While people getting excited and confused over chunky highlights is fun and entertaining, the reality is chunky highlights are coming back for a reason people don’t get and most styles lack, which is the instant extreme contrast and definition from afar. I have a client who has been doing highlight styles for over a decade and never had the confidence to go chunky until, she finally got a set of chunky highlights and all of a sudden she had the confidence to sit up straighter. Definately something a root smudge has never done.
When done right, chunky highlights can completely transform the vibe of a haircut you’ve been sporting for years without altering the length or shape. 25 of the more flattering chunky highlight creations are featured here, and I quite literally have a take on each and every one.
#1: Long Layered Haircut with Chunky Highlights
Chunky highlights are a popular request, and when people begin to hesitate about the look, this is the example I show because it seems to really hit the sweet spot. With the right layering, the highlights are placed just right to be reflective and illuminating, rather than look like a streaky mess. For finer hair types, this serves as a great blueprint because it creates the illusion of more hair without having to add too much product throughout. A little smoothing serum and you’re good to go.
#2: Beachy Layered Hair with Chunky Highlights
I really like this one because the roots being left alone makes it look nice and lived-in. It avoids that panic grow out look that makes people book emergency appointments. The waves look nice and effortless but I’m guessing they took a big barrel iron and about 12 minutes, which is a great amount of time for the effort that goes into it. The foils also look nice because they’re wide enough to look intentional but not too wide to look like 2003 foil placements, which is harder to balance than people think.
#3: Radiant Long Layered Hair with Bold Chunky Highlights
This person has ridiculously good hair, and I mean that in a complimentary way. The highlights definitely add to the healthiness of the hair; chunky color on damaged hair is not a good look. If you’re going to be that bold with the color, you have to be ready for the true comments about the condition of the hair. The subtle layers allow the highlights to take center stage, and that’s exactly how it should be. Less is more, and in this case, it’s all about the color.
#4: Textured Long Waves with Bold Chunky Highlights
If you style your hair in waves, the highlights would be even more interesting than if you had straight hair, and that really says something! Also, having a dark base color contrasts beautifully with the highlights. It’s difficult to achieve that kind of dimension with just color. If you want to make this look last longer, ask your colorist about lowlights. It’ll make the grow-out a lot less noticeable.
#5: Bold Copper and Blonde Stacked Lob with Face-Framing Layers
I really love a stacked lob, and adding some copper and blonde chunks makes it so much more exciting. I won’t pretend that this is an easy colour to upkeep because copper is one of the fastest fading colours, so you’ll be needing colour depositing shampoo, or regular toner appointments. The end result is a really warm and ‘movey’ look. And I genuinely mean it when I say that you will get stopped in the grocery store. The stacked back gives it extra crown volume and completes the shape.
#6 Bold Chocolate and Platinum Waves with Chunky Highlights
The chocolate and platinum colors are a hit or miss. With these two tones, it looks great. Pulling off this look requires a lot of hair to make it softer, and this person definitely has that. The waves help a lot, and I think that’s what makes the big contrast highlights look more like a hair-do and less like a costume. If your hair tends to lay flat, this specific version is probably not your best bet, but something with the same color idea could work with a different placement.
#7: Striking Black and Pastel Chunky Highlights
I admire the boldness in this person’s choice. It’s obvious they walked into the hair salon with a plan. It takes some serious bravery to request a blunt bob on purpose. From a coloring perspective, the color work will look pretty good since there are no layers to distract from the sharpness of the pastels and black. Pastel on dark hair will require some major bleaching and maintenance will be a bit more than casual. If you’re after some salon commitment, then this is excellent color work to go for.
#8: Bold Blue and Cream Chunky Highlights with Soft Waves
People ask me about blue highlights all the time and I have to explain that this is a big process, and that it is a huge commitment. Of course, when someone goes through with it, it looks AMAZING! The blend of creamy blonde with blue highlights is the perfect combination. It’s not one-note and looks more high-end than it is. I love the soft waves because it makes the look more editorial. I think it is smart to keep it soft and natural. If your hair is wavy, you could even air-dry it, and you would look put together.
#9: Modern Layered Hair with Bold Chunky Highlights
I really appreciate the placement because the highlights are arranged to catch the most light which means you are getting the most bang for your buck with the least amount of foils, which again, you are not getting shorted, your colorist gets it. The layers have enough movement so the chunks don’t sit in static stripes, they shift and reveal, and that’s what separates a great chunky highlight from a mediocre one. Thicker hair types will love this because the density holds the contrast really well.
