As 2024 rolls around, it’s time to refresh your hairstyle with something bold and eye-catching. Heavy highlights on dark hair offer a stunning contrast that can dramatically change your look. This guide features 60+ ideas for incorporating heavy highlights into your dark hair, showcasing a range of shades from icy blondes to warm bronzes. Whether you’re seeking a subtle lift or a complete transformation, these styles will inspire you to add some light and vibrancy to your natural darkness.
1. Fiery Highlights
This image showcases long, wavy dark hair with fiery orange highlights. The curls add volume and texture, while the vibrant highlights create a striking contrast against the dark base. To achieve this look, use a curling iron for loose waves and apply hair color in strategic sections to enhance the natural movement of the hair.
2. Teal and Pink Fantasy
Dark, flowing hair is beautifully accented with streaks of teal and pink in this image. The highlights are dispersed throughout the hair, creating a multidimensional effect. To recreate this style, blend teal and pink dyes seamlessly into the hair, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends for a gradient look.
3. Sleek Chocolate Waves
This image presents sleek, dark brown hair with subtle highlights. The hair is smooth and shiny, with a natural wave pattern that adds elegance. For a similar look, use a flat iron to achieve a sleek finish, and add a few strategically placed highlights to enhance the hair’s depth and dimension.
4. Bold Magenta Streaks
A stunning display of dark hair with bold magenta highlights. The highlights are concentrated on the top layers and around the face, giving a vivid pop of color. To achieve this look, section the hair and apply a vibrant magenta dye, focusing on the outer layers for maximum impact.
5. Pink Ribbon Highlights
This image features long, dark hair with ribbon-like pink highlights. The highlights are woven through the hair, creating a dynamic and playful effect. To recreate this look, use a weaving technique to apply the pink dye in long, continuous strands, ensuring the color blends smoothly with the dark base.
6. Pink Streaked Waves
Dark hair with bright pink streaks, styled in loose waves. The highlights are distributed evenly, adding a playful touch to the sophisticated waves. For this look, use a large-barrel curling iron and apply pink highlights throughout the hair, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends for a balanced appearance.
7. Blue Ombre Curls
This image shows dark hair transitioning into a vibrant blue towards the ends, styled in soft curls. The ombre effect creates a gradual blend from dark to light. To achieve this style, bleach the ends of the hair before applying the blue dye, and use a curling iron to add soft, voluminous curls.
8. Subtle Blue Gradient
Long, dark hair with a subtle blue gradient. The highlights start softly near the roots and become more prominent towards the ends. For a similar look, use a balayage technique to blend blue dye into the dark hair, creating a smooth and gradual transition of color.
9. Electric Blue Tips
This image features dark hair with vibrant blue tips, creating a striking ombre effect. The blue color starts subtly near the mid-lengths and becomes more intense towards the ends. To achieve this look, bleach the lower half of the hair before applying the blue dye, and use a curling iron to add soft, voluminous curls that enhance the color transition.
10. Cool Blue Gradient
Dark hair transitions into a cool blue towards the ends, styled in loose waves. The gradient effect is subtle and natural, blending seamlessly from dark roots to blue tips. To recreate this style, use a balayage technique to apply the blue dye, focusing on the lower half of the hair, and add loose curls for a soft, flowing finish.
11. Blue Ombré Waves
This image showcases long, wavy dark hair with a blue ombré effect. The color transition from dark roots to vibrant blue ends creates a dramatic and stylish look. To achieve this style, bleach the ends before applying the blue dye, and use a large-barrel curling iron to create loose waves that enhance the ombré effect.
12. Teal HighlightsThis hairstyle features dark hair with teal highlights, styled in tousled waves. The highlights are concentrated on the lower half, adding a playful touch to the dark base. For this look, apply teal dye to the mid-lengths and ends, and use a texturizing spray to achieve the tousled wave effect.
This hairstyle features dark hair with teal highlights, styled in tousled waves. The highlights are concentrated on the lower half, adding a playful touch to the dark base. For this look, apply teal dye to the mid-lengths and ends, and use a texturizing spray to achieve the tousled wave effect.
13. Frosty Blue Ends
Dark hair with frosty blue ends, styled in loose waves. The blue starts mid-length and intensifies towards the tips, creating a cool, wintery effect. To recreate this style, bleach the lower portion of the hair before applying a frosty blue dye, and use a curling iron to add loose waves that highlight the color transition.
