Andy JonesWe have all seen blondes with sassy highlights, from blonde to pink to ginger even, but what about the brunettes or dark beauties, can we wear our black hair with highlights too, or is that a stylist’s biggest no-no? Oh, definitely yes! From your favorite color on the tips of your long locks to light highlights spread throughout your beautiful dark hair, highlights on dark brown hair are actually trendier than you would think. Whether you want to be bold and stand out from the rest or soft and subtle, there are so many different ways to wear highlights on dark hair.
50 Best Highlight Idas For Black Hair
From edgy to cute, from sweet to sassy there are so many different ways to wear highlights in your dark hair, and we’re totally here for it. No matter the season, there is always a reason to wear your favorite color in your hair. Whether it’s a few wisps of turquoise to highlight your face or a full ombre of pink or peach, this is one of the best highlights for black hair.
The cool thing about highlights is that you can easily maintain your hair, without the worry of damaging it like you would if you went full-blonde over dark hair. While they say blondes have more fun, brunettes and dark-haired beauties have to ask themselves, do they really? We beg to differ—when you get the best highlights for black hair done by a professional, you’ll be well on your way to having the time of your life.
1. Barely There Highlights For Dark Hair
Some changes can be a bit scary. We get it. If you’re not yet ready to change your hair color completely, these soft, caramel highlights framing the face and ends of this long hairstyle are just enough to change your look without you going too bold, if you’re not ready. It’s okay to take baby steps into new looks.
2. Sensually Subtle Black Hair with Highlights
Sensuality doesn’t have to be obvious to wow your audience. Take these red highlights that blend so effortlessly, at first glance you wouldn’t even notice they’re there. Woven into the dark hair so professionally, this style makes our mouth water for the way the stylist pulled off such a fascinating marriage of black hair with highlights.
3. Professionally Styles Highlights For Dark Hair
Leaning towards pink, these red highlights are bold in a very attractive, subtle way. Showcasing the art of a master-stylist, the way that this red balayage is done reminds us that when it comes to color and highlights, DIY projects are better left for things like fixing your shelves at home and not for your hair color.
4. Stand Out With Ombre Color
A look that looks great for dark-haired beauties is ombre. Now, add some spicy pink or purple hair color and you have a look that says, I’m fun but also don’t mess with me. If you’re looking for a look that has you standing out from the rest, this could be it. Pro tip: ombre nails go well with this look so don’t hesitate to give it a try!
5. Beachy Black Hair with Highlights
One of the best highlight ideas for dark hair that is curly is light blonde. Nothing says beach beauty like blonde hair colors over dark hair. Even if you haven’t been near the beach in over a year (because 2020), your friends will be none the wiser when you show up with this beautiful hairstyle.
6. Long Luscious Blue For Your Dark Style
With long dark hair, you may not want to add super light highlights but you want to do something unique. Try on this blue. So subtle, it’s to scream “I’m edgy!” but it will sparkle in the right light and add a touch of highlight to your long locks, helping you to feel beautiful for any occasion.
7. Classically Light Highlights on Dark Hair
When done by a professional, light highlights sprinkled over dark hair is a classically beautiful look, perfect for a special occasion or for a change of look for any change of season. Whether you’re preparing for your wedding or simply want to do something special as a pick-me-up, we love these highlight ideas for dark hair.
8. Caramel Dripping Black Hair with Highlights
Isn’t this look a treat? Just like caramel for a sweet treat on a cheat day, we love the way that these highlights blend effortlessly as the dark hair transitions into a lighter brown that is done so well, you’d think it was a la natural.
9. Glow Up With Beautiful Ombre
If you’re not ready to do a full head of lighter color, this ombre could be the glow-up that you are looking for. The soft transition of dark to light is so expertly done, you’re going to demand respect in any room that you walk into.
10. The Queen of Highlighted Dark Hair
At first glance, do you see the highlights? Not really. That’s because this look is supposed to be a subtle change that adds depth to your hairstyle and a change of style that looks professional and classy. If you’re looking to enrich your hair, this beautiful style will do just that, without demanding too much maintenance.
11. Minimalistic Highlights For Dark Hair
Not every hairstyle change has to be incredibly edgy or stand out like Beyonce in any room. This subtle look is just there but enough there for you to notice the difference. It will make your hair have more depth and style than it did before, making it a great option when you want to enhance your look without being super daring.
