Long Hairstyles with Highlights: 100+ Gorgeous Looks to Try

Highlights for Long Hair: A Timeless Beauty

Highlights are a versatile hair coloring technique that can transform long hairstyles, adding depth, dimension, and a touch of glamour. With countless variations to choose from, there’s a highlight style to complement every skin tone and hair texture.

The Science Behind Highlights

Highlights work by lightening select strands of hair, creating a contrast against the base color. This can enhance the hair’s natural texture and make it appear fuller and more voluminous. The color of the highlights can vary from subtle shades of blonde to bold reds, pinks, or even blues.

According to a study published by the American Academy of Dermatology, over 50% of women in the United States have colored their hair at least once. Highlights are one of the most popular techniques, with over 20 million American women opting for them annually.

Benefits of Highlights for Long Hair

Enhance Texture and Volume:

Highlights create the illusion of depth and volume by adding contrasting colors to the hair. This can be especially beneficial for those with fine or limp hair, as it makes the strands appear thicker and more full-bodied.

Frame the Face:

Strategic placement of highlights around the face can help to frame and accentuate your features. Soft, subtle highlights can brighten the complexion and draw attention to your eyes or cheekbones.

Reduce the Appearance of Gray Hair:

Highlights are an effective way to camouflage gray hair, especially if they are blended into the base color. By adding lighter shades to the hair, highlights can minimize the contrast between gray strands and their surroundings, making them less noticeable.

Add a Touch of Glamour:

Highlights can instantly elevate any long hairstyle, adding a touch of sophistication and glamour. Subtle highlights can enhance your natural beauty, while bolder shades can create a more dramatic and eye-catching look.

How to Choose the Right Highlight Color

The key to choosing the right highlight color is to consider your skin tone, hair texture, and personal style.

Skin Tone:

• Warm skin tones: Opt for warm highlight colors such as golden blonde, copper, or strawberry blonde.
• Cool skin tones: Choose cool highlight colors such as ash blonde, silver, or icy platinum.
• Neutral skin tones: Can wear both warm and cool highlight colors, depending on their personal preference.

Hair Texture:

• Fine hair: Avoid heavy highlights that can weigh down the hair. Instead, opt for subtle, delicate highlights that enhance volume.
• Medium hair: Can handle bolder highlight colors and patterns, such as chunky highlights or balayage.
• Thick hair: Can tolerate both subtle and bold highlights, but may require more frequent touch-ups to maintain color vibrancy.

Personal Style:

• Natural: Choose highlight colors that blend seamlessly with your base color for a subtle and sophisticated look.
• Glamorous: Opt for bolder highlight colors and patterns, such as chunky highlights or ombré, for a more dramatic effect.
• Edgy: Experiment with unconventional highlight colors, such as blue, pink, or purple, to create a unique and eye-catching look.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Getting Highlights

• Over-highlighting: Excessive highlighting can damage the hair and make it dry and brittle.
• Choosing the wrong color: Highlights that clash with your skin tone or hair texture can look unnatural and unflattering.
• DIY highlights: Attempting to highlight your hair at home without professional guidance can result in uneven or brassy results.
• Neglecting hair care: Highlighted hair requires extra care, including regular conditioning and UV protection, to maintain its health and vibrancy.
• Touch-ups: Highlights fade over time and require regular touch-ups to maintain their desired look.

Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Highlights

1. Consultation: Discuss your desired highlight style and color with a professional hairstylist.
2. Color selection: Choose a highlight color that complements your skin tone, hair texture, and personal style.
3. Foiling or weaving: Hair strands are separated and placed in foil or woven through a cap.
4. Bleaching: Bleach is applied to the selected strands to lighten them.
5. Toning: A toner is applied to the highlighted strands to neutralize any yellow or brassy tones and achieve the desired color.
6. Rinse and style: The hair is rinsed, conditioned, and styled to complete the look.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How long does it take to get highlights? The time required for highlighting varies depending on the length and thickness of your hair, as well as the complexity of the desired style. It can take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours.
• How much do highlights cost? The cost of highlights can vary based on the salon, the length and thickness of your hair, and the type of highlight style you choose. Generally, highlights can cost between $100 and $300.
• How often should I get touch-ups? Highlights typically fade over time, so touch-ups are recommended every 6 to 8 weeks to maintain the desired look.
• Can highlights damage my hair? Highlights can damage the hair if they are done too frequently or without proper care. It is important to use a gentle bleach and follow up with regular conditioning treatments to minimize damage.

Tables

Table 1: Highlight Color Guide for Skin Tones

Table 2: Highlight Styles for Hair Textures

Table 3: Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Table 4: Frequently Asked Questions