Black hair with highlights is a classic combo that helps brighten up your locks or add some drama with bold hues. Adding lighter strands to dark tresses can enliven your natural texture, bringing dimension and depth to the original hair tone. It also leaves space for future color experiments, allowing you to play with warm or cool hues to match your skin tone. Explore the latest trends in our comprehensive guide to achieve a perfect mix of colors.
1. Black and Beige
If you’re not ready to trade your raven black tresses for a lighter hair color, try adding some cool blonde highlights to create a more dimensional look. This shade compliments various skin tones, creating the most winning look for dark hair.
via @colorbymarina
2. Chocolate Melt
Mixing different shades of brown – from dark chocolate to milk chocolate is a must-try color combo on a jet-black mane. It creates a beautiful melt of color that instantly refreshes your look.
via @thenewenglandstylist
3. Silvery Ombre
Long hairstyle ideas get a twist with silvery highlights. Dark roots fade into light silver ends, introducing richness and intricacy to natural hair color.
via @lanhhair
4. White Highlights and Black Lowlights
Achieving the perfect silver highlights requires several bleaching stages, as black hair is typically challenging to lift. The highlights are strategically placed throughout the hair, adding a touch of shimmer and shine. The result is an elegant style, highlighting the beauty of your locks.
via @salon_impressions_cz
5. Fiery Red Chunky Highlights
Bold, chunky strands help add a pop of color to naturally dark tresses. Some hairdressers may recommend bleaching the hair first to achieve the best shade of red, while others may suggest darker shades of red highlights using just developer for a more natural look. Choose what technique works best for your hair and dive in!
via @dakotajameshair
6. Burgundy Red Highlights
Keep it classy with thin highlights that remind of a cozy campfire in the woods. The dark red shade highlights black tresses naturally, introducing a subtle transition between the colors.
via @hairby.ambermarie
7. Hazelnut Espresso Balayage
For a chic and sophisticated look, try adding brown hues to your hair. They look particularly good on medium and long hair, allowing for multiple styling options to enhance the chosen color combo. A perfect solution to update your black locks without dramatic change.
via @dvcolour
8. Milk Chocolate Highlights in Dark Hair
Brown balayage and chocolate brown highlights create a striking contrast and enhance the beauty of black hair. The front pieces take a lighter shade of brown to frame the face beautifully, while the tips are dipped in a darker hue for a seamless transition.
via @live_love_dohair
9. Blue Stone Ombre
Try something new with this beautiful shade of blue! The blue highlights can be applied in various techniques, such as dip-dye or balayage, to create a unique look.
via @kevinhairsalon
10. Black Hair with Blue Ombre Highlights
For darker hair, pre-lightening is usually necessary to achieve the desired tint. This style is best suited for those who want to experiment with vivid and daring colors. Ensure your curly locks’ long-lasting beauty with blue highlights and a proper hair care routine.
via @adlydesign
11. Caramel Glaze
Enhance your natural hair tone with caramel highlights to add warmth and dimension. The contrast of the dark base with the soft brownish hue creates a striking look.
via @sarabotsfordhair
12. Chestnut Face-Framing Highlights
Go for chestnut strands to flatter your warm skin tone or brown eyes. Hair stylists may recommend lighter shades of caramel for a subtle look or deeper shades for a more dramatic effect.
via @parkerjamesmane
13. Subtle Brunette Balayage
Refresh your short haircut with beautifully highlighted tendrils for more shine and radiance. Start with dark brown hues first before switching to lighter shades to see what color palette looks more flattering on you.
via @shmoakin_hair
14. Ash and Brown Highlights
Adding lighter tones to the hair can achieve a more dynamic and textured look, making your hair appear fuller and voluminous. This color combo looks great with root shadowing, making the transition more natural and versatile.
via @colour.jade
15. Purple E-Girl Streaks
These vivid money pieces are accentuated with matching strands at the sides for a more symmetrical look. Bold and elegant, this ‘do is your stylish and eye-catching hair inspo for a unique and striking transformation.
via @nat_doeshair
16. Smoky Black Hair with Subtle Purple Highlights
When applying purple highlights on dark locks, it’s essential to consider the hair structure to ensure that the new shade blends in seamlessly and creates a natural-looking result. In case you don’t want your strands look too bright, ask your stylist to dye your locks without bleaching and enjoy a more muted color.
