It’s almost spring, which means it’s time to start thinking about highlights for long hair. It will be hard to make up your mind once you see the 12 fashionable styles we listed.
Types of Highlights
Highlights have become such a popular way to decorate your hair that there are now more than 10 beautiful options. We’ll help you get familiar with the most popular ones through this short guide.
If you’ve been looking for the best highlighting ideas for long hair, you will probably find at least one style you like in the options below.
- Babylights – Babylights are the best option for anyone who likes very subtle highlights. The brighter strands are barely noticeable, but they give the mane a very fresh look.
- Chunky highlights – The name says it all. This coloring technique features larger sections of hair and is clearly visible.
- Balayage – Balayage is known as a hand-painted method in which hairstylists use freehand movement to create highlights. It provides a very natural finish, but always go to a very experienced hairdresser.
- Foil highlights – This is one of the oldest highlighting techniques and uses foils to achieve a brighter look. The highlighted strands are wrapped with aluminum foil, which produces heat and speeds up the process.
- Ribbon – The ribbon technique works best on curly or wavy hair because it gives the mane stunning warmth and depth.
- Ombre – Ombre is a technique everyone recognizes right away because it has been trending for years. It includes highlights that are mostly located on the lower parts of the hair, while the roots stay darker.
- Sombre – It comes from the words ‘soft’ and ‘ombre’. It is a much subtler version of the ombre trend, with highlights that are less dramatic against dark roots.
- Frosted – The frosted method is mostly used on shorter hairstyles for women who want to achieve a cool blonde, frosted finish.
How to Do Highlights on Long Hair
There are two ways to do highlights on long hair. The first is obviously visiting a professional. It is also the best and safest option, since some techniques are very specific and require special training. The second option is to do it yourself at home. We will give you an idea of what this process looks like, step by step.
Before you start, you will need to decide which hair shade you want and the type of highlights you’ll get. You can first color your natural hair as the base, then opt for highlights that are one to two tones brighter. Another option is to stick to your natural hair color and only work with highlights.
Protect the clothes you’re wearing and the area around you, because the technique uses chemicals. Put gloves on and you’re ready to go. A hairstylist would do the same. Highlighting kits come with all the necessary tools and instructions. You can test the look on a strand or two first. If you like it, continue by separating the hair into several sections on both sides.
Grab pieces of foil that are longer than the hair strands. Release one section, and with a comb, take a horizontal strand of hair. Place a piece of foil under it and start coloring it with the hair dye. Wrap the section in the foil and fold the ends upward toward the roots.
Continue doing this throughout the hair. It’s your choice whether you want chunkier or finer highlights on long hair. Leave the dye on according to the instructions, then wash the hair.
Watch The Following Video on How to Do Blonde Highlights on Long Brunette Hair
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqxV6qJGdqM
Lovely Long Hairstyles with Highlights
Have a look below at some fashionable highlight ideas for long hair that look fabulous.
1. Sunlit Blonde Babylights
Subtle, soft, barely there, but so gorgeous. That is the definition of babylights, and you’ll want to try them right away.
Ideal For: Great for long hair that already features a bright base tone, to avoid too much damage.
How To Style: Add some messy waves and your mane will be at its best.
2. Molten Copper Highlights
Bolder is better, and this long hairstyle proves it.
Ideal For: All gals who prefer standout looks are the ones to opt for such a colorful hairdo.
How To Style: Style the hairdo with chic, flatiron waves.
3. Blushed Pink Highlights
Is there a woman out there who doesn’t like pink?
Ideal For: Ideal for women with long blonde hair, the two colors are such a feminine match.
How To Style: To achieve the most impactful pink highlights on long hair, you will want to create soft curls.
4. Caramel Ribbons on Brown Hair
Caramel hues are really trending in the hair department this season.
Ideal For: All shades of brown hair can be upgraded with caramel hints.
How To Style: Get your curling iron and start making large, bouncy curls.
5. Burgundy Red Highlights
Deep, rich red can be so flattering on dark brown hair.
Ideal For: This type of highlights for long hair will help you achieve a fresh and interesting look.
How To Style: Blow dry your hair for extra volume. That’s pretty much all you need.
6. Statement Chunky Highlights
Many women think chunky highlights are a thing of the past, but this example will change their minds.
Ideal For: Perfect for everyone who likes dramatic looks.
How To Style: Wear your long hair super straight or with luscious curls to properly show off the chunky highlights.
7. Chestnut Copper Highlights
Go for several different brown and copper tones in the highlights and you’ll be in love.
Ideal For: So alluring on long hair, because this highlight style gives you the space to play with a range of warm tones.
How To Style: Do the brighter hues around the face and the darker ones near the roots.
8. Smoky Ash Blonde Highlights
Cool ash tones look especially striking on long hair and give it a modern finish.
Ideal For: A stunning option for darker roots and anyone who loves cool-toned color.
How To Style: The favorite way of hairdressers to style these ash blonde highlights on long hair is with loose waves.
9. Deep Emerald Highlights
Green might not sound like the first color you’ll choose for highlights, but it sure is stunning.
Ideal For: It’s perfect for darker hair tones, especially black.
How To Style: Whether you love updos, braids, or a straight mane, these green finishes will always find a way to shine through.
10. Soft Blonde Balayage
Balayage is soft, easy to maintain, and doesn’t require regular touchups. It is one of the trendiest highlight ideas for long-haired women.
Ideal For: If you are interested in a natural finish, balayage is what you need.
How To Style: You can go for almost any hairstyle once you get these pretty balayage highlights.
11. Rose Gold Full Highlights
Rose gold hair is a true obsession!
Ideal For: Girly girls are welcome to make their mane even cuter with this hue.
How To Style: Both straight and curly highlighted long hairstyles will do so much justice to this fabulous shade.
12. Luminous Lilac Highlights
Another absolutely gorgeous way to wear long hair with highlights, thanks to the vibrant nature of the dye.
Ideal For: If you want to try a unique highlighting version with colorful hints, you should opt for lavender purple hair.
How To Style: After dyeing it, you will need to focus more on keeping the color fresh for longer. Avoid styling it with heat tools.
Long hair highlights come in so many stunning forms that there is an option for every woman out there. These 12 pretty looks will help you figure out which one is best for your hair color and how far you are willing to go to achieve perfectly highlighted long hair.