14. Midnight Blue Waves
This image features dark hair with midnight blue highlights, styled in voluminous waves. The blue highlights are interspersed throughout the hair, creating a deep, multidimensional effect. To achieve this look, blend midnight blue dye into the dark hair, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends, and use a curling iron to add volume and movement.
15. Tangerine Streaks
Dark hair with vibrant tangerine highlights, styled in a layered, tousled look. The orange streaks are concentrated around the face and throughout the top layers, creating a bold and fiery appearance. To achieve this style, section the hair and apply tangerine dye to select strands, and use a texturizing spray to enhance the tousled effect.
16. Fiery Orange Highlights
This hairstyle features dark hair with bold, fiery orange highlights. The highlights are strategically placed around the face and through the layers, adding a dynamic and edgy touch. To recreate this look, apply bright orange dye to select sections of hair, focusing on the top layers, and use a styling cream to define the layers and add movement.
17. Flame-Touched Layers
This image features dark, shoulder-length hair with vibrant orange highlights. The highlights are blended seamlessly into the dark base, creating a fiery and dynamic look. The hair is styled in loose waves, adding volume and movement. To achieve this look, section the hair and apply orange dye to select strands, then use a curling iron to create soft waves that enhance the color transition.
18. Voluminous Orange Highlights
Dark hair with bold, voluminous orange highlights. The highlights are concentrated on the top layers and around the face, adding a vivid and striking contrast. The hair is styled in layered waves, creating a full and dynamic appearance. For a similar look, use a combination of orange and red dyes to create a fiery effect, and style the hair with a large-barrel curling iron for voluminous waves.
19. Elegant Twisted Updo
This image showcases a sophisticated updo with dark hair styled in intricate twists and loops. The hair is pinned up with a few loose tendrils framing the face, adding softness and elegance. To achieve this look, twist and pin sections of hair into a loose bun, securing with bobby pins, and leave a few strands loose to frame the face for a romantic touch.
20. Messy Bun with Violet Highlights
Dark hair is styled in a messy bun with vibrant violet highlights peeking through. The highlights add a pop of color and create a playful contrast against the dark base. The loose strands around the face and the casual bun add a relaxed and trendy vibe. To recreate this style, apply violet dye to select sections of hair, then gather the hair into a loose, messy bun, allowing a few strands to fall freely.
21. Purple Passion Updo
The image showcases a stunning updo hairstyle with dark hair interwoven with vibrant purple highlights. The hair is loosely gathered into a bun, allowing streaks of purple to cascade and frame the head in a delicate, artistic manner. This hairstyle combines elegance with a modern twist, making it perfect for special occasions or a bold everyday look. To achieve this style, first add purple highlights to dark hair, then loosely twist and pin the hair into a bun, ensuring some strands are left free to enhance the casual yet sophisticated appearance.
22. Subtle Violet Updo
In this image, the hairstyle features a subtle yet stylish updo with dark hair highlighted by soft violet streaks. The hair is gently pulled back into a low bun, giving a relaxed and effortless look. The highlights are woven seamlessly, adding depth and dimension to the hairstyle. Perfect for both casual and formal settings, this look is achieved by coloring sections of the hair with violet hues and then loosely gathering the hair into a bun, allowing the highlighted strands to stand out.
23. Neon Green Elegance
This hairstyle features sleek, straight dark hair with striking neon green highlights. The green streaks are evenly distributed throughout the hair, creating a vibrant and eye-catching contrast against the dark base. The hair is smooth and glossy, falling naturally to accentuate the bold color choice. Achieving this look involves carefully sectioning the hair and applying neon green dye to selected strands, ensuring even coverage for a consistent, dramatic effect.
24. Emerald Streaks
The image displays a sleek and straight hairstyle with dark hair adorned with bright green highlights. The green streaks are prominently placed, creating a striking visual contrast. The hair is smooth and straight, emphasizing the vibrancy of the highlights. To get this look, select small sections of dark hair and dye them with a vivid green color, ensuring a smooth application for a bold, modern style.
25. Green Glam
In this image, the hairstyle showcases dark hair with vivid green highlights blended throughout. The hair is sleek and straight, allowing the green streaks to shine against the dark background. This hairstyle combines a classic straight look with a modern, colorful twist. To achieve it, apply green dye to selected strands of hair, then straighten the hair for a polished, glossy finish that highlights the contrast between the colors.
