38 Beautiful Black Hair with Highlights

Black hair with highlights features a dark base enriched by accents of a lighter shade. Depending on the coloring technique employed, the outcome can be subtle and natural-looking or striking with high contrast.

Hair artist Summer Rowan from Upstate South Carolina shares the top three questions you should discuss with an expert beforehand.

Does this suit your lifestyle? Will it enhance your skin tone? Keep in mind that some colors may appear harsh against your complexion.

Finally, inquire about how it will fade and what to expect in the long term. Discover tips and tricks for managing or preventing the fading process.

“Hairstylists appreciate providing honest feedback. They can guide you if your preferred color might not suit you, even if that’s what you envision,” notes Rowan.

Maintenance is crucial, and the products you use at home are significant. Color-safe shampoos and conditioners will maintain the tone’s vibrancy and longevity. “I suggest using a hydrating shampoo, such as Oribe Gold Lust or Sevens Kente Bond. It’s also essential to apply a hair mask weekly,” Rowan emphasizes.

Incorporating highlights into your dark locks can be a significant transformation. It’s helpful to share some photo inspirations with your stylist to ensure you both share the same vision.

For more inspiration, here are images of the trendiest shades and styles for black hair with highlights!

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#1 Gentle Balayage Highlights

Balayage highlights offer an excellent hair color option that you’ll love! If you’re seeking a touch of dimension with minimal maintenance, these natural highlights are an ideal choice. Incorporating these delicate highlights into your hair provides a soft depth, and adding waves beautifully enhances this style.

#2 Subtle Ashy White Highlights

If you’d like to enhance your silver highlights, please don’t hesitate to ask for a touch of violet ash hue. It’s a delicate way to bring dimension and texture. For a more understated appearance, it’s good to start with small streaks or flecks throughout the hair. Or, opt for bolder looks with larger sections of lighter color. You can also use balayage techniques for more seamless results. These hair color highlights require special maintenance and care.

#3 Delicate Accents for a Dark Mane

Delicate highlights for your dark mane incorporate the use of warm brown tones. Chestnut brown shades appear stunning if you have black hair and provide a subtle tone-on-tone coloration. Soft, rich, brown highlights are natural-looking and are relatively low maintenance.

#4 Subtle Highlights on Dark Hair

Ideal subtle highlights on dark hair feature warm blonde shades. For an elegant, sunlit appearance on your naturally dark locks, choose sandy golden tones instead of cool highlights for a more authentic finish. Consult your hair colorist for golden, dark blonde highlights to enhance your facial features along with hand-painted balayage that will create depth while coloring your hair and allow the honeyed highlights to beautifully contrast with your dark strands.

#5 Deep Hair Shades with Silver Highlights

Silver highlights introduce a cool, smoky dimension to the hair color. You don’t have to undergo a complete color change to bring luminosity to your dark tresses. Subtle hints of silver appear more organic and striking, and they can be complemented with other shades like blue.

#6 Beautiful Brown Balayage Highlights with Soft Curled Ends

Illuminate your dark locks with exquisite brown balayage highlights. Rich dark brown highlights on black hair will add a layered luminosity to your appearance and serve as an excellent opportunity to explore lighter tones. Bring along examples of brown highlight styles to your stylist during your next visit to embark on your hair transformation journey.

#7 Lived-In Bright Red and Purple

Ask for a lived-in bright red and purple. To create black hair color ideas with vivids, try color-blocking peek-a-boos under your base tone. This way, the roots will be covered, minimizing the look of it growing out. Invest in Redken Color Extend Shampoo to keep your color vibrant.

#8 Effortless Lived-in Highlights

You can experiment with an effortless color featuring lived-in highlights. Highlights that are seamlessly blended into your hair require minimal upkeep. Balayage is perfect if you want to explore lighter strands without the maintenance of traditional highlights. Brown highlights will impart a multi-dimensional glow to your hair.

#9 Voluminous Wavy Hair with Multidimensional Highlights

This voluminous wavy black hair with multidimensional highlights is an excellent choice for those contemplating a bob or pixie style. It’s ideal for both straight and voluminous wavy looks. To achieve the best outcome, discuss with your stylist the appropriate haircut proportions for your face. Additionally, inquire about point-cutting or texturizing methods to truly enhance the highlights.

#10 Stunning Blonde Ombre Highlights

Dark hair with blonde ombre highlights is an exceptional choice for adding depth and brightness to your locks. An ombre technique works wonders on dark hair because it creates a seamless transition from dark to light that requires minimal upkeep. Blonde ombre highlights on dark hair provide brunettes with striking blonde accents while maintaining dimension and fullness.

