The latest trends in hair highlights range from face-framing baby lights to subtle pops of color that mimic your natural strand patterns. Using techniques like foliage, base bumping, and root smudging, hairstylists can create your desired look without a drastic color change.

Papanikolas recommends using a sulfate-free shampoo specially formulated for color-treated hair to ensure your new hue lasts. Then, touch up every 8-12 weeks for a consistent, healthy glow. Click Macrolights Hair to learn more.

Unlike traditional highlights, which are chunkier and more apparent, micro highlights use ultra-fine precision to create subtle yet impactful dimensions. By simulating the way natural sunlight lightens hair, this technique creates a sun-kissed impression that seamlessly blends into the surrounding hair color. Micro highlights are perfect for those looking to add a little extra color without going too far from their natural look.

Micro Highlights work on any hair type, whether it’s curly, wavy, or straight. This is because the finely woven strands of color are so delicate that they’re easily blended into the strands of your natural hair. This makes it easy for a hair stylist to customize your look and match the colors of your face, eyes, and complexion. In addition to adding pops of color that are eye-catching and flattering, this technique also helps to create more volume and texture in thin or fine hair, while blending with thicker strands for a beautiful, all-over effect.

To achieve this look, a hair stylist will typically employ one of two techniques: foiling or balayage. Foiling involves wrapping sections of hair in foil and applying the lightener, whereas balayage is a freehand painting method that allows for a more natural-looking blend. Another option is a combination of both, known as “foilayage.” This technique offers the best of both worlds by using foils to create precise, controlled highlights while allowing for a soft, natural-looking finish.

When it comes to maintenance, micro highlights require minimal upkeep compared to traditional highlights. Hair stylists recommend having them refreshed every 8-12 weeks to ensure they remain vibrant.

If you’re interested in transforming your hair with micro highlights, it’s important to meet with a skilled hair colorist who can provide an in-depth consultation and assessment of your current hair. They’ll take into consideration your hair color goals, texture, and any previous treatments you’ve had. During this time, your stylist will also offer tips and recommendations on what style of highlights would be best for you.

Babylights

Babylights are a subtly-colored alternative to highlights that create a soft, natural-looking glow. They are created by applying a hair lightener Opens in a new tab, such as Blondor Opens in a new tab to much finer sections of the hair than traditional highlights. These micro-fine highlights are then woven into the client’s base color to create depth and dimension. They can be toned to all manner of shades, from cool ash browns to warm caramel hues, or they can be left bright and sparkly for a beautiful, sun-kissed blonde finish.

The softer nature of this highlighting technique makes it ideal for clients who want a gradual change in their hair color that will blend into their natural color as it grows out without the awkward “growth-out” phase that can often occur with other highlighting techniques. Babylights also work well with lowlights, which are darker strands that add nuance to the look and can be mixed into your client’s babylights to create a more dramatic effect.

Whether your client chooses to keep their babylights subtle and understated or vibrant and dramatic, it’s important for them to take care of their delicate strands and avoid heat styling as much as possible. They should also use a color-safe shampoo and conditioner, limit their exposure to UV rays, and schedule regular deep conditioning treatments to maintain the health of their hair and the vibrancy of their color.

As with all highlighting services, it’s important to be aware of how long this process will take before your client comes in for their appointment. Depending on the condition of their hair and how light they want to go, it may take multiple sessions to achieve their desired look. It’s also important to make sure your client understands that they will likely require regular touch-ups, as regrowth will be much softer than it would be with other highlighting techniques.

For a gorgeous, natural-looking finish, you should always recommend that your clients keep their new color looking its best by using Kenra Professional products to keep their hair healthy and shiny. This will help to enhance the luster of their babylights and ensure that they last as long as possible.

Money Pieces

Money pieces are a bold face-framing highlight that gives you a glamorous look. The style can be applied through balayage, babylights, weaves, or slices and is ideal for those who want to add a pop of color without going all out with a full hair transformation. The technique is also easy to maintain for a low-maintenance look. The shade you choose can vary from natural to vibrant, depending on your preferences. It’s recommended to stay within the warmer-toned shades, such as blondes and caramels for blondes or warm browns for brunettes.

Whether you have long or short hair, money piece highlights will make your hair look stunning. This is due to their versatile nature and polished effect that’s suitable for most hair lengths and textures. Additionally, this face-framing color technique looks equally stunning on both wavy and straight hair.

The 90s-inspired style is a favorite among Gen Z, with many stars from the music, fashion, and film industries rocking the look. It’s easy to see why, as the style is flattering for all complexions and creates a sense of edginess that’s both classic and trendy. Plus, it’s a great way to give your look an expensive feel without having to spend too much time or money.

While you can DIY money piece highlights, it’s best to visit a professional colorist to get the best results. This is especially true if you have shorter hair, as the placement of the highlights will be more important to the final result. Additionally, a professional colorist will be able to provide you with expert advice and precision that DIY kits and at-home color products may not offer.

In terms of colors, money pieces work well with any hue. However, it’s important to pick a shade that compliments your skin tone and works well with the rest of your coloring. For example, if you have blonde hair, it’s a good idea to go with caramel or honey tones for a natural look. However, you can also experiment with a more vivid hue to really make your money pieces stand out.

Shadow Roots

Shadow roots are a coloring technique that blends highlights and darker root color to create a natural look. They can be used to soften an ombre, add gray coverage, or mask unwanted tones. The key is the delicate contrast between your natural hair shade and the dyed section. This contrast can be as subtle or as dramatic as you like and is a perfect solution for those who want to avoid the stark line between roots and ends. Shadow roots also provide wiggle room for touch-ups between hair color appointments, saving you time and money.

The best thing about this coloring technique is that it’s versatile enough for every client, whether you’re a blonde looking to lighten up, or a brunette wanting to give your hair a little more dimension. It can be used in any length of hair, but it’s particularly effective for those who have fine hair and are struggling to maintain volume because the dark roots help ground your style.

Unlike bleaching or streaking, the process for creating a shadow root is relatively painless and fast. A professional stylist will apply the color directly to the root area of your hair, and you’ll be able to walk out of the salon with a gorgeous new shade that matches your highlight color.

If you’re worried about maintenance or want to save some time, try opting for a darker shade of your current color for your roots. That way, you won’t need to come back in for a touch-up for quite some time, and your hair will still look great when the roots start to grow out!

Another option is to mix a shadow root with a lighter shade for a more dimensional look. This will create a more blended transition between your natural color and your highlighted sections, which can be a more attractive look for those who aren’t ready to commit to a full head of shadow root.

Keep in mind that shadow roots can look brassy over time, especially if your hair is blonde. You can help reduce this by using sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners, and limiting sun exposure.