via @hunaayhair
17. Face-Framing Bronde Babylights
These lighter strands can bring life even to the darkest hair. When you highlight black tresses, selecting the right shade is highly significant as it can affect your overall appearance. Sticking to cool-toned color accents might help you get a a balanced look.
via @dvcolour
18. Gray Ombre Highlights
Dark brown highlights with silvery tips are a great way to bring out natural shine and luster. It creates a sophisticated and modern hairstyle that is sure to turn heads. This look works particularly well on fair skin tone.
via @glenhew
19. Scarlet Balayage in Black Hair
This hair color combination will definitely add a bold twist to your everyday glam. A darker base provides an excellent canvas for the pop of color along the ends. Goth hair aesthetics unlocked!
via @dakotajameshair
20. Bordeaux Balayage
The highlights should be strategically placed to complement the hair texture and create a beautiful contrast. But if you want to stick to your natural hair tone, start dyeing your locks from mid-length. Black hair fading into deep red hue will always keep you party-ready!
via @hair.by.jessv
21. Dimensional Blonde Balayage
You probably know that switching from black to blonde may severely damage your hair. But adding blonde highlights is a good way to try on a lighter hair color. Opt for thinner strands to create a subtle blend of hues and embrace your new style.
via @aaashleee
22. Sandy Blonde Highlights
Beachy waves is the most popular hairstyle for the summer season. And you surely know that they look amazing on light strands. So, how about adding warm highlights to your dark mane and rock that trendy look?
via @seolahair
23. Dark Cherry Cola Balayage
Dark hair with burgundy highlights is a tempting combination if you want a leave-in color transition. The deep red tone complements the your hair’s natural color and adds dimension to the overall look.
via @ricardoalonsobeauty
24. Dark Red Brown Babylights
There’s always a way to make your natural locks pop with color without going too bright. Dark red highlights are among the best long hair ideas, as they can add depth and richness to the hair. For a stunning effect, you can always add soft waves or a voluminous blowout.
via @texasbalayage
25. Emerald Grean Ombre
The key to successfully pulling off this color combination is choosing the right green shade that goes well with your skin tone and hair structure. By staying on the darker side of the color palette, you can find truly vibrant hues to match your individuality and style.
via @aaashleee
26. Forest Green Balayage on Gray Hair
A subtle approach is best for short or long black hair. Choose thin and finely woven highlights to create depth and dimension. With a juicy shade like this, you’ll get the most out of your color transformation.
via @makeupbyfrances
27. Rainbow and Blue Peekaboo Highlights
Unleash your bold side with trendy peekaboo highlights. They add personal touch and uniqueness to your look. It’s a stylish and trendy option if you like experimenting with vibrant colors.
via @glenhew
28. Black Hair with Light Blue Underlayer Color
These contrasting strands make your hair look as if it’s glowing from within. It creates a striking contrast that is both subtle and eye-catching. The highlights are strategically placed within the hair’s structure, creating a natural-looking flow that highlights the hair’s texture.
via @hair_nic
29. Honey Blonde Tips
Very dark hair with blonde accents is a trendy hair color choice. It adds warmth and shine to the hair without washing you out. Placed underneath your natural hair, these strands create a real fashion statement.
via @pipsyhair_
30. Whipped Honey Balayage
Hairdressers recommend using a balayage technique for highlighting dark hair with warm shades of blonde, creating a more natural and seamless transition. By placing lighter strands around the face, the dark base looks more eye-catching.
via @live_love_dohair
31. Bright Yellow Balayage
Yellow hair strands can spice up your hairstyle, especially when combined with black hair’s dense structure. This look works well with long hair, as the highlights can be more easily noticed.
via @hairbyhanvancity
32. Half Yellow Half Orange Hair with Black Roots
Highlight your dark tresses with all colors of the sunset. This yellowish-orange combo is a real showstopper, so if you need to brighten up your hair glam a bit, don’t hesitate to try it on you locks.
via @tangles_to_curls
From subtle, sun-kissed highlights to bold streaks of color, there are plenty of highlight ideas to choose from. Get ready for a change by choosing a bright accent to your mane and let your hair shine like never before!