12. Brighten Your Smile—Use Highlights On Dark Hair
There’s just something about the way that highlights frame a face, so if you want to brighten your beautiful smile with a change of hairstyle, this dark to light transition will make everyone stand up and take notice of what you’ve got. If you’ve got it, flaunt it, right? This look is so expertly done, it all blends so effortlessly.
13. Taking Those Highlights Back To Your Roots
Who says you can’t do your roots as well? While ombre is a common look with dark and light highlight styles, this style proves you can’t put every look in a box. The way the highlights are spread smoothly and effortlessly throughout her hair shows that this expert knew exactly how to pull off the best highlights for black hair.
14. Lovely, Wispy Highlights on Dark Hair
Don’t you lovely a blended balayage? The stylist that created this masterpiece knows that to ensure quality results, the placement has to be on-point, and darling, this look is definitely done well. From the light blonde color to the way it is blended to perfection, this is a lovely style that will never go out of style.
15. Oh, So Pretty in Pink Highlights
Just because blondes often steal the show with rose gold hair reminiscent of champagne on a summer’s day doesn’t mean you can’t stand out with your dark hair and pink highlights. We are so in love with the blend of this look, with dark pink trailing into lighter rose color tips, making for a charming style perfect for any occasion.
16. Rich Chocolate Highlights on Dark Hair
Are you not into the blonde over brown color trend? We get it. Go lighter on your dark locks by doing a milk-chocolate color that is as tantalizing as the food itself. Soft yet bold, we love the gentle contrast of this dark on dark highlight blend. What about you?
17. Look Closely—The Seductive Highlights of Mystery
Sometimes an air of mystery can be the most captivating thing about you and with this amazing look, you’ll definitely be getting all eyes on you without even trying to. You have to look closely to see the intricate styling of these highlights, but once you do, let’s say you’ll be left feeling mesmerized.
18. Perfect Highlights For A Girl Like You
With curly hair, it’s always fun to play with color because of the way the color hides in and wraps around the locks. It’s also why you can do unique highlight styles on curly hair that simply wouldn’t look the same on straight hair. Pink sprinkled throughout brunette curls is a look that we couldn’t ever get tired of and simply put, these are some of the best highlights for black hair.
19. Like An Ice Queen Black Hair With Highlights
From black to white, we’re totally in love with the boldness of these light highlights spread across the canvas of full, dark hair. A style that is on-trend right now, it’s the perfect look for the fashion-conscious beauty fiend looking to try something new. We love this bold look—what about you?
20. Ooh-lala! Beautiful Brown Highlights On Dark Hair
To add richness to your look, you don’t have to do fancy colors or go super light. The way the caramel hair color blends with the darker hair is something out of a dream. Mesmerize your audience (whoever it may be) with a style like this one. You’ll never get tired of it!
21. Charm The World With These Highlights
From the cut to the light spread of light highlights, this is the perfect style for the woman changing up her style. Whether you’re cutting long hair to short or sprucing things up with a little bit of color, this is a look that is as charming as they come. It says, “I know what I want and how to get it” and we honestly love that for you.
22. Stand Out With Black Hair With Highlights
Have you ever heard someone say, “It’s going to take a lot with your dark hair to get the color you want?” Girl, no one needs that kind of negativity in their life. This is one of the best highlight ideas for dark hair. It’s subtle but bold enough that you do exactly what you want to do: black hair with highlights that will make you stand out.
23. Gosh! A Highlight Style to Die For!
I don’t know what else to say about this look other than that it makes me lose my breath with how stunning it is. The stylist didn’t go pour-heavy with color and they didn’t need to. Adding just enough light color to frame the face and a little more spread throughout for a seamless style, this is a look that is simply-to-die-for!
24. Highlights For A Change Of Season
As seasons change we tend to look for something new for our hair. This subtle maroon highlight job is a perfect way to switch things up, especially if things are transitioning into the cooler months. Soft yet bold, it’s a delicate look that will feel good on you, no matter the season.
25. Classy Ombre Highlights On Dark Hair
Sometimes to stand out from the rest, it’s good to go back to simplicity. This classic ombre look maybe something we know and love but you have to admit, it looks stunning here. From the blend of colors to the placement of the colors, oh goodness, we could go on forever about how classically beautiful this look really is.
