Say Goodbye to Subtle Highlights: These Once-Outdated Streaks Make a Stunning Comeback!

What if we said goodbye to subtlety when it comes to our hair? For this coming season, let’s bet on a trend that’s about to take over. It’s a technique similar to highlights but focuses on broader, more defined streaks that shape the hair. Loved by celebrities and perfect for revitalizing hair after summer, this method captures light with every movement through a play of contrasts. It’s the hair obsession that will be everywhere in the coming months.

Rooted in the 2000s fashion and its iconic chunky highlights (those wide strips of contrasting color), this technique still promises a sophisticated, blended, and elegant finish. Unlike very thin highlights that completely blend into the hair, these more defined strips add texture and depth. “Ribbon highlights are a coloring technique where lighter color ribbons are placed against a darker base,” explains hairstylist Jessica Elwell in the media outlet Who What Wear. “Instead of many thin streaks that blend into the hair and disappear, this look aims to create bolder, more defined sections that add contrast, movement, and dimension.” They create an effect of light “ribbons” streaming through the hair, hence the name “ribbon highlights.”

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To wear these highlights without too stark a contrast, it’s crucial to follow a few guidelines: for straight hair, it's advised to opt for a cut that adds movement to the hair. A slight layering or some waves can soften the appearance: the shades merge seamlessly without harsh lines, making it seem as if light is subtly passing through the mane.

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The placement of the highlights is also critical: instead of applying them throughout, the colorist targets broader sections at key locations, such as around the face and areas that naturally catch the light. This precise approach avoids overloading the hair and maintains the depth of the base color while adding real definition. This extends the sun-kissed effect of summer into the fall.