26. Radiant Green Layers
This hairstyle features dark hair with green highlights concentrated towards the ends. The layers of green create a gradient effect, starting subtly at the top and becoming more prominent towards the tips. The hair is smooth and slightly tousled, adding a touch of movement and texture. Achieving this look involves applying green dye to the lower sections of the hair, creating a layered, gradient effect that adds depth and interest to the hairstyle.
27. Golden Curls
The image displays a voluminous hairstyle with dark hair highlighted by warm golden streaks. The hair is styled in loose, cascading curls that add volume and bounce. The golden highlights blend seamlessly with the dark hair, creating a rich and luxurious look. To achieve this style, add golden highlights to sections of dark hair, then use a curling iron to create loose, flowing curls that enhance the color contrast and add texture.
28. Honey Blonde Waves
This hairstyle showcases long, dark hair with honey blonde highlights woven throughout. The hair is styled in soft, natural waves, giving it a relaxed yet polished appearance. The blonde highlights add brightness and dimension, enhancing the natural movement of the waves. To achieve this look, apply honey blonde dye to selected strands of dark hair, then use a curling wand to create loose waves, blending the colors for a harmonious, sun-kissed effect.
29. Golden Honey Waves
This image features a beautiful wavy hairstyle with dark hair enhanced by honey blonde highlights. The highlights are meticulously blended, creating a natural sun-kissed effect that adds depth and dimension to the wavy locks. The hair flows in loose, cascading waves, giving a soft, voluminous appearance. To achieve this look, apply honey blonde dye to selected strands, then use a curling wand to create loose waves, ensuring the highlights blend seamlessly with the dark hair.
30. Caramel Swirl Waves
In this image, dark hair is enriched with caramel highlights, styled into soft, voluminous waves. The highlights are strategically placed to accentuate the curls, adding a warm and radiant glow. The hairstyle exudes a natural, effortless elegance perfect for everyday wear or special occasions. To recreate this style, apply caramel highlights to sections of dark hair and use a curling iron to create soft waves, enhancing the movement and shine of the hair.
31. Mystical Blue and Purple Waves
This hairstyle showcases dark hair with vibrant blue and purple highlights, creating a mystical and enchanting look. The waves are loose and flow naturally, allowing the colorful highlights to shine through and add a touch of fantasy. This bold and creative style is perfect for those looking to make a statement. To achieve it, add blue and purple highlights to dark hair, then style with loose waves using a curling wand to enhance the color blend.
32. Fiery Rainbow Waves
The image displays a striking hairstyle with dark hair interspersed with vivid red, yellow, and green highlights. The highlights create a fiery, rainbow-like effect, adding a bold and dynamic contrast to the dark base. The hair is styled in soft, flowing waves, enhancing the vibrant colors. To get this look, apply red, yellow, and green highlights to sections of dark hair, then use a curling wand to create loose waves, allowing the colors to blend and flow seamlessly.
33. Sunset Hues
This hairstyle features dark hair with a mix of warm red and orange highlights, reminiscent of a sunset. The highlights are blended beautifully into the soft, wavy curls, adding a rich, glowing effect. The overall look is warm and vibrant, perfect for adding a pop of color to any style. Achieve this look by applying red and orange highlights to sections of dark hair and using a curling wand to create soft waves, allowing the colors to blend harmoniously.
34. Copper Waves
In this image, dark hair is highlighted with copper tones, styled into loose, voluminous waves. The copper highlights add warmth and depth, enhancing the natural movement of the waves. This hairstyle is elegant and sophisticated, ideal for both casual and formal occasions. To recreate this look, apply copper highlights to selected strands of dark hair, then use a curling iron to create soft waves that accentuate the color contrast.
35. Red Streaks
The image showcases a bold and dramatic hairstyle with dark hair highlighted by vivid red streaks. The red highlights are strategically placed to create a striking contrast against the dark base, adding a vibrant, edgy look. The hair is smooth and straight, emphasizing the intensity of the red highlights. To achieve this style, add red highlights to sections of dark hair, ensuring even application for a consistent, bold effect.
36. Crimson Waves
This hairstyle features dark hair with intense crimson highlights, styled into soft, flowing waves. The red highlights are woven throughout the hair, creating a vivid and dynamic look. The waves add volume and movement, enhancing the contrast between the dark and red tones. To get this look, apply crimson highlights to selected strands of dark hair, then use a curling wand to create loose waves, allowing the colors to blend and flow seamlessly.
