The Best 19+ Highlights Hair Ideas You NEED to Try

I was just staring at myself in the bathroom mirror this morning while brushing my teeth, and I suddenly realized I’m in a major style rut. Like, a serious, staring-blankly-at-my-reflection kind of rut. My hair just looks so flat and one-dimensional lately, and it honestly made me want to grab a pair of kitchen scissors and do something crazy. But then I remembered the Great Bangs Incident of 2018, and I slowly backed away from the drawer. Instead of a drastic chop that I’d regret by tomorrow morning, I started going down a massive Pinterest rabbit hole looking for highlights hair inspiration. It’s actually crazy how just adding a little bit of dimension and light can completely transform your entire face and vibe.

Looking at all these pictures actually brought back a really funny memory from my early college days. I decided I wanted to be a sunny, beachy blonde, but I had exactly zero extra dollars to my name. So I went to the drugstore, bought a cheap box dye that promised sunshine in a bottle, and went to town in my tiny, poorly lit dorm bathroom.

Let’s just say I looked less like a beach babe and way more like a striped zebra. My hair was bright orange and brassy yellow. I literally had to wear a beanie to all my classes for two weeks straight until I could afford to get it fixed by a real professional! That definitely taught me to leave the chemical processing to the experts.

But now that I’m older and a tiny bit wiser, I know exactly what to ask for when I sit in the salon chair. I’ve been saving so many stunning photos to my mood board recently, and I just had to share them with you guys. Whether you want something super subtle or a totally dramatic color shift, there’s a little something here for everyone.

Rich Chocolate and Caramel Dreams

Okay, we are starting off strong with this absolute masterpiece. If you have darker hair and want to add some gorgeous warmth without going fully light, caramel highlights are honestly your best friend.

They just melt into a brunette base so beautifully and make your hair look so incredibly shiny and healthy. It gives that perfect sun-kissed vibe that looks amazing year-round, whether you’re at the beach or drinking cocoa in the winter.

Bright and Breezy Summer Vibes

This is exactly what I picture when I think of the ultimate summer look. Adding some bright blonde highlights just instantly lifts your complexion and makes you look so awake and refreshed.

I love how they kept the root just a tiny bit darker so it grows out really nicely without leaving a harsh, obvious line. It’s the perfect low-maintenance way to embrace a lighter shade.

The Ultimate Subtle Glow

Sometimes you just want a tiny little refresh instead of a massive, shocking change. That’s exactly where babylights come in to save the day.

They are basically super delicate, micro-fine sections of color that mimic how the sun would naturally lighten a child’s hair during the summer. I think this look is just so effortlessly chic and pretty without trying too hard.

That Flawless Sweeping Blend

I’m seriously so obsessed with how seamless this color transition is. When you opt for full highlights that are painted on with a balayage technique like this, you get such a gorgeous, multi-dimensional effect that moves beautifully when you walk. It requires sitting in the salon chair for quite a few hours, but the results are so worth the numb bum!

Bringing Light to Your Features

This look right here is my current absolute favorite trend. Adding some bright face framing highlights is literally like walking around with your own personal ring light all day long. It brightens up your eyes and just makes your skin look so glowy and fresh. I tried this last year and it honestly made me feel so much more confident in photos.

Delicate and Dimensional Movement

I just love how soft and romantic this particular style is. By weaving fine highlights throughout the lengths, it creates a really smooth, creamy overall color that doesn’t look streaky or dated at all. It just looks like you were naturally blessed with perfectly sun-lightened hair, and we love a good beauty secret.

A Nod to the Early 2000s

So, I know we all panicked a little bit when we heard that chunky highlights were making a comeback. But just look at this! It’s a totally modern, elevated take on the trend we used to see everywhere in middle school. Instead of harsh, unblended zebra stripes, it’s bold panels of color that look surprisingly edgy and cool. I’m actually really tempted to try this for the fall.

Keeping it Simple and Sweet

If you’re totally new to coloring your hair and feel a little nervous, this is the perfect gateway style. Getting partial highlights just around the crown and the front is a great way to dip your toes in without committing to a full head of foils. It’s way faster at the salon and saves you some money too, which means more cash for iced coffees!

Sweeping Movement and Texture

The way the natural light hits the waves in this photo is just mesmerizing to me. It really shows how adding dimension can make fine hair look so much thicker and more voluminous than it actually is. I always ask my stylist to give me this kind of loose, beachy wave after a color service because it just shows off the blend so perfectly.

Cascading Ribbons of Color

This placement technique is seriously just so dreamy and beautiful. Ribbon highlights involve taking slightly wider sections of hair so the color really pops and spirals as it falls down your back. It looks incredibly striking on long, wavy hair like this, and it gives such a fun, playful energy to your overall look.

Cool Toned Perfection

I’m absolutely living for these cooler, ashier tones right now. It takes a really talented colorist to get that perfect icy shade without it looking dull or grey. If you ever try to go this cool, just make sure you invest in a really good purple shampoo to keep it looking fresh and bright between your appointments.

Warm Honey Goodness

On the flip side, sometimes you just need to embrace the warmth! This honey-toned blend is so incredibly flattering on so many different skin tones. It just radiates health and shine. I actually spilled a massive iced matcha latte all over my brand new white shirt right after leaving the salon with a color similar to this once. I was so mad about the shirt, but my hair looked way too good for me to stay upset for long!

Effortlessly Undone

This is that “I just woke up like this” look that we are all secretly striving for every single morning. The color placement is so natural and relaxed, making it perfect for an everyday style. It doesn’t look over-processed or stiff at all, which is the ultimate goal when you’re going for a lived-in aesthetic.

The Brunette Refresh

Sometimes brunettes get totally ignored in the coloring world because everyone focuses on blondes, but this proves how amazing a subtle lift can be. Adding just a few lighter, chestnut pieces through the ends gives the whole style so much more life and movement. It’s such a chic, understated look that requires barely any upkeep.

Dramatic Contrast

I love it when people aren’t afraid to play with a little bit of bold contrast. Having a significantly darker root melting into brighter, lighter ends is such a cool, modern style. Plus, it means you can go way longer between salon visits because the root grow-out is intentional, which is always a massive bonus in my book!

Artistic and Edgy Blends

This photo just gives me such cool, creative energy. The way the colors are woven together is honestly like a work of art. It really reminds you that doing your hair is a form of self-expression, and you shouldn’t take it too seriously. You can totally play around, mix tones, and just have fun with it.

Creamy Beige Dreams

We are finishing off this massive list with an absolute stunner. This beige blonde balayage is the perfect neutral tone – not too warm, not too ashy. It’s just a really elegant, expensive-looking color that would look amazing on literally anyone. If I had to pick a favorite, this one might just be the winner.