methods, including balayage, foils, or even freehand painting, depending on your desired outcome and your hairstylist's expertise.
d. Dark
Dark blonde highlights are perfect for those who want to add some dimension and interest to their hair without going too light. This technique involves adding subtle, darker blonde tones throughout the hair, creating a multi-dimensional effect that adds depth and contrast without being overly dramatic. Dark blonde highlights can be achieved using any of the methods mentioned above, and they can be customised to suit your base colour, hair type, and personal style preferences.
e. Babylights
Babylights are a delicate, ultra-fine type of blonde highlight that mimics the natural, sun-kissed strands you had as a child. This technique involves applying very thin, subtle highlights throughout the hair, creating an incredibly natural and low-maintenance result. Babylights can be achieved using foils or balayage, and they're the perfect choice for those who want to brighten their hair without committing to a more dramatic colour change.
Choosing the Right Shade of Blonde Highlights
When it comes to blonde with highlights, selecting the right shade is crucial for achieving a flattering and harmonious result. The best shade for you will depend on various factors, including your skin tone, natural hair colour, and personal preferences. Here are some general guidelines to help you choose the perfect shade of blonde highlights for your hair:
For fair skin tones, opt for cooler, ashier blonde shades, such as champagne or icy blonde.
For medium skin tones, consider warmer, golden blonde highlights, such as honey or caramel.
For olive skin tones, go for neutral or slightly warm blonde shades, like beige or sand.
For dark skin tones, choose rich, warm blonde tones, like amber or golden brown.
Keep in mind that these are just general guidelines, and the best way to determine the most suitable shade for you is by consulting with a professional hairstylist who can assess your unique hair colour, skin tone, and personal style.
Latest Trends in Blonde Highlights
Blonde highlights continue to evolve and adapt to the latest fashion trends, providing you with endless options to update and refresh your look. Some of the most popular blonde with highlights trends right now include:
Face-framing highlights: this technique involves placing brighter, more intense highlights around the face, creating a flattering and illuminating effect that draws attention to your features and adds dimension to your hair.
Money piece highlights: this trend involves adding a bold, statement highlight in the front section of the hair, usually starting from the roots and extending to the tips. Money piece highlights can be any shade of blonde, and they're a great way to add a pop of colour and interest to your hair without committing to a full head of highlights.
Blonde ombre: this popular trend involves gradually transitioning from a darker root colour to lighter blonde highlights towards the ends of the hair, creating a soft and seamless blend of shades. Blonde ombre can be achieved using various techniques, including balayage, foils, or a combination of both.
Rooted blonde: rooted blonde highlights embrace the natural, lived-in look by allowing the roots to remain darker while the rest of the hair is lightened with blonde highlights. This low-maintenance trend is perfect for those who don't want to worry about frequent touch-ups and want to achieve a more effortless, casual vibe.
Pastel blonde highlights: for those who want to experiment with a more daring and playful look, pastel blonde highlights are a fun and creative option. This trend involves adding subtle hints of pastel colours, like pink, lavender, or blue, to your blonde highlights, creating a whimsical and unique effect.
How to Maintain Your Blonde Highlights
Once you've achieved your dream blonde with highlights look, it's essential to take proper care of your hair to maintain the colour, minimise damage, and keep your locks looking healthy and vibrant. Here are some tips for maintaining your blonde highlights:
Invest in a sulfate-free shampoo: sulfate-free shampoos are gentler on colour-treated hair, helping to preserve your blonde highlights and prevent them from fading or turning brassy.
Use a purple shampoo: purple shampoos are designed to neutralise unwanted yellow and brassy tones in blonde hair, keeping your highlights looking fresh and bright.
Deep condition regularly: bleached and colour-treated hair can become dry and damaged over time, so it's crucial to give your locks some extra TLC with a deep conditioning treatment at least once a week.
Protect your hair from heat: excessive heat styling can cause your blonde highlights to fade and become damaged, so always use a heat protectant spray before using hot tools and try to air-dry your hair whenever possible.