#11 Subtle White Highlights on Dark Hair

How captivating is dark hair with subtle white highlights? The black and white palette presents unique challenges to maintain a fresh look. Black hair color tends to bleed; attaining true white can be elusive. Only a small percentage of women can achieve pure white hair. One effective method to realize this look is by utilizing white extensions. Incorporating white extensions helps maintain your hair’s health. Additionally, you have the flexibility to modify your hair color at each appointment.

#12 Black Hair Accentuated with Chestnut Highlights

Dark hair enhanced with chestnut highlights offers a beautiful way to introduce depth to your locks. The blend of a lighter tone with black roots provides striking contrast and suits warm skin tones perfectly. This effortless color scheme of black and brown hair shades is gentler on your hair.

#13 Chic Dark Hair with Subtle Rose Gold Highlights

Dark hair with rose gold highlights exudes femininity and a touch of playfulness. These highlights are perfect for adding depth if you’re a darker brunette. Incorporate curls to your ends; they’ll look fabulous at any hair length! If you’re considering highlights for your black locks, remember that blonde isn’t your only option. Streaks of rose gold offer a fun alternative, too.

#14 Enchanting White Blonde Highlights

White-blonde highlights on black hair can enhance your wavy locks and conceal gray strands. These white-blonde highlights feature a silvery/ashy balayage, giving it a grayish hue. Those blonde streaks can highlight the layers if you have layered hair.

#15 Distinctive Red Accents

Black hair with red accents is a must-try for a unique alternative to conventional blonde highlights. If you’re a darker-haired woman, toning your hair highlights for black hair to a red hue is more attainable than ashy blonde highlights. Red accents on black hair showcase warm colors, making a warmer tone ideal for preserving the hair’s integrity.

#16 Smoky Ash Blonde Accents

A few blonde accents provide a smoky effect—such a hue complements cool and rosy skin tones. It is advisable to use products with UV protection to ensure the blonde highlights remain vibrant longer.

#17 Radiant Golden Highlights

Golden highlights are undeniably elegant and adaptable. Styling plays a crucial role when it comes to high-contrast black hair with blonde highlights. The combination of golden highlights with chocolate brown tones will enhance your hair’s depth and dimension. Maintain the dark roots to promote a softer and more blended appearance as your hair grows.

#18 Striking Purple Accents

Elevate black hair with purple accents and make all the other ladies envious! The hint of purple at the tips will create a stunning color transition in your locks.

#19 Distinctive Blue Highlights

Show off blue highlights and achieve a distinctive dimensional color! The blend of black and blue shades will give your mane a richer appearance while introducing a unique radiance to it. To enhance your new highlights with black hair, styling with waves creates magic.

#20 Stylish Short Hair Featuring Highlights

Short black hair with highlights is tempting and full of energy. Soft, warm-toned highlights enhance your hair beautifully. You should consider trying a lob haircut with layers. This adds texture and makes toffee-colored highlights pop.

#21 Stylish Blonde Highlights at the Front

A hue of sunlit blonde highlights on black hair is fashionable and always appears stunning. The depth it creates will introduce warmth and luster to your dark locks. To maintain vibrancy around your face and give yourself a fresh look, I suggest you request your hairdresser for a money piece.

#22 Medium-Length Hairstyles Featuring Subtle Brown Highlights

When considering a transformation for your black hair, think about incorporating some subtle brown highlights. They will introduce depth and character to your look. I recommend reviewing a variety of images with your stylist prior to coloring your hair. This will assist you in deciding which placement and shade would work best. With brown highlights on black hair, anticipate a warmer hue for your initial session. Ensure you’re comfortable with warmer tones before moving forward.

#23 Delicate Babylights on Long Hair

Chocolate babylights on long black hair create a stunning color interplay. The gentle touch of the painted chocolate highlights against black hair will inspire others to replicate your style. I suggest adding waves to enhance the ribbons of dimension.

#24 Deep Burgundy Accents on Very Dark Hair

A reddish tint is one of the best black hair highlights, creating a striking effect. The finish is so vivid it adds extra flair to your long, wavy hair. You’ll need these burgundy accents to be moisturized while avoiding oils to keep them in their most vibrant condition.

#25 Gorgeous Deep Brunette with Gentle Highlights

When it comes to darker tones, this gorgeous deep brunette with gentle highlights is a must-try. If this hue is what you desire, you can avoid taking the highlights too light. It can be helpful to change this color in the salon rather than at home to ensure maximum impact and expert highlight placement.

#26 Stylish Black Bob Enhanced with Bold Pink Highlights

A stylish black bob enhanced with bold pink highlights is the perfect way to add a striking interest if you have dark and sometimes dull-looking colors. The bold pink highlights are fun and can bring liveliness to your face. Dark hair can wash light-toned skin out and look quite harsh, so by adding pink, you can soften your overall appearance.