26. Highlights That Won’t Bore You
If you can’t pick a color, who says you have to? We love the way that the stylist didn’t do big strips of color but instead did a light blend of various colors to make this a slightly edgy but highly charming look. Colors like this mix of green, pink, and purple are ideal for when you want black hair with highlights.
27. Don’t Be Afraid Of The Blonde
It’s easy for those with dark black hair to be afraid of putting light blonde in their hair. From, “I won’t look good as a blonde” to “will it look cheap?”, it’s hard to make the decision to go light. Dispel those ideas with this style. There’s nothing cheap about how beautifully blended the blonde balayage is with dark hair here. Black hair with highlights is a great look, and this style proves it.
28. From Top To Bottom Perfection
From the darkness to the caramel highlights, there’s really nothing not to love about this style. Smooth, sleek, sensual—the perfect look for a woman who wants to showcase that she knows her worth; an elegant style, worthy for any occasion.
29. Go Bold With Black Hair With Highlights
Looking for more than just a few blonde wisps in your hair? Okay! This is the style for you. The highlights are present in all their bold beauty, from the top of the roots, down to the tips. Just enough to change up your style, this is a great option for those who want a color change.
30. Auburn Highlights Have Us In A Daze
Auburn looks great on a lot of people so if you’re one of those people and you want to do something to stand out or change up your look, give auburn highlights on dark hair a thought. It’s attractive, subtle enough for the more reserved lady, and bold enough to show you’ve “done something with” your hair.
31. Delectably Smooth Like Butter Highlights
Never have you seen such a smooth look, from root to tip. If you wear your hair pencil straight, there’s just something about equality of highlights that is pleasing to the eye, and these red highlights on dark hair are what we’re living for. Smooth and sleek, it’s a look that is great for the office as well as a night out.
32. Highlight Your World, Highlight Your Curls
There’s just something so fun about highlighted curls. The way they fall wherever they please and no matter the color, this black hair with highlights is eye-catching. This light brown hair over dark black hair somehow looks so natural, you’d think she was born with it. But, really, she had a stellar professional create a perfectly blended balayage.
33. Captivating Magenta Highlights On Dark Hair
Are you looking for an edgy yet classy change? This may be the perfect look for you. It’s the way that the black seemingly drops into magenta as if it were a natural transition. Soft enough to be subtle but bold enough to demand attention, it’s a truly beautiful look for the woman who gets what she wants and her hair shows it.
34. Wanna-Be Blonde Try Out Highlights
Not ready to make the dive into full-on blonde? No problem. Try out the look with blonde highlights that cover most of your hair but not all of it. This look is easy to change if you aren’t happy with the color but bold enough to give you an idea if blonde is the color for you.
35. Enhance Your Style With These Highlights
Sometimes you need a pick-me-up, a simple change that doesn’t scream for attention but one that shows you care. With tips lightly dipped in color, this isn’t a huge style change but it doesn’t have to be. Black hair with highlights, that are delicate like this, is as appealing as they are stylish.
36. Black Hair With Highlights Dripping Honey
Oh, honey, this is a color for the ages! Soft highlights over dark hair, spread evenly across the top so as to minimize damage yet provide enough coverage, these are idyllic highlights that would look good on anyone. Soft yet sassy, we love this color for any season and any occasion.
37. Peek-a-Boo Highlights For You
Simple but sweet, this look of black hair with highlights is for the lady who wants to brighten things up a bit without going overboard with the color. Soft caramel highlights peeping out from dark locks to add depth and style are all that’s needed for a seasonal pick-me-up hairstyle.
38. Dare To Do Something New Highlights
If you have black hair or are a dark brunette, you may often be told that you have to keep it dark. Not true! A brunette can have fun with highlights, just like anybody and this look proves it. Light caramel strands over dark hair prove that you can have your cake and eat it too with highlights that blend effortlessly in your black hair.
39. Highlights You’ll Love To Wear
It can be daunting to walk into a salon and ask for a change. It doesn’t have to be scary when you work with a professional who can work magic like this. While the light-colored highlights are certainly a change, the way they’re blended effortlessly throughout her dark hair makes a new style noticeable yet not over-the-top.
