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If you're an African-American woman who has considered blond highlights, you've likely worried about highlights appearing too severe, or the nightmare of ending up with brassy streaks. Fortunately, there are tons of blond colors out there to choose from. If you have warm undertones, opt for warm, golden tones. For cool undertones, go for cool, ash-based colors. And about that brassy issue -- your hair stylist has the knowledge and the products to lift your hair to a beautiful shade, so don't try this one at home.
Front and Center Highlights
If you're feeling a bit concerned when it comes to committing to a head full of highlights, give yourself a break. Highlights are meant to illuminate your features and add a bit of sparkle into the mix -- you don't need them throughout your entire mane. Ask your hairstylist for a few well-placed highlights in the very front of your hair. Oh, and go for a darker blond, such as dark, copper blond for warm complexions or dark, ash blond for cool skin tones. You'll gain all the depth and lightness without feeling locked into your new style.
All-Over Highlights
If you've ever really wanted to go blond but were under the impression that you had to dye every single strand of hair on your head -- think again. Adding a ton of highlights to your hair provides the appearance that you're totally blond, but you'll retain a tiny bit of your naturally dark color. The benefit? Your barely-there roots will ground your look so it doesn't look uber-artificial. Try light, ash blond for cool complexions and medium, golden blond for warm.
Multi-Tonal Skinny Highlights
While the term "highlights" may immediately conjure up images of blond streaks throughout your hair with high contrast against your natural color, you have options. Ask your stylist for super-skinny highlights in several tones. Your hair will display a great deal of depth and your multidimensional color will take on a very natural appearance, even if it's obvious that you weren't born a blonde! Think platinum blond, dark blond and light brown for cool skin tones or pale, buttery blond, dark, warm blond or dark, strawberry blond for warm skin tones.
Two-Tone Highlights
If you're a woman who loves an on-trend look that pushes the limits and makes people look a second time, go for a bold statement. Ditch the thinner highlights and say goodbye to the classic single tone. For this two-tone look, your hair stylist will create two different panels of color in the front of your hair. Your stylist will then blend the color into the rest of your tresses by weaving in thinner strands toward the sides of your head. For cool complexions, think lightest cool blond and medium, neutral blond. For warm skin tones, go with light, golden blond and medium, golden blond.
