Hair fatigue is real. (You know, when you’re so painfully bored with your current color and style, you start daydreaming about chopping it all off and wondering if a buzzcut would suit you.) But before you go full buzzcut—not that we’d stop you—hear us out if you’re feeling bored of your current look: There are tons of simple highlight ideas that can add some major life and excitement back into your strands ASAP.
From subtle tints to rainbow hues, find 25 unexpected and classic highlight ideas we love for every color and texture below.
Nearly Platinum
It may take a few sessions, but going for almost platinum blonde highlights is certainly an option for any and all shades‚ even brunettes. In fact, natural dark roots peeking out contrast with the stark lightness quite beautifully.
Caramel Drizzle
Brighten up dark, curly hair with subtle, caramel highlights that blend beautifully with your natural shade.
Smoky Ash
If you’re not a fan of color, smoky highlights might be just what you’re looking for. An ashy shade pairs perfectly with naturally chocolate brown hair.
Deep Ruby
You’ll look like a total gem—and you might be surprised by how chic and subtle a ruby (or firetruck red) color melt can look on dark hair.
Face-Framing Golden Highlights
Concentrating the lightest color just along the hair that frames the face instantly brightens your look.
Touch of Plum
We’re always obsessing over plum highlights, and we love how gorgeously blended they are here with the client’s natural dark hue.
Violet Vision
If you have naturally curly hair, take your coils up a notch by adding a splash of purple for extra dimension. (We’re already a sucker for purple highlights—find our fave styles here.)
Pop of Peach
For natural brunettes who need a pick-me-up, a soft peach hue might be the unexpected shade that has your name on it.
Silver Streaks
Gray hair has never been more desirable—and it’s about time. When silvery highlights look this good, why not embrace it?
Baby Blue
Whatever your base color is, a baby blue highlight shade is adorable, cool, and stunning on every hair color and skin tone. Sign us up.
’90s Babylights
Highlights don’t have to be in-your-face obvious—just a gentle painting of color to add dimension is sometimes all you need to elevate your look.
A Little Lavender
We’ll never say “no” to a lavender moment. For natural blondes feeling a little bored, a muted lilac tone is perfect for still feeling like yourself (with an added, colorful edge, of course).
Sunburst Streaks
These luscious auburn curls get even more dimension with a hint of golden strawberry natural highlights peppered throughout.
Peach Sorbet
We’re practically drooling over this peachy creation that steers more toward balayage with some face-framing highlights mixed in.
Warm Bronze
If your natural brown hair is feeling drab and cold, nothing warms up your hairstyle faster than a gorgeous, honey-bronze highlight.
Subtle Rose Gold
If you love the idea of colorful highlights but want to keep things wearable, rose gold may be just what you’re looking for. It’s edgy enough to stand out but subtle enough to blend in.
