When I was blow drying a client’s hair, the client lifted her head and I caught a glimpse of a nice, bright gold piece of hair hidden in her dark layers. It was an instant conversation stopper. This moment really illustrates the magic of the peekaboo highlights cut. Highlights are not meant to be “in your face” all the time but are meant to provide that wow moment.
Peekaboo highlights are the ultimate way to give your hair color a fun twist without a huge commitment. It is a way to give you a pop of color if you are the type of person who shies away from bold colors. The best part is that the highlights are hidden underneath and so you can be as daring as you want while still maintaining a cute and classy look. While some clients are happy to have a simple blonde peek out, others want a glow-in-the-dark type of hair that’s visible when she ties her hair. The peekaboo highlights are great because the colors can be subtle or bright to your heart’s content. Here are some great examples of this technique that I really love!
#1: Soft and Easy Long Hair with Blonde Peekaboo Highlights
Amazing style! The blonde highlights look so soft and blended into the base color. It’s so natural and shimmery. The ends of the hair being straightened also make the highlights look so much more clean / precise than chunky (which can happen with straight hair). The face framing highlights are super bright and are accomplishing a lot of the work here. This is honestly something I would suggest to first time highlight clients and is very low maintenance. It also gives a big change when you look in the mirror!
#2: Warm Textured Waves with Blonde Peekaboo Highlights
Waves create highlights by giving the hair extra surface area; they bring the color to life. With the curls blonde pieces weave in and out, delivering an effect no flat color can provide, and the warm, undertoned base balances perfectly. This looks like a fresh sun-kissed vacation, where your hair is catching the light in all the right spots. No cool or ashy tones exist here, all the colors work in harmony. Peek-a-boo highlights really take the look to the next level for naturally wavy or textured hair, as the movement of your hair does much of the work to create a more dynamic and engaging appearance.
#3 Clean Blunt Cut with Hidden Blonde Highlights
I’ll be honest, blunt cuts can go either way when it comes down to the density of the hair, but this one is working because the hair has just enough weight to hold that sharp line without looking thin at the ends. The subtle blonde peekaboo highlights add to the clean and modern appearance, which is perfect for a cut as precise as this. It has sharp edges for a polished look, and the blonde highlights soften it just enough so it doesn’t look severe. You’ll definitely have to stay on top of trims with something this blunt. Even a quarter inch of uneven growth starts to show pretty quickly.
#4: Copper Base with Blonde Peekaboo Highlights on Long Hair
I love the combination of blonde with copper. It always looks so good! The placement is good, the peek-a-boo technique lets the color breathe, and it’s not too distracting. The lighter blonde underneath is gorgeous with the copper warm tones, especially when it shows up at the ends of the curls! It looks so good! I have to note that it takes longer to achieve this look because you have to balance out the two tones. Keeping the two tones in their lanes is essential, but when it all comes together it’s so pretty! The soft flip at the end gives it a little personality too. It’s laid back but not too much.
#5: Textured Bob with Playful Blonde Peekaboo
If you have a bob hairstyle, peekaboo highlights are a good option because the length shows the blonde pops of color very well. The layers are textured to ensure the highlights are not static but will be mobile. This way, different pieces of blonde will show depending on how you style your hair. Shadow rooting adds dimension and prevents a washed out look, which is especially important for shorter lengths. I would recommend this look with a purple shampoo to keep the blonde from getting brassy between appointments.
#6: Dark Layers with Face-Framing Blonde Peekaboo
I especially like the blonde hair framing the face because it accentuates the cheekbones and jaw, and then everything else being dark and rich is so nice. That placement is super flattering because it draws the eye in and up. Plus, on someone with thicker hair like this, the dark layers have so much body that the little bit of blonde feels like a secret woven in. It’s not dramatic or anything, but it alters the whole hair, warming and lighting it up where you see it most. I think this works especially well on darker brunnets who want brightness without losing the deep rich base they love.
