It feels like the 90s are back with the return of chunky highlights. We never thought we’d see this trend again, but here it is. Of course, you can be skeptical or not even like them, but the chances are you will change your mind after going over the below hairstyles.
Read on to learn how to do the chunky highlights and why they are different from the thin version, and to check out the most vibrant looks.
What Are Chunky Highlights?
Chunky highlights are large sections of hair a few shades lighter than your natural color. They create a stark contrast with the rest of your hair, rather than blended highlights, which have a more subtle look.
Chunky Highlights
1. Red, Dark Brown & Black
Black hair with blonde or caramel highlights does give you the space to experiment a lot, and this hairstyle is here to prove exactly that.
Ideal For: It will look much more alluring on long hairdos. There is a larger canvas for the artistry of these chunky highlights.
How to Style: Do a super-straight and sleek mane so that everyone will be able to see your new look.
2. Electric Blue
Another proof that black is a versatile hair color. Add even more depth to it with the stunning dark blue hair color.
Ideal For: Everyone who wants to refresh a boring and plain black hairdo can do it with hints of blue.
How to Style: Search for a hairstyle that will put the hair dye into the spotlight. That is possible with an updo as well.
3. Black & Vibrant
Are you prepared for the biggest change in your life? The chunky highlights can also come in several different hues.
Ideal For: So good for all hair lengths, but most appropriate for the younger gals. It doesn’t mean that adults should not get it, but they usually have to have a work-appropriate mane.
How to Style: Let the hair down and keep it straight. Just make sure to protect the vibrant pink, blue and purple hair tones with special shampoos. If the straight look gets too plain some nice curls will let the colors stand out even more.
4. Front Chunky Highlights
The great thing about this method is choosing where to get the new additions. It can be all over the hair or just in the front.
Ideal For: It’s not easy to settle for a significant hair change, but a small one like this will have you convinced right away.
How to Style: Opt for curls, especially if you have a pixie bob haircut.
5. Indigo Blue Is Gorgeous
The most feminine hair color, aside from pink, is indigo blue. These chunky blue highlights on brown hair work so perfectly.
Ideal For: Perfect for natural light brown hair colors.
How to Style: To get the best out of the mane, get the curling iron and do some soft waves.
6. Match Black with Intense Purple
Sometimes an intense tone of purple is the solution to all of your problems.
Ideal For: The longer your hair is, the more magical it will look.
How to Style: This is a luxurious version of chunky hair highlights, so why not do glamorous curls.
7. Deep Purple, Black and Blond
Mixing three completely contrasting black, blonde and purple hair shades can result in a unique but beautiful hairdo.
Ideal For: If your mane is already platinum or a very bright blonde, you can try the intense deep purple and black as second and third tones.
How to Style: A large voluminous braid will be so flattering.
8. Brown & Blonde
Keep it simple with the recognizable shades that are meant for everyone.
Ideal For: If dark brown with a red hue is too much for you, go shades lighter. Finish off with chunky blonde highlights.
How to Style: Short haircuts with blonde highlights look very cute.
9. Midnight Blue Hair
Black and silver blue hair is not only meant for adults. All shades of this color are back on-trend.
Ideal For: If you have some dark hairs, make the best out of them.
How to Style: By adding chunky highlights, you will freshen up the silver hairdo. Straight manes are flattering for this mix.
10. Rainbow Strands
Did you know that you can get a single strand colored with several hues?
Ideal For: Longer haircuts will be much better for this hairdo.
How to Style: Ask the hairstylist if they can do the rainbow strands in the colors you choose. Adding a braid will compliment the bohemian mane.
11. Elevated Red
The two colors used for the base and the highlights can be only a shade or two different.
Ideal For: All women with copper red hair can elevate it with some blonde chunky highlights.
How to Style: Go for a blunt and short crop, and include side-swept fringe.
12. Lighter Copper and Blond
You can’t go wrong with a copper and blonde mix.
Ideal For: Don’t be scared to try this unconventional look, it will have all eyes on you, and you’ll get so many compliments. It’s appropriate for all ages.
How to Style: Whether it’s up or down, it doesn’t matter as long as you like it.
13. Red, Hot
Red has never looked better!
Ideal For: If you don’t want to risk for the hair to look like it’s too much, do the technique on a shorter cut.
How to Style: Straight styles are bolder, while curls and updos are more subtle in this case.
14. Mermaid Hair
Most of the dyes you can do on black hair, you can also do on a brown shade.
Ideal For: Perfect for women with light brown hair.
How to Style: Do the waves, and you’ll be surprised at how many people will love your new chunky highlighted look.
15. A Fun Mix
The combo of three different colors is so alluring. There are hints of red, blonde and black.
Ideal For: If you’ve done chunky highlights before and you loved them, this is your next step.
How to Style: Straight and smooth is what you should be doing for a dramatic look, while adding curls will make the different hues pop and draw all eyes on you.
16. The Classic
This is one of the first brown hair with chunky blonde highlights combinations from the 90s. It is such a classic that it will never get old.
Ideal For: The dark brown and light blonde create a dramatic contrast. If you can get used to it, this should be your mane of choice.
How to Style: Opt for those curls as the most recognizable way to flaunt the classic curly brown hair and blonde highlights.
17. Neon Yellow
Have you seen a more mesmerizing hairstyle lately?
Ideal For: Great for young girls who adore neon colors.
How to Style: Add only a few of these neon highlights. Keep them fresh with special hair products.
18. Go For Turquoise
Choose at least one shade of turquoise to upgrade your dark brown hair.
Ideal For: Teenage girls will want to copy the look immediately. Turquoise is eye-catching, youthful and popular.
How to Style: It all depends on where the highlights are. Sometimes it will be better to have the hair down, but a high pony will showcase them much better in some cases.
19. Blonde & Burgundy
The richest tone of burgundy and the bright blonde is so fierce when together.
Ideal For: This is the best combo for a short A-line bob.
How to Style: Straight looks are often the mane of choice for the blonde and burgundy style.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chunky highlights are often applied in eccentric colors to create a bold, punky look. In the early 2000s, Christina Aguilera and Kelly Clarkson were known for having bold, chunky highlights. Below are some frequently asked questions about chunky highlights.
The cost of chunky highlights depends on how long your hair is and how many highlights you want. For short hair, highlights cost around $60 on average. For longer hair, chunky highlights can cost anywhere from $90 to $150.
Blended highlights are more subtle than chunky highlights. Chunky highlights often look bold and rebellious, while blended highlights look soft and natural. Blended highlights are usually painted by hand, while chunky highlights are applied with foil.
Yes, chunky highlights can help thin hair look thicker, but be careful. Too much bleach can cause hair loss and can end up making hair thinner.
If you have very thin or damaged hair, it’s best to leave it alone for a while before applying highlights. Wait until your hair recovers some of its natural volume before treating it with harsh chemicals.
Front streaks are highlights that are in the front section of your hair. Chunky highlights will be added throughout all of your hair.
No. Chunky highlights are back in. Chunky highlights were very popular in the early 2000s, so you might think that this look has gone out of style. However, fashion is a cycle, and old styles often come back (think mom jeans and denim jackets.)
In 2024, chunky highlights made a comeback. Celebrities wearing chunky highlights in 2024 include Kylie Jenner, Hallie Berry, and Jamie Chung.
After going through the article, you are now probably obsessed with chunky highlights. You only live once, so make sure that you try all the trendy hairstyles that come your way. Since the choices are so many, you can start with some basic colors if this is your first time getting this type of highlight. You’ll eventually end up going experimental and loving it.