37. Silver Streaked Bob
This image features a sleek bob haircut with dark hair highlighted by striking silver streaks. The silver highlights are strategically placed to frame the face and add a sophisticated touch to the hairstyle. The bob is smooth and glossy, with the highlights providing a sharp contrast against the dark base. To achieve this look, apply silver highlights to selected sections of dark hair, focusing on framing the face, and style with a straightener for a polished finish.
38. Bold Contrast Bob
The hairstyle in this image showcases a chic bob with dark hair and bold white highlights. The highlights are concentrated at the front, creating a striking contrast that draws attention to the face. The bob is voluminous and sleek, offering a modern and edgy look. Achieve this style by adding white highlights to the front sections of the hair and maintaining a straight, smooth bob cut to enhance the dramatic color difference.
39. Subtle Elegance Bob
This image depicts a sophisticated bob hairstyle with dark hair subtly highlighted by fine, light brown streaks. The highlights add depth and dimension to the sleek bob, enhancing its natural shine. This elegant look is perfect for a polished, professional appearance. To recreate it, apply fine light brown highlights to selected strands of dark hair and style the bob with a straightener for a smooth, refined finish.
40. Monochrome Chic Bob
This hairstyle features a striking black and white bob with alternating sections of dark and white hair. The bold contrast creates a visually stunning effect, with the hair styled into a smooth, rounded bob that enhances the graphic color pattern. Achieve this look by dyeing sections of the hair white while keeping the rest dark, then styling with a straightener to ensure a sleek, even finish.
41. Burgundy Curls
The image showcases dark hair with rich burgundy highlights, styled into tight, voluminous curls. The burgundy highlights add a pop of color and depth, blending beautifully with the dark base. The curls are full and bouncy, creating a lively and dynamic look. To achieve this style, apply burgundy highlights to selected strands of dark hair and use a curling iron to create tight curls, enhancing the color contrast and volume.
42. Deep Red Curls
In this image, dark hair is highlighted with deep red streaks, styled into defined, bouncy curls. The red highlights add vibrancy and dimension, creating a striking visual effect. The curls are voluminous and well-defined, giving the hairstyle a lively, energetic feel. To recreate this look, apply deep red highlights to sections of dark hair and use a curling iron to form tight curls, ensuring the highlights blend seamlessly with the natural hair.
43. Crimson Waves
This hairstyle features dark hair with intense crimson highlights, styled into soft, flowing waves. The red highlights are woven throughout the hair, creating a vivid and dynamic look. The waves add volume and movement, enhancing the contrast between the dark and red tones. To get this look, apply crimson highlights to selected strands of dark hair, then use a curling wand to create loose waves, allowing the colors to blend and flow seamlessly.
44. Violet Curls
The image displays dark hair with deep violet highlights, styled into loose, voluminous curls. The violet highlights add a touch of mystery and elegance, blending beautifully with the dark base. The curls are full and bouncy, creating a lively and dynamic look. To achieve this style, apply violet highlights to selected strands of dark hair and use a curling iron to create loose curls, enhancing the color contrast and volume.
45. Golden Sparkles on Black Hair
Close-up of black hair interwoven with delicate, shimmering golden sparkles, creating a magical, ethereal effect. The fine strands of hair capture the light, highlighting the subtle beauty and intricate details of the golden flecks. This enchanting style evokes a sense of wonder and elegance, perfect for a special occasion or a glamorous night out.
46. Voluminous Curls with Subtle Highlights
A side profile of a woman with voluminous, bouncy curls featuring rich, dark brown hair with subtle caramel highlights. The curls cascade beautifully, adding depth and dimension to the hairstyle. This look combines sophistication with a touch of playfulness, making it ideal for both everyday wear and special events.
47. Glossy Waves with Natural Highlights
A glossy, wavy hairstyle showcased in a salon setting, with dark brown hair enhanced by natural-looking caramel highlights. The waves are styled to perfection, adding movement and texture to the hair. This timeless and elegant look is perfect for those seeking a classic yet modern hairstyle.
48. Soft Curls with Warm Highlights
A woman with soft, flowing curls in her dark brown hair, accented with warm, golden highlights. The curls frame her face gently, creating a romantic and feminine appearance. This hairstyle is versatile, suitable for various occasions, from casual outings to formal events.