#7: Long Sleek Hair with Blended Blonde Peekaboo
I appreciate the simplicity of this description, and that’s the way a compliment is intended. Hair that is straight, long, and healthy looks good. Especially when the highlights are blended into the bottom layers so that it looks like natural color variation. The longer layers add a little shape so it doesn’t look like a solid curtain of hair, and the peekaboo effect is subtle enough to be worn to conservative workplaces without anyone batting an eye. It’s nice and simple and does the job. Not every hairstyle has to scream for attention, sometimes the goal is to make the hair look good and this does just that.
#8: Medium-Length Waves with Blonde Peekaboo for Dimension
The different colors in your hair blend nicely and catch the light in a natural way. The blonde and brunette colors work well together, and the subtle highlights give a bit of brightness where the hair is curled. If you have thick hair, soft waves can show the volume without making it look heavy. The different colors also add dimension and can make it look lighter and more interesting overall. To keep the waves defined, you can use a little hydrating serum on damp hair and then scrunch it.
#9: Flowing Long Waves with Blonde Peekaboo Warmth
Relaxed, long waves will always be stunning. They give off warm and inviting feelings, plus the peekaboo blonde that runs through the middle of the hair makes it softer. The subtle wave pattern might give off the vibe that she just braid her hair last night and went to sleep with it like that, which is exactly what a lot of my clients dream of. The highlights are soft and blended enough that the waves are shaped well and do not get lost in the hair. For the amount of work that was put into this look, it is great, plus the whole “I didn’t try” look is always a winner.
#10: Layered Length with Soft Blonde Peekaboo Highlights
This cutting method adds some movement and texture to the tips without sacrificing length, and the blond peekaboo highlights are placed in the layered sections to stand out the most. The natural wave provides an organic feel to everything, as if the color grew that way. For me, what works here best is the fact that the highlights are just the right amount of brightness and chunkiness. They add the right amount of contrast and dimension to what was bound to be a very flat single-process look. If you tend to leave a long time in between appointments, this type of subtle highlighting will grow out very nicely.
#11: Copper Ombre Bob with Warm Blonde Highlights
Copper to blonde looks great and reminds me of fall leaves. With a bob, you get to show off the ombre and the color isn’t getting cut off. The soft waves are great because they keep the hair from looking too blunt and that’s a risk with these lengths. The warm tones are going to look great and I can see people complimenting your hair a lot with this. It’s sign of a good color that you will need to use a color depositing conditioner to keep it.
#12: Long Dark Hair with Bold Blonde Peekaboo and Bangs
The bangs change up the whole vibe of the hairstyle. With the same highlights on hair, without bangs, it just wouldn’t be the same. The bold blonde peekaboo creates a great contrast with the dark strands and having that fringe makes it look more put together. I think this look is definitely bolder than the rest of the looks I’ve talked about and I appreciate that. Not every peekaboo has to be a whisper. That said, bangs and highlights is a bit more of a commitment because it will take more time in the chair and more regular visits to the salon. If that is something you don’t mind, then it won’t be a downside at all.
#13: Auburn Waves with Shimmering Blonde Peekaboo
These gorgeous auburn base and platinum blonde peekaboo highlights complement each other beautifully. The platinum blonde highlights pick up the rich brown and warm red tones beautifully reflected. Brown and red tones create an almost iridescent feel which changes with the light and is very mesmerizing. The slight waves in the hair also create movement so that the golden highlights peek out and disappear continuously. This color combination takes a true expert to blend the tones correctly as blonde and auburn can clash terribly if mismatched undertones. This combination of colors leaves me speechless.
#14: Dark Hair with Bright Blonde Peekaboo and Layers
This look has a lot of layers, and peekaboo highlights. The layers give enough separation between the dark and blonde colors so you can see the full effect of the looks. The slight wave keeps it soft and the look from appearing stripy, which can happen when there’s a strong contrast in colors. The bangs and face framing pieces keep it from being too back heavy and all of the color work where you can’t see. This style does require a lot of maintenance to keep the blonde fresh, but it is the kind of look that people definitely notice.
