Short hair with highlights is any haircut that is neck-length or shorter, with pieces of hair painted with lighter hues against a darker color base. This is surely the most effortless and fun way to spice up a dull hair!
Short Hair Highlights Tips
Sported by fashion icons, Vanessa Hudgens, Katy Perry, and Miley Cyrus, cropped hair with strategically placed highlights is guaranteed to leave a fabulous impression.
What should be on top of your mind when planning to own this hairstyle is your face shape and skin tone. Short locks might be tricky to perfect because it depends on a number of things – your facial features, hair density, and hair type. Matching the highlights with your complexion should be noted as well.
Plus, there are different techniques to do highlights. If you want a natural-looking dimension and longer time in between salon visits, a balayage is the way to go. You can also tweak the intensity of your highlights depending on how much contrast and brightness you want!
What more could you ask for from this super versatile style?! Scroll down below to see the hottest ideas for short hair with highlights!
#1: Tousled Short Bob with Dark Roots
Rock a short bob with dark roots if you want to add some sparkle to your naturally dark hair. If you’d like to try a short bob with highlights, ask your stylist for a full head of thin highlights with a shadow root to keep the grow-out soft and natural. Also when considering this look, talk to your stylist about your expectations on time spent daily on styling and salon maintenance as this look will need to be refreshed about every 6 weeks with a glaze treatment and about every eight to ten weeks for a highlight touch-up.
#2: Short Wavy Hair with Light Brown Highlights
A natural brunette short haircut with highlights creates a blended dimensional color. Having the highlights blended is lower maintenance than the traditional highlights. It’s a style/color for girls who do not want to be in the salon as often. This highlighted short hair is a classic bob that’s perfect for a woman of any age.
#3 Curls Revamped with Pintura Highlights
Embrace the beauty of tight curls with this short bob, enhanced by strategic pintura highlights that catch the light and define your spirals. This method is ideal for those with a thick mane, as it hand-paints brightness exactly where curls pop the most. Bear in mind that the pintura technique is a work of art that requires less frequent touch-ups but commits you to a curl-care routine to maintain the color’s vibrancy and hair’s moisture.
#4: Softly Blunt Cut Short Hair
Consider getting a blunt cut on short hair. The best way to add body if you have a thin hair texture and density is with a blunt bob. If you seek a softer bob, point cutting can be done at the perimeter to remove sharp edges. Graduation, which is a 45-degree angled cut, can be added to make the edges round and create a fuller shape. This method will soften the entire look. Style your hair with a round brush for a bend. In addition, use a flat iron to smooth out the hair shaft and create an under-curve look.
#5 Radiant Blonde Mix on Wavy Lob
This bob has a harmonious of blonde highlights, a mix of cooler and warmer tones that can brighten the complexion. It’s especially flattering for fine to medium hair, giving the illusion of a fuller mane with its cleverly placed lighter streaks that frame the face and enhance the waves. While it lends a lift to the locks, be mindful that maintaining the blend of blonde tones will require regular salon visits to keep the highlights fresh and the color balanced.
#6 Playful Pink Highlights on Wavy Bob
This bob is a true charmer with its pink highlights giving a pop of color to naturally dark hair, creating a playful yet chic vibe. It’s ideal for medium hair with a wave, allowing for easy maintenance of the loose curls. The ombre requires minimal touch-ups compared to full-color, a plus for those with a busy lifestyle. Though stunning, the pink may fade, so a color-protecting regimen is key.
#7 Sunlit Curl Embrace Bob
Embrace the exuberance of natural curls with this curly bob, trimmed to perfection to enhance each ringlet’s spring. The subtle highlights offer a sunlit charm, adding depth and the illusion of texture. It’s a good choice for those with naturally curly, dense hair and shines on round and heart-shaped faces. Maintenance is relatively simple with the right curl-enhancing products, although humidity can be a challenge. For color, a gentle touch-up may be all that’s needed to keep those highlights vibrant.
#8 Fiery Auburn Highlights on Asymmetrical Pixie
This pixie cut is a statement piece, with its deep red hues and auburn highlights that give off a vibrant, fiery look. The asymmetrical style with longer, textured bangs is particularly suitable for thick hair, providing a lightweight feel without losing volume. The highlights accentuate the edgy cut and add dimension.This cut can beautifully complement angular features and works well with cooler skin tones.
#9 Sunkissed Caramel Waves on Textured Bob
If you’re eyeing a fresh, airy look, consider this textured bob with caramel highlights that dance through the layers. Ideal for medium to thick hair, the cut brings out a vivacious wave that works beautifully with natural movement. The darker roots transitioning to lighter ends not only create depth but also allow for more time between color appointments. Though fabulous, remember that this style may require some styling to maintain its tousled grace—think light mousse and a diffuser for that perfect bounce.
#10: Dimensional Brown Short Pixie with Highlights
A naturally brown short pixie cut with blonde highlights offers amazing dimension and contrast. If you have thick hair, ask your stylist for an undercut to lighten it out a bit.
#11: Unique Pink Highlights on Short White Hair
Deviate from your usual highlighted short hair by having bold, pastel color accents on a ghostly white hue.
#12: Modern Short Black Hair with Ash Grey Highlights
There are still a lot of highlighting options on jaw-length hair. Switch it up with some ash grey highlights and big curls for a tasteful take on short hair.
#13: Short Dark Brown Hair with Purple Highlights
Purple highlights in short hair is a gorgeous and edgy hue that isn’t for everyone. Fashion color highlights short hair even more. So if you’re in your teens and 20’s this is a super attention-getting color combo.
#14: Bold Blue Highlights on Short Black Hair
These blue highlights on short dark hair look luminescent. Colorist Jasmin did an amazing job on this neck-length bob.
#15: Chunky Blonde Highlights on Shorter Hair
Adding chunky highlights to short haircuts really showcases the cut and style. So next time you get a short a-line bob cut, consider adding thick streaks of hair to highlight like this one.
#16: Short Brownish Hair with Blonde Highlights
This brunette hair with blonde highlights combo that we are used to never gets old, does it? Perfection truly is timeless.
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