Highlights are one of those hair colour choices you can rarely go truly wrong with, and yet so much depends on how the colour is applied and which technique your stylist reaches for. For one person, a handful of fine blonde strands brings instant freshness to their hair. For another, warmer caramel tones are exactly what pull out the glow in their complexion.
The good news? Today's highlighting is a world away from the flat, one-dimensional foil job many of us still picture in our heads. Here's how to choose the right approach for you.
The most popular highlighting techniques
Salons now offer several methods, and each one gives your hair a completely different character.
- Foil highlights: the classic technique, where the stylist separates thin sections of hair, wraps them in foil and lightens them. It creates a bolder, higher-contrast look with clearly visible stripes.
- Balayage: a freehand technique where the colour builds up gradually towards the ends. The result looks more natural, as if the sun had lightened your strands, and regrowth is far less noticeable because there's no sharp line.
- Babylights: highlights made from tiny, ultra-fine strands, often compared to the sun-kissed hair we had as kids. They add delicate, subtle brightness, which is why so many women choose them when they don't want a dramatic change.
- Ombré: the roots stay darker while the colour gets progressively lighter towards the ends. A great option for anyone who loves a striking gradient but doesn't want to book touch-ups too often.
Which shade actually suits you?
When you're choosing a highlight shade, it's smart to start with your skin's undertone.
- If you have cool, rosy skin, ashy blonde, platinum or a cool baby-blonde often works best, because these won't pull your complexion in a yellow direction.
- For warmer, olive or deeper skin tones, honey blonde, caramel and bronze shades tend to be the most flattering, adding warmth and light to the face.
- On darker base hair, caramel or chocolate-brown highlights look especially good, because they don't clash with your natural colour but still add depth and shine.
- And for a lighter, blonde base, icy or pearl-blonde tones are the perfect match, creating a cool, polished finish.
If you're leaning towards a soft, sun-kissed effect, it's worth exploring the best balayage colour pairings before your next appointment.
How to care for highlighted hair at home
Because it's been lightened, highlighted hair is always more delicate and porous than untreated strands, so your at-home routine really isn't a step you can skip.
- Sulphate-free shampoo: the harsh cleansing agents in traditional shampoos strip colour quickly, while sulphate-free versions clean more gently and help your fresh shade last longer.
- Purple shampoo: on blonde and cool-toned highlights, purple pigments neutralise brassy yellow tones. Used once or twice a week, they keep your colour looking noticeably fresh.
- Deep hydrating mask: highlighted hair tends to dry out, so it's worth using an intensive hair mask at least once a week to restore elasticity.
- Heat protectant spray: a must before blow-drying or straightening, because highlighted, already-porous strands break more easily when heat hits them unprotected.
- Wash less often: the fewer times you wash, the longer the colour stays put, which is why many people rely on dry shampoo on the days in between.
When should you head back to the salon?
One of the biggest perks of highlights is that regrowth is far less obvious than with a single all-over colour, so you don't need weekly upkeep. With foil highlights or babylights, a return trip every two to three months usually does the trick, while balayage and ombré can hold beautifully for four to five months before they need a refresh.
Which highlighting technique looks the most natural?
Balayage and babylights give the most natural, sun-kissed effect, since the colour blends softly without a sharp line. Foil highlights create a bolder, more contrasted look.
How do I choose a highlight shade for my skin tone?
Start with your undertone: cool, rosy skin suits ashy and platinum blondes, while warm or olive skin looks great with honey, caramel and bronze. Darker hair pairs well with caramel or chocolate brown.
Why does highlighted hair need special care?
Lightening makes hair more porous and delicate, so it dries out and breaks more easily. Sulphate-free shampoo, deep masks and heat protectant help keep it healthy and hold the colour.
How often do highlights need a touch-up?
Foil highlights and babylights usually need refreshing every two to three months, while balayage and ombré can last four to five months before a touch-up is needed.