#15: Rich Dark Waves with Strategic Blonde Peekaboo
I appreciate how even the blonde color is. The evenness of the blonde color and how it surrounds the frame is great. The concentration of the blonde around the face and how it trails off into the length of the hair, looks like it has a purpose instead of it just being uneven and random. The richness of the base color gives the hair dimension. That slight wave in the photo shows us light more than the other waves. The framing of the face and brightness around it is positive too. I imagine that when the hair is pulled back in a ponytail or a bun, it would still look great. The blonde around the hairline would create such a different look.
#16: Sun-Kissed Brown Waves with Blonde Peekaboo
It’s nice that your hair is that color. The stylist did a great job blending highlighting. The waves in your hair look very natural. I like how the hair is a medium length because it helps everything look softer. Overall it is a nice style and I hope to see you with this look again.
#17: Polished Long Hair with Placement Blonde Peekaboo
Simplicity is key. Long, straight hair with expertly placed blonde peekaboo highlights framing the face for a hair contouring effect? Yes please!! Highlights are usually placed all over the hair, but I love the less is more approach. With hair this straight and sleek, every single highlight is calculated. Since there are no waves or curls to cover ‘imperfect’ placements, all of the highlights must be perfectly positioned. This look is for you if you have naturally straight hair, and want something simple but sophisticated. A smoothing product will keep the look polished and glassy.
#18: Long Layered Hair with Woven Blonde Peekaboo
The movement, fall, and layers of the hair create a stunning effect. The blonde peekaboo highlights are gradual and not distracting. I prefer having highlights in the back rather than all the blonde up front. The layers are cut for movement purpose and are aimed towards keeping weight from the bottom, which is essential for retaining fullness and thickness. The more hair you grow, the better this style gets. The longer it gets, the more interesting the contrast of dark and blonde.
#19: Modern Layered Cut with Fresh Blonde Peekaboo
The new and modern cuts in this hairstyle give off a fresh and new look. They take a more subtle and blended approach compared to the over graduated layers we used to see. Perfectly positioned peekaboo blonde highlights sit right at the layering points. They offer so much movement to the color, especially when the hair swings. These highlights create the illusion of thickness and texture making them great for fine hair. The length is great, as it’s just long enough to be versatile, but not long enough to weigh everything down. Precise color does mean more regular appointments, but that is the case with most great color.
#20: High Contrast Black and Blonde Peekaboo Waves
The confidence here is awesome! The black and blonde combo is so dramatic, and the way the waves reflect the colors is stunning. The colors are so perfectly intertwined. This style is definitely not for those wanting to blend in. This is for the clients who say \”I want people to see it.\” It’s awesome to see that attitude! The volume from the thick hair really adds to the look, and the waves help to soften it. It’ll take a lot of commitment to keep the blonde looking healthy, and maintaining this look will require regular bonding treatments. I would definitely recommend a good bonding treatment for this look.
#21: Dark Brown Layers with Peeking Blonde Highlights
I appreciate the transparency this photo shows. The clips used when the hair is sectioned off are helpful for people trying to understand how peekaboo highlights are done. It shows the process of how they are layered. The dark base brown is very rich and the blonde is warm enough to go with it without too much contrast. The soft waves in the mid-length and ends provide some body and the layers keep everything in motion. This is such an easy everyday way to wear peekaboo highlights. It’s not extreme or something that will shock your coworkers on Monday morning. Just a little something extra hiding in there.
#22: Copper and Blonde Balayage on Long Flowing Hair
While this looks more like a balayage than traditional peekaboo, it does show copper and blonde waves as you describe, showing off all the beautiful shades in between. The warmth to this look is gorgeous and paired with the right skin tone it is pure magic. I love it when clients come to my chair and show me photo inspirations like this. It is so easy to create this because I love that kind of work where I get to paint the colours and see how it all blends. Having that length also really gives the colour space to breathe. It gives it a a natural expensive look, which is part of the length. Expect this to fade often because warm tones do tend to fade. Plan on refreshing this look every few months to maintain that brightness.
