If you are looking for ideas forHair colors for curly hairyou've probably come across a number of beautiful highlights, whether your search took you to Pinterest or Instagram. If you don't feel like a complete color change, you can spice up your natural curls with highlights. Highlights are the perfect way to add depth and dimension to curly hair. Would you like to learn more about highlights in natural curls? Below we will tell you which highlighting techniques are best for curly hair and give you 6 ideas for different highlights on curly hair that we are enthusiastic about.
Do natural curls look good with highlights?
First things first: If you're wondering whether highlights look good on curly hair, the answer is a resounding “yes”! Highlights look truly stunning on natural curls and add just the right amount of extra definition to your already defined hair texture. This great interplay of color and texture is perfect for your hair.
Can highlights damage curly hair?
As with any hair coloring option, especially highlights that require a bleaching session first, hair damage can occur. That's why it's a good idea to go to a professional instead of doing the highlights yourself. The more you want to lighten your natural hair color - i.e. the lighter you want to dye your highlights - the more potential damage can occur.
Especially for curly hair types, hair color processing can affect the hair structure and cause your coils to lose their shape. But even if your natural curl pattern changes during the highlighting process, it shouldn't be permanent. What matters is how light you want to lighten your hair. If you're aiming for a copper or golden brown shade, your curl pattern will be less likely to change. But when you go from jet black to white blonde, expect your locks to become limper and smoother for about two washes.
If your colorist takes the right steps and lightens your hair in sessions, and you then establish a healthy hair care routine with nutrient-rich conditioners, highlights shouldn't be too harsh on your natural curls.
Which highlighting techniques are best?
Time and technique depend on how many highlights are made. You can work individual strands evenly into your hair or create a two-tone look. However, the balayage method is recommended for naturally curly hair.
Balayage
With balayage, the hair color is applied freehand, which has the advantage that you can decide for yourself where the color and the curls should fall. This hair coloring technique really gives hair a natural, sun-kissed look. A big advantage is that the roots remain untreated and therefore do not have to be constantly recolored.
The hair is usually divided into small triangular sections and the colorist hand-paints each curl individually. The color is mainly applied along the length and at the tips. He then covers the hair lightly with cellophane to retain heat so the dye can work its magic.
Foilyage
For women with curl type 4, i.e. with super frizzy hair, the foilyage technique (balayage + foil technique) is recommended. The colorist applies the color freehand and wraps the colored strands in foil to better control the process. It's important that your stylist carefully checks how your hair reacts to the bleach to avoid over-processing it and ruining your curl pattern.
Whether with balayage or with foils, when highlighting curly hair you have to pay attention to the size of the hair sections you choose. If strands that are too thin are lightened, the highlights will be lost, but strands that are too large will look bulky and unnatural. You can also achieve great contouring effects with highlightsFraming the face beautifully.
Natural gradient
Another way to give natural curls more pizzazz and lighten dark hair is the color gradient, also known as gradient. You start with a darker root and then switch between dark and light tones, thinner or thicker strands towards the tips. The color distribution must have a natural and harmonious effect.
Even if your curl pattern is not significantly changed during the bleaching process, dryness and frizz may occur after processing. To avoid this, aftercare is key. It is recommended to invest in Olaplex Hair Treatment No.3 because it strengthens the hair again after chemical treatment. Making color-safe, moisturizing hair masks a regular part of your hair care routine will keep your color vibrant and your curls defined.
Although some color jobs require a trip to the salon every 4-6 weeks for touch-ups, you don't have to invest as much time (and money) for highlights. If you want to give your curls a beautiful shine, you can make an appointment every 6-8 weeks. If not, your curls will continue to thrive and your highlights will look even more natural over time.
6 ideas for beautiful highlight colors for naturally curly hair
Need some highlight color inspiration? If you're curious about what hair colors look best on curly hair, check out the following natural curls with highlights ideas and find the perfect shade for your type.
Honey blonde
When it comes to blonde highlights on natural curls, we're big fans of honey blonde. This warm, golden blonde tone looks stunning as a highlight, especially on dark blonde and light brown hair.
Bright red
Do you want to make a statement with your strands? Then red highlights on curly hair are a trendy option. Bright red sets the perfect contrast to dark and black curls.
Reddish brown
When it comes to brown curly hair with highlights, we love the subtle definition that reddish-brown highlights bring to the mix. With its red undertones, the color deviates only slightly from a natural hair tone and allows for a trendy look without stepping too far out of your comfort zone.
With reddish brown you create a subtle, elegant contrast
Show off the curls with a high puff hairstyle
Lila
If you like playing with colors, purple looks great on curly hair, in lavender! Lavender-colored highlights create a striking contrast to dark brown and black curls and create beautiful accents. To find the perfect shade of purple for your skin type, read our article “Dye purple hair“
Different shades of purple in the tips
Pastel purple flatters medium skin types
Caramel brown
If you prefer a more traditional color, consider caramel brown highlights. The light brown tone still provides an overall lighter mane without having to lighten to a blonde shade. This is a good option for those starting with a very dark base, as it requires fewer bleaching sessions than other blonde alternatives.
As if kissed by the sun
Highlights bring curls to life
Silver and gray
Lavender isn't your thing, but you still want to explore new avenues? Silver highlights are just as trendy! Use them to give black curly hair a modern twist.
Speaking of silver highlights, if you think this trend is right for you, you should check out our article “10 ideas for beautiful silver highlights" view.
This is what silver highlights look like on curly brown hair
