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15 Ways to Make Black Hair Pop with White Underneath

Thanks to the Cruella hair and skunk hairstyles, we’ve been reminded of one simple fact: a splash of white color can make black hair pop. But if you find those hairstyles to be a bit too loud, you can go for the more subdued and elegant black hair with white underneath.

Also called peekaboo hair, this technique involves dyeing the underlayer of the hair in a different shade. With the white hair’s strategic placement, you can easily conceal it when needed and show it off when you want to.

Before you go for this technique, here are some things you need to know first:

  • It may take a few bleaching sessions before you can achieve the white hue that you want.
  • Platinum and white hair dries easily, so you need to use moisturizing hair products to keep it healthy.
  • Heat styling tools can damage bleached hair, so avoid using them as much as you can. When you do use them, opt for the lowest possible heat setting.

If you’re ready to take on the work needed to maintain this unique hair color, let’s now explore the different styling ideas that you can choose from.

Striking Black Hair With White Underneath Ideas

If you want to try the subtle black-and-white hair combination finally, here are some black hair with white underneath ideas that you may want to check out.

1. Shoulder-Length Hair with Side Peekaboo Icy White Highlights

black hair with bangs and white underneath
ajameshair/Instagram

For a more attention-grabbing take on the classic peekaboo highlights, you may want to place them at the sides of your face instead of at the back. In this way, the frosted highlights will peek through every time you tuck hair under your ears.

2. One-Sided Peekaboo White Highlights

medium length black hair with white underneath
aleythehairwitch/Instagram

Make your straight lob look extra chic and edgy with a one-sided peekaboo highlight. Follow your hair parting when deciding which side you should put the highlights on so they can get the maximum exposure.

3. Black High Bun with White Blonde Underneath

black updo with white underneath
elizahis/Instagram

One of the best ways to show off your black hair with white underneath is to pull it into a loose high bun. This simple hairstyle already gives off a carefree vibe, but it looks extra hip and fun with the addition of the white blonde under-dye.

4. Long Black Wavy Hair with Platinum Highlights Underneath

long black hair with white underneath
beautyfairydee/Instagram

The best part about peekaboo highlights is they can easily turn any simple hairstyle into a head-turner. Just take a look at how the platinum under-dye effortlessly elevated this straightforward black wavy hair.

The touch of white totally brightened up this dark and mysterious hairstyle.

5. Black Half Bun and Silver White Highlights

half up half down black hair with white underneath
popenaznikovapatricia/Instagram

While white under-highlights can certainly light up a simple hairstyle, you can even take it to the next level by adding a metallic tinge to it.

Don’t be afraid to show off this gorgeous silver shade and the best way to do that is to pull your hair into this loose half-bun.

6. Rosette Half Ponytails + Chunky Beige Blonde Highlights Underneath

half up black hair with white underneath
misheledimariadesigns/Instagram

When it comes to showcasing your beige-blonde underlayer, pull out all the stops and these rosette half-ponytails are the way to go. With all its layers and intricacies, the rosettes will certainly turn your chunky highlights into a work of art.

7. Messy Half-Do with Blonde Peekaboo Highlights at the Sides

Asian black hair with white underneath
stylesonpointe/Instagram

Having peekaboo highlights isn’t all about adding a pop of color to your dark hair. If you go for a lighter blonde shade, you can even use this unique coloring technique in bringing out the warmer tones in your complexion.

8. Curled Long Bob + White Underlights

choppy black hair with white underneath
salonfarcom_beograd/Instagram

If you can’t decide whether to go for a curly or straight lob or black and white hair, this black hair with white underneath is the perfect hairstyle for you.

The curly black top adds movement and volume to your hair and provides you with face-framing strands. On the other hand, the straight hair underneath is the perfect canvas for the white under lights.

9. Silver Blonde Under Jet-Black Wavy Medium Hair

wavy black hair with white underneath
esquirehairhull/Instagram

For an edgy hairstyle with a touch of mystery, go for this hairstyle. At first look, it seems like your usual simple jet-black wavy hair. But at the sides, it has a few strands of silver blonde peeking, giving the hairstyle that added oomph.

10. Black Choppy Lob with Peeking White Blonde Highlights

short black hair with white underneath
mel.el.color/Instagram

If you want to keep your hair short, sweet, and simple, this might be what you’re looking for. Instead of the silver blonde shade, go for white blonde instead.

Since it has more warmth, it’s perfect for giving pale or fair skin a natural sunkissed glow.

11. Long Black Hair With Icy White Underlight

straight black hair with white underneath
stylesbysuzy.q/Instagram

For the subtlest take on this trend, this is the hair inspiration for you. Instead of putting the under lights on the sides or on your entire back, you can just place it on one side at the back portion of your hair.

It might not be as noticeable as the other styles, but people get a glimpse of your icy-white hair in the most surprising way possible.

12. Black Layers and Curtain Bangs + White Under-highlights

layered black hair with white underneath
_missmitzy/Instagram

Take the volume-boosting powers of face-framing layers to a whole new level by adding white under-highlights to them.

These hidden highlights prevent your hair from looking flat by adding dimension to it, which ultimately gives it the illusion of thickness and volume.

13. Braided Half Hairstyle with Platinum Blonde Under-dye

half up black braided hairstyle with white underneath
hairdressersjournal/Instagram

If you want the world to see your beautiful white hair, this is the way to do it. The braided half-ponytail removes all the black hair from your back, letting your white hair take center-stage.

14. Wispy Straight Hair + Ashy Blonde Peekaboo Highlights

jet black hair with white underneath
ten.salon/Instagram

Black hair color can give thin and wispy hair the illusion of volume. Incorporating a few ashy blonde strands into the mix is a welcome addition since blonde highlights can brighten up your complexion, make your hair look thicker, and frame your face beautifully.

15. Two-toned Bubble Ponytail

black ponytail with white underneath
elizahis/Instagram

The addition of white underlights can elevate a simple bubble ponytail and give it a high-fashion look, and this two-toned ponytail is the perfect example. It gives off that skunk hair vibe but with much more finesse and elegance.

If you wish to turn your plain black hair from drab to fab, these ideas for black hair with white underneath are your best bet. The addition of white peekaboo highlights will brighten up your locks and give it a head-turning update.

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