#23: Soft Ombre with Blonde Tips and Natural Waves
The ombre is really soft here, without a hard line where dark turns blonde, it just warms up and lightens towards the ends which gives it an organic feel. Each wave enhances the transition as each curl reflects a different color. This is a great option for those who want to incorporate blonde into their hair but want to avoid going dark at the roots. You get the enjoyment of a lighter color without the grow-out stress. The darker roots act as a natural anchor and give this look the ability to improve as it grows over time, which is the complete opposite of most color scenarios and that is why I love it.
#24: Sleek Dark Hair with Subtle Blonde Peekaboo Placement
The base color of this hair is amazing, super dark and shiny, and the blonde peekaboo highlights are just barely there, hidden so they only show when the hair parts a certain way. The highlights look classy and sophisticated on straight thick hair. She won’t have a visible line of demarcation at six weeks, which is a huge plus for those who don’t love being in the salon. If your hair runs dry, do continue deep conditioning because any lightening process will affect the moisture balance and even with minimal highlights, this is true.
#25: Textured Long Waves with Bright Blonde Peekaboo
The hair’s texture and volume really stand out with this style. The blonde highlights really bring out the thick and healthy quality of the hair. It almost looks like there are multiple layers created by all the healthy hair reflecting the light at different angles. The blonde color around the face brightens it up and gives the hair some movement. The highlights throughout the hair add an amazing effect. The waves spread the blonde highlights and it looks beautiful. The more hair there is, the better the look will be. This look is great in photos, but it really is even better in real life when the hair is moving. The peekaboo highlights are concealed until the hair moves and this is a great example of when the technique is done right. The top layer of hair is voluminous enough to conceal the peekaboo highlights until the hair shifts.
#26: Shoulder-Length Layers with Warm Blonde Peekaboo
I find this haircut really nice, and I appreciate that this style will show movement from the layers and hair color will show without styling, which will truly show my personality. I also really appreciate the warm hair color because it adds a friendliness to this style that works with her natural waves and helps accentuate them. The warm highlights around her face really add to the waves and draws focus to them while the multiple highlights throughout the layers add dimension to the style. I think this is a fabulous wash and go haircut and blonde color combo.
#27: Soft Brown Layers with Understated Blonde Peekaboo
This look has an understated quality that is so lovely. The brown base is soft and the blonde peekaboo highlights are woven in so that they are not overwhelming, but rather provide a bit of brightness to the whole look. The soft waves and layers create dimension and the blonde highlights help to catch the light. For someone who enjoys having brown hair, this is a super pretty look. It does not make a big change, but it feels different and a bit brighter and fresher. It’s that change that makes your friends say, `something is different about you` but they can’t put their finger on it.
#28: Long Layers with Bold Blonde Peekaboo Highlights
The bottom half of this hairstyle features nice relaxed waves along with eye-catching bold highlights. The way the highlights contrast against the base color is energizing and more pronounced than other highlighting techniques which I have discussed. Unlike some of the other styles I’ve mentioned that have more subtle blonde highlights, in this style the highlights are layered and spaced out enough to provide some balance. The lighter ends of the hair look beautiful. However, they are the most exposed and vulnerable parts and ends that are lightened that much will need to be hydrated. While it definitely will be work, the style definitely looks great.
#29: Soft Waves with Warm Blonde Peekaboo Through the Layers
The waves appear relaxed and the blonde peekaboo highlights are warm enough to blend with the base rather than clash with it, which unifies the look. I like that this will suit a range of hair densities because the styling is uncomplicated, and the color does most of the work in terms of creating interest and dimension. The length is medium which is practical and easy to manage. The peekaboo placement means the color is low commitment but still makes a difference. This is the kind of look I would recommend to someone who has had their hair the same way for a long time and just wants something to make it feel different.
#30: Graceful Long Layers with Gentle Blonde Peekaboo
This hairstyle is pretty and classy. Longer hair is always nicer and the blonde peekaboo highlights add a nice touch. The layers are nice and smooth. not choppy. The blonde is warm and subtle and gives just enough brightness. The hair looks fresh and not like a lot was done to it. The straight hair shows the healthy shine which is what you want out of long hair. If you are growing out your hair, peekaboo blonde highlights like these are a great way to keep your excitement up about your hair while you wait for it to grow.
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