The Season’s Hottest Highlight Trends

Highlights are always a highly requested service in the salon during summer and while they usually fade into single process services during fall and winter, this season we’re seeing an uptick in unique highlight services in the salon all season long. Inspired by the latest trends seen on the runways, clients are looking forward to hair color trends that embrace individuality and that includes these highlight trends!

Lived-In Lights

Lived-In highlights have been around for a while and this season, we’re seeing them take shape in all shades. They are ideal for clients looking for a low-maintenance color option or who simply want a touch of color. Easily achieved by utilizing balayage, expert foiling techniques with a combination of teasy-lights or foilyage can also help create the look. Aim to only lift a few shades lighter than your client’s base color and concentrate around the face-frame for a truly sun-kissed finish.

The Face Frame

In addition to lived-in lights, face-framing highlights have gained popularity for their ease in application. They are the quickest, most effective way to add instant brightness to any look. They are a great way to add interest to your client’s normal routine without committing to an all-over lift. To get the look, take small sections on either side of the face and lift slightly higher than the rest of the hair. To keep things more natural, only lift face-framing pieces a level or two higher and remember, the darker the rest of the hair, the more dramatic the look. 

Shadow Roots

When clients hear “shadow root” they might be envisioning the deep rooted looks made popular by the ombre trend. However, this season, this look is taking on a more modern finish. They are the ultimate answer to extending the life of color between highlighting appointments. Clients typically don’t love the look of highlights that start right at the base, they can feel unnatural and often slightly warmer than the rest of their look.

Instead of teasing or dropping your application, simply highlight from the root to tip and then add a shadow root along the hairline after the hair is lifted. Choose a semi-permanent gloss that is slightly darker than the rest of the hair and apply in a blending motion from the scalp to about 1-1.5 inches down the strand. This way, as hair naturally grows out, they are left with a blended base that is more natural and as the gloss fades, hair will naturally blend into the rest of their highlights. The best part? This low-maintenance look can easily be retouched with gloss appointments!

Offering the latest in education and inspiration, check back for the latest blogs to stay in the LOOP with ABS!