#10: Chic Long Layered Hair with Bold Chunky Highlights
I’m really liking the warm brown tones and the blonde face frame highlights. They’re doing something very clever. They’re drawing the light and attention upwards toward the eyes. I do this all the time with clients who want highlights but are scared to go full head because it offers the most visible change for the least amount of effort when the lightness is focused around the face. The deeper tones towards the ends of the hair create balance and stop it from being too blonde. Very strategic and I love it.
#11: Stylish Long Layers with Bold Chunky Highlights
The colorist surely put in work in balancing so many tones in chunky highlights and keeping it from muddying up the look. The waves in the mid-lengths allow each section of the highlights to shine, and the face-framing pieces are lighter than the rest, which helps your eyes move up and down. With hair that looks this fine, chunky highlights can actually work in your favor since they create the illusion of more hair. Just ensure your colorist knows the difference between chunky and thick. They are not the same, and the wrong end of the stick won’t be good.
#12: Vibrant Long Layers with Bold Blue Highlights
The hint of blue in the dark hair is like an assembled bookshelf. The blue works best when it is hiding under the layers rather than standing out like a sore thumb. The blue will cool down the warm undertones in the skin, which is a reason to appreciate the color. If you decide to go for blue, it will be a massive headache as it will fade so quickly. You will be made to go switch to sulfate-free shampoo and wash your hair with cold water to keep it blue, so be ready for that.
#13: Elegant Long Layers with Bold Chunky Highlights
The volume is incredible – especially with the highlights that reflect light at different depths in the hair, which only real thickness can produce. Honestly I want to put my phone down and appreciate this look because those highlights are incredible. The sizeable chunks warm enough to not feel aggressive mean that this is going to be nice and soft. This will look amazing on anyone with golden or olive undertones. This is the kind of highlight work that will make strangers ask you where you get your hair done.
#14: Edgy Long Layers with Bold Red and Blonde Chunky Highlights
I love the mix of red and blonde. It’s not for someone who wants to blend in, that’s for sure. The dark base of the color gives it a clean and finished look instead of a more messy and cluttered appearance. The shine of the colors makes the combination really pop, especially considering how much maintenance there is going to be. It isn’t going to be an easy color combination to maintain, but it’s clear that anyone going for this look is likely willing to put in the effort.
#15: Chic Dark Brown Hair with Bold Light Blonde Chunky Highlights
When most people think of the term, this is the typical dark to light chunky highlight that comes to most people’s minds, and for real, the classics are classics for a reason. What I particularly like about this one is the blonde is super light and the brown is super dark, so you get that full, dramatic range, rather than playing it safe with something more muted in the middle. On finer hair like this, those light pieces will create that brightness that makes it look like you’ve just come back from somewhere sunny. It’s giving I just got back from an expensive vacation, without the actual flight, and I think that’s a solid return from a highlight appointment.
#16: Vibrant Red and Blonde Layered Hair with Bold Highlights
The color combination is awesome. I love the soft bangs. Very chill big sister 90s movie. Not a bad thing. The red base being warm and rich makes the blonde highlights look like a better add. The layering keeps no single color too dominant. This is a minimum two process job and your colorist better know what they’re doing on the red. There are bad reds and good reds, not much middle ground. This is great. It’s magnetic.
#17: Dynamic Curly Hair with Bold Chunky Highlights
Textured curls and chunky highlights change the game completely. They break up color in such an unpredictable and stunning way. I really wish more people knew this. Each and every single curl takes a piece of the highlight at different angles and different distances which makes it visually interesting and really dynamic from every angle. The combination of warm and cool tones from contrasting highlights and in the curls give the illusion that the highlights are hand painted in that individual piece even though we know they are foiled. If you have natural curls and are wondering if chunky highlights would work, they so do, probably even better than on straight hair.
#18: Dynamic Copper and Cream Chunky Highlights with Long Layers
I have always been a great supporter of the copper and cream combination for my chairs because it is beautiful on so many people. But it’s rarely requested by name. The copper adds warmth without being as high-maintenance as a full red. The cream makes the overall look softer so it is easier on the eyes and less overwhelming. On finer hair like this, the color gives an airy quality that thicker hair just doesn’t achieve as much. So if someone told you your hair is “too fine” for a bold color, show them this and say I sent you. Regular toning conditioner will help keep the cream from going brassy before your next appointment.