40. Bold and Beautiful Highlights For A Woman Like You
Rich color peeking out from dark black locks is a style we can’t get enough of. If you want to express yourself in a way that shows, add some color to your dark hair, whether it’s pink, magenta, purple, blue, green, or what have you. We love the femme-fatale touch these charming, colorful highlights add to this beautiful cut.
41. Caramel Highlights Over Soft Dark Curls
Wow! Make heads turn with these beautiful caramel highlights that make for a perfect partial balayage look that is perfect for anything from weddings to a promotion at work. If you’re looking to sweeten your look, this charming style is a perfect fit for you—at least, we think so.
42. You Do You Highlights—Uniquely Beautiful
The way these highlights are spread throughout her hair in a style that isn’t your typical balayage or ombre makes for a unique look that will help you stand out from the rest. If you like to do things differently, we have to say: this could be one of the most perfect highlight ideas on dark hair for you.
43. Sassy Highlights For A Woman Like You
Bold and sassy, these highlights will stand out on your dark hair in a captivating way that is perfect for a woman who wants to stand out from the rest with a unique look that is anything but boring. This look went from haphazard color to perfectly placed highlights and we’re here for it!
44. Something-Special Highlights For Special Occasions
When you have something special to celebrate or an upcoming change, there may be something new that you want to do. These rich caramel highlights require little maintenance but they spruce up any look and make you ready for celebrating, whatever the occasion may be.
45. Mermaid Highlights For Brunettes
Show off your inner mermaid with rich turquoise highlights that are bold and daring without being overpowering. A classically beautiful style with a color bordering edgy, if you’re missing the sea and all of its glorious beauty, why not wear your black hair with highlights like these? Life isn’t normal right now, so why should your hair be?
46. Classic Highlight Ideas For Dark Hair
Are you looking for a classic style that is as timeless as your beauty? Aha! This look is for you. It’s soft, subtle, charming, and chic—there’s really nothing negative we can say about it. Gentle and light highlights spread throughout full, dark hair makes for a glorious style that will look good for the office, dates, and everyday wear.
47. White On Black Highlights For A Fresh Look
Who knew that white on black hair could look as chic as this? You don’t want to go overboard with the white if you want to keep a youthful look but these delicate highlights are giving us real skater-chic vibes and we’re here for it. We love how the light color frames the face and how complimentary black hair with highlights can be.
48. Caramel Highlight Vibes On Short, Dark Hair
From the cut to the color, all we can say is “Yas, queen! The rich caramel framing the front of the face is a classic look that will not only show off some edge, but it will brighten your eyes and frame your smile. Classic yet edgy, we think these are some of the best highlights for dark hair. This look makes for one of the best wedding hairstyles for short hair.
49. Super Classy: Effortlessly Classic Highlights
If you want a timeless look, may we suggest these light classic highlights? Perfectly applied to the T, these soft highlights are effortlessly beautiful—just like you. From top to bottom, the stylist didn’t miss a beat with the placement of each and every highlight. From the board room to coaching soccer, this is a beautiful style for any woman, no matter her job or lifestyle.
50. Bold, Red, Eye-Catching Highlights For You
Do you want to stand out in a room? Then, do we have the look for you! These red highlights that are designed to frame your face will make heads turn, regardless of the room you’re demanding attention in. Bold and beautiful, we love the way that the red color lights up any space, as it gently contrasts with black hair.
50 Best Highlight Ideas For Black Hair
You could go all out with all-over highlights like you’d see on Jennifer Lopez (could that be the trick that keeps her looking so young?) or go subtly appealing with soft highlights like on Mindy Kaling. Blend in a color that softens your dark hair by adding some espresso toned highlights that can be seen on celebrities like Emma Roberts.
When you feel good, you look good, there’s no doubt about that in our minds. And, anything that helps us to feel like ourselves these days is well worth trying. So, if you’ve been thinking of changing things up with your hair, we have you covered with a plethora of ideas. From curly hair to straight, no matter how long or short your hair maybe, there’s the color that will suit your style and looks that will have you feeling amazing for days. Check out our favorites! Now that you’ve gone through these gorgeous looks, don’t forget to also take a look at the prettiest short blonde hair ideas!