Schedule regular touch-ups: depending on the type of highlights you have and how fast your hair grows, you'll likely need to schedule touch-up appointments every 6-8 weeks to keep your blonde highlights looking fresh and flawless.
The Benefits of Choosing Blonde Highlights
There are several benefits to opting for blonde with highlights, including:
Versatility: blonde highlights offer endless options in terms of shade, technique, and placement, making it easy to find a look that suits your personal style and preferences.
Low-maintenance: many types of blonde highlights, like balayage and shadow roots, are designed to grow out gracefully, requiring minimal touch-ups and making them a convenient and low-maintenance option for those with busy lifestyles.
Enhanced hair texture: blonde highlights can add depth, dimension, and visual interest to your hair, making it appear thicker, fuller, and more voluminous.
Customisability: blonde highlights can be tailored to suit your unique hair colour, skin tone, and personal style, ensuring a flattering and harmonious result.
A more youthful appearance: the addition of lighter, brighter blonde highlights can help to illuminate your complexion, giving you a more youthful and radiant appearance.
Tips for a Successful Blonde Highlights Appointment
To ensure that your blonde with highlights appointment goes smoothly and you leave the salon with the results you desire, follow these tips:
Do your research: familiarise yourself with the different types of blonde highlights and determine which technique and shade best suit your hair type, lifestyle, and personal preferences.
Bring inspiration photos: collect several images of blonde highlights that you love and bring them to your appointment to help your hairstylist understand the look you're trying to achieve.
Consult with your stylist: schedule a consultation with your hairstylist before your appointment to discuss your desired outcome, assess your hair's current condition, and determine the best course of action to achieve your dream blonde with highlights look.
Be patient: achieving the perfect shade of blonde highlights may take multiple sessions, especially if you're starting with dark hair or have existing colour in your hair. Be prepared for the process to take time and trust your hairstylist's expertise.
Follow aftercare instructions: to maintain the health and vibrancy of your blonde highlights, follow your hairstylist's recommendations for aftercare, including using colour-safe shampoo, conditioning treatments, and heat protectant products.
Celebrities Rocking Blonde Highlights
Many celebrities have embraced the blonde highlights trend, showcasing various shades and techniques that inspire us all. Here are some of our favourite blonde with highlights looks from celebrities:
Jennifer Aniston: Known for her signature blonde highlights, Jennifer Aniston has been rocking various shades of blonde over the years, from honey to platinum. Her subtle, natural-looking highlights are a perfect example of how to enhance your base colour without going too drastic.
Beyoncé: Beyoncé is the queen of blonde highlights, constantly switching up her look with bold, statement-making styles. Her golden, honey-coloured highlights and voluminous curls are a perfect example of how to achieve a glamorous and eye-catching result.
Margot Robbie: Margot Robbie's blonde highlights are a perfect blend of warm, golden tones and natural-looking depth. Her balayage highlights enhance her natural hair colour and complement her skin tone and features.
Chrissy Teigen: Chrissy Teigen's blonde highlights are a mix of dark roots and bright, platinum ends, creating a stunning contrast that adds dimension and interest to her hair. Her bold, high-contrast look is perfect for those who want to make a statement with their blonde with highlights style.
Gigi Hadid: Gigi Hadid's blonde highlights are a perfect example of how to achieve a seamless, natural-looking result. Her balayage highlights are placed strategically to enhance her features and create a sun-kissed effect that looks effortless and chic.
Conclusion
Blonde highlights is a timeless and versatile hair colour trend that continues to evolve and adapt to the latest fashion trends. With so many techniques and shades to choose from, it's easy to find a look that suits your personal style and enhances your natural beauty. Whether you prefer low-maintenance balayage or structured foil highlights, or if you want to experiment with the latest trends like face-framing highlights or pastel tones, there's a blonde with highlights look out there for you. Remember to consult with a professional hairstylist, take good care of your hair, and enjoy your new, refreshed look!
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