#27 Stunning Silver Highlights

Silver highlights foster a richer ashy tone and a smokey depth. Highlighted strands of black hair can offer you the chicest and most striking transformation. You can enliven your hair with texture and waves to enhance the shining silvery strands.

#28 Vibrant Pink Accents

Dark hair adorned with pink highlights complements a lively and adventurous spirit. If you resonate with that, consider a striking pink for a playful yet passionate flair on your dark locks. Most hairstylists suggest rinsing your hair with cold water to maintain its vibrancy for longer. But if it does fade, seize the chance to experiment with another hue, as it won’t require lightening.

#29 Deep Black with Striking Purple Accents

You can’t go wrong with subtle purple highlights if you have deep-black hair. Purple is the best shade for first-time vivid clients. It fades out beautifully, usually back to blonde, and there’s a shade of purple that suits everyone. Purple is customizable with both warm and cool tones! Avoid overwashing and using hot water when shampooing to prolong the vibrancy of this shade.

#30 Vibrant Rainbow Highlights

Here’s an eye-catching hair color option. It’s designed for those wishing to infuse a playful twist into their long wavy hair with a vibrant rainbow highlighted black hairstyle. The rainbow highlights will bring a lively burst of color to your hair. And the black base will deliver a sleek, elegant appearance. This colorful highlights hair color is ideal for anyone who enjoys trying out fresh, bold styles. Consult with your hairstylist to blend striking and contrasting colors like red, blue, purple, and green. Then, evenly distribute them throughout your hair. One of the premier color lines for Pravana ChromaSilk VIVIDS Original. The outcome is a distinctive, eye-catching style perfect for any event.

#31 Charming Copper Highlights

Consider a copper foilayage with a stylish bob cut. The best thing about it is the pops of color and not having to get it touched up every 6-to 8 weeks. These copper highlights are achievable but know that blonde highlights will most likely not happen on the first visit while maintaining the integrity of the hair.

#32 Bold Black Slob Featuring Red and Purple Highlights

Ask for a black slob with red and purple highlights. It’s a sleek bob with an edgy color block. Don’t be afraid to get your color placement on the crown of your head to show off fun colors. This placement is good for smaller face shapes, triangle, or diamond to help create an oval shape. You will want to invest in a great color shampoo to maintain your color, like the Redken series Magenta, for such stunning black hair with highlights ideas.

#33 Jet Black Hair with Vibrant Rainbow Highlights

Introduce a splash of color into your hair with stunning rainbow highlights and a luminous money piece. These rainbow hairstyles are lively and set a distinctive trend. They are ideal for individuals looking to embrace creativity and make a bold statement. The deep base shade provides a captivating contrast to the vibrant rainbow highlights, ensuring your hair turns heads in any setting.

#34 Chic Black Bob with Indigo Accents

To stay stylish, incorporate a whimsical aspect by complementing your dark locks with rich indigo. Begin this look with an all-over application of babylights. Then, soften the tones using a semi-permanent dye that beautifully captures the light. Make sure to request a toning conditioner to maintain the vibrancy. This shade may fade quickly.

#35 Subtle Brown Balayage Highlights

Choose these balayage brown highlights for a rich and dimensional look while maintaining a natural and modern appearance. The highlights enhance a darker skin tone and complement natural hair color. This is a low-maintenance option for women who color only 2-3 times annually. A brown balayage is ideal for the busy girl, with a soft grow-out that avoids harsh lines or roots in need of touch-up.

#36 Brunette Highlights with Multi-Dimensional Flair

Transform your black hair with stunning brunette highlights. Soft, warm-toned medium brown highlights will infuse brightness into your strands for an eye-catching finish. Curling your locks will beautifully showcase your multi-dimensional hue.

#37 Delicious Caramel Highlights

Caramel highlights enhance a rich, sultry brightness in black hair. If your hair color is warm, it will complement neutral and golden skin complexions beautifully. With soft waves and curls, the stunning dimension is emphasized even better. These caramel highlights provide a low-maintenance dimensional hair color. The depth is maintained at the root, allowing you to enjoy 4-5 months of color without redoing it. For most women, it can require multiple appointments and can be costly. It’s essential to consult with your hair colorist to determine if this is the ideal caramel shade for your hair type.

#38 Auburn Balayage Highlights

Try a lived-in balayage on dark hair featuring auburn highlights. If styled in waves, it will enhance the dimensional hues in your hair. This balayage of dark hair with auburn highlights is perfect for women desiring a low-maintenance color, requiring upkeep only a few times a year.