#19: Vibrant Long Layers with Bold Chunky Highlights
The bangs are an interesting addition to this look. They give the warm, chunky highlights a literal frame, and without them, I feel like it would be a completely different hairstyle. The length of the layers is also ideal, so they aren’t going to chop the color up into confetti, but rather let it flow and shift as the hair moves. I’d say that for someone who wants to feel like a different person but wants to be able to walk back from it in a few months, this is the version of chunky highlights I’d recommend. It’s a bold choice which is always smart, and I love that combination in a client and in a haircut.
#20: Bold Black and Burgundy Layered Hair with Chunky Highlights
It’s fun to watch people react to the combination of black and burgundy hair in person for the first time since most people tend to think of goth when describing the combination. It’s not just a typical color combination; there is sophistication to it. The burgundy color is rich when contrasted with the black, but it doesn’t photograph well. The color actually shifts between purple and red. The straight hair color blocking looks really nice because it allows each section to stand out. I often get asked for recommendations when someone likes very dark hair and wants to do something with it but doesn’t want to go lighter. This is the exact look I would recommend.
#21: Modern Sleek Long Hair with Bold Chunky Highlights
With an unapologetically thick, sleek, and straight finish, this style is as simple as it gets when it comes to effort. But as the saying goes, that’s the goal! This look is an undeniable attraction, so only the best highlights will do. Not just any highlights will do, as finesse of application is equally necessary to achieve the sharp look of contrast between the highlights and base. If you flat iron your hair on the regular, getting this look will be a breeze between color appointments.
#22: Bold Black and Fiery Red Wavy Layers
I can honestly say that I will never dissuade a client from getting fiery red highlights, and really, I do not think I should have to. When it works, it really works. When it works, it really works. The flowing, thick waves really heat up the red and throw it off, and the black underneath is dramatic. This is a look you have to absoultely embrace. Any hesitation when wearing it, and it simply will not hit the same. The natural luster in the dark sections makes the red appear even more electric, and that’s what makes this look so much better than just “red highlights.”
#23: Modern Long Layers with Bold Silver and Black Highlights
The mix of silver and black hair is so striking, I can’t understand why it isn’t more popular. Then I recall that true silver hair is really difficult to achieve. It takes a lot of bleaching and great toning that not all colorists can do. But when it is done well, it has such a stunning effect that is modern, and futuristic, and could be straight from a high fashion editorial, but is still super wearable. The long layers in the hair allow the black and silver pieces to sort of move independently, creating a really beautiful illuminated effect. To prevent the hair from looking brassy, use a silver toner drop in your conditioner.
#24: Rich Brown Waves with Bold Chunky Highlights
Here’s what I would show a client saying, ‘I want chunky highlights but still want to look like myself.’ The brown base is warm and inviting, while the blonde pieces add enough flair to feel like a real transformation. The waves show the placement of highlights beautifully. I would even go as far to say that wavy hair is a highlight’s perfect companion. This creates a touchable look with fullness and density, which is always a sign of color and cut working together and not against each other.
#25: Dynamic Black and Burgundy Chunky Highlights with Textured Layers
Check out yet another style featuring the black and burgundy combination. I apologize for nothing when it comes to my love for these colors. My favorite part is the different lengths and textures to the different layers. It breaks up the burgundy into confetti segments, and I am a fan of that confetti look in the hair. This style is perfect if you have fine hair and want to try something a bit more out there without adding any more length. It beats having to put effort into working towards a more classic long hair look that your hair isn’t going to support. The color combined with the layers helps create the appearance of more hair. It’s a win all around.
#26: Bold Multi-Tonal Layered Hair with Pink and Black Highlights
Pink highlights are a common topic of conversation among my clients, and I know they often want to do it, but it seems like I always have to encourage them to actually make the appointment. This is what I mean with my clients. The soft pink highlights and the dark brown hair with a little bit of blonde weft is an incredible look. This is the exact line a lot of other customers wish to reach. I think the soft waves would really complete this look. The multi-tonal colouration means that as your hair grows, you won’t have that obvious, outgrown look that so many people end up with when they choose a fashion colour. If you’ve been dreaming of pink highlights for a long time, book that appointment because I think it’s time.
Enter your email and get this picture and description straight to your inbox, and you'll also get new hair ideas ❤️
🔒 We don't spam or sell emails. See our Privacy Policy.