Blonde highlights are a fantastic way to brighten and add dimension to your hair. Whether you prefer subtle, sun-kissed streaks or bold, dramatic contrasts, there’s a technique to suit your preference and enhance your base color.
Blonde Highlights Advice
Blonde highlights are a great way to get the blonde look with a little less upkeep. However, there are still a few things you can do to maintain bright, beautiful highlights.
- Highlighting your hair properly takes a lot of skill, so make sure you book an appointment with a stylist to do the actual coloring. That way, you know you’re getting a flattering color and balanced application. A professional will also be able to minimize damage or tell you if you have to split your highlights into multiple sessions to protect your hair.
- Once you’ve left the salon, make sure you swap out your shampoo and conditioner for products made for dyed hair, specifically blond shades, to prevent brassiness. This shampoo from Olaplex intensifies and brightens blonde shades while also hydrating your locks. You can even pair it with its matching Olaplex conditioner that tones your hair to keep the shade pristine between touch-ups.
- Don’t overwash your hair, though. Not only will shampooing too much strip the oil your hair needs, but it will also fade your color a lot faster. Most people only have to wash their hair 1-3 times a week.
- If you notice a lot of oil buildup or flatness in your hair, use a dry shampoo. This one from Moroccanoil is made for light shades and adds a little extra texture and volume.
- A few times a month, do a brightening treatment to revitalize your color. This hair mask from Joico is easy to use and softens and smooths your hair to prevent brittleness and frizz.
- Healthy hair is naturally shiny, but dying or highlighting your locks can sometimes dull that glossy appearance. To counteract that, massage a little hair gloss, like this one from Kenra, into your hair.
- Try not to get your hair wet with hot water since high heat dries out hair and leaves it prone to breaking. Wear a shower cap, like this one from Drybar, during your showers, and rinse out your hair with lukewarm water.
- Avoid unnecessary heat on your hair in general. If you can, try to let your locks air dry by using a hair towel like this one from DevaCurl. When you have to use hot tools or a hair dryer, never skip using a heat protectant like this one from Chi.
- Even the sun can change the color of your highlights. To avoid your hair getting lighter than you’d like while also preventing stress from UV rays, use a hair sunscreen, like this mist from COOLA.
- Use hair clips, like these from Drybar, or silk hair ties to pull your hair back rather than rubber bands that tend to cause breakage. Highlighted hair is still dyed, so it is more vulnerable to stress and breakage from tight hairstyles.
- Make sure to stay on top of your touch-up appointments. Depending on how fast your hair grows and what your natural color is, you can expect to go back to the salon every 3-8 weeks to get your roots done.
Blonde Highlights Ideas
Long Wavy Hair with Sun-Kissed Blonde Highlights
This style features long, wavy hair with sun-kissed blonde highlights, creating a natural, beachy look that evokes the essence of summer.
Shoulder-Length Hair with Honey Blonde Highlights
Adding warmth and dimension, this shoulder-length cut is enhanced with honey blonde highlights, perfect for a radiant, sunlit glow.
Dark Brown Hair with Caramel Blonde Highlights
Providing a rich contrast, this dark brown hair is beautifully complemented by caramel blonde highlights, adding depth and vibrancy.
Sleek, Straight Hair with Platinum Blonde Highlights
Offering a cool, modern style, this sleek, straight hair with platinum blonde highlights exudes sophistication and elegance.