49. Vibrant Blue and Purple Highlights
Long, dark hair with vibrant blue and purple highlights, creating a striking contrast against the black base. The colors blend seamlessly, giving a magical, otherworldly feel. This bold and adventurous hairstyle is perfect for those looking to make a statement and express their individuality.
50. Electric Blue and Purple Streaks
Dark hair featuring electric blue and purple streaks, styled in loose waves. The vivid colors stand out beautifully, adding a dynamic and edgy touch to the hairstyle. This look is perfect for those wanting to embrace a more daring and modern style.
51. Blue and Purple Ombre Waves
Dark, wavy hair transitioning into a blue and purple ombre, creating a mesmerizing gradient effect. The soft waves enhance the flow of colors, making the hairstyle appear vibrant and full of life. This unique and eye-catching look is perfect for anyone seeking a fashionable and bold hairstyle.
52. Subtle Blue and Purple Highlights
Long, wavy hair with subtle blue and purple highlights, adding a pop of color to the dark base. The highlights are strategically placed to enhance the natural movement of the waves. This hairstyle offers a more understated yet still striking alternative for those who want to experiment with color while maintaining a classic look.
53. Golden Sparkles in Dark Hair
This close-up image captures dark hair strands intertwined with delicate golden sparkles. The rich, deep black tones of the hair contrast beautifully with the glimmering golden flecks, creating a magical and enchanting effect. This look is perfect for adding a touch of glamour and elegance, making it ideal for special occasions or a night out. To achieve this look, sprinkle fine, light-reflective glitter over styled hair, ensuring even distribution for a seamless blend.
54. Voluminous Curls with Caramel Highlights
This hairstyle features luxurious, voluminous curls with subtle caramel highlights enhancing the dark base. The side profile highlights the soft waves and intricate blending of warm caramel tones that add depth and dimension to the hair. Ideal for those seeking a sophisticated yet playful look, these curls can be achieved using a curling wand and highlighting techniques that focus on natural, sun-kissed hues.
55. Subtle Highlights on Wavy Layers
This hairstyle showcases smooth, wavy layers with finely integrated caramel highlights on a dark base. The highlights add a soft touch of brightness and dimension without overpowering the natural dark tones. Perfect for a subtle yet stylish update, this look is achieved through a gentle highlighting process and careful styling with a large-barrel curling iron to create loose, flowing waves.
56. Classic Waves with Light Highlights
This image displays a classic wavy hairstyle enhanced with light brown and caramel highlights, creating a beautiful contrast against the darker base. The side view emphasizes the soft, cascading waves that are carefully styled to frame the face, giving a timeless and elegant appearance. This look can be achieved by applying balayage highlights and using a curling wand to create soft, defined waves.
57. Vibrant Blue and Purple Highlights
This striking hairstyle features long, dark hair with vibrant blue and purple highlights cascading down in waves. The bold colors stand out dramatically against the dark base, creating a stunning, edgy look perfect for those who love to make a statement. To achieve this, sections of hair are bleached and dyed with vivid blue and purple hues, followed by styling with a curling iron to enhance the waves.
58. Electric Blue and Purple Streaks
This hairstyle showcases long, wavy hair with electric blue and purple streaks, creating a mesmerizing effect. The vibrant colors blend seamlessly with the dark base, adding a touch of mystique and individuality. Achieve this look by carefully bleaching and coloring selected sections of hair, and use a curling wand to add soft waves that highlight the striking colors.
59. Deep Waves with Blue and Purple Hues
This hairstyle features deep, luxurious waves with interwoven blue and purple highlights on a dark base. The vibrant hues add an eye-catching contrast and a sense of playfulness to the sophisticated waves. Perfect for a bold and creative look, this style can be achieved through professional coloring techniques and careful styling to maintain the rich wave pattern.
60. Bold Blue and Purple Accents
This image captures long, dark hair with bold blue and purple accents woven into the waves. The contrasting colors create a striking and dynamic effect, making the hairstyle stand out. Ideal for those seeking a unique and adventurous look, this style involves applying vivid dyes to selected strands and using a curling wand to shape the waves, highlighting the colorful accents.
Conclusion
Heavy highlights are a powerful way to enhance dark hair, providing not only contrast but also an illusion of volume and texture. With over 60 styles to choose from, you can customize your look to suit your personality and lifestyle. Remember, the key to maintaining such vivid highlights lies in proper hair care and regular touch-ups. Embrace these bold transformations as part of your new look for 2024 and enjoy the dynamic, dimensional results they bring to your overall appearance.