You want to add some flair to your hair, but you’re not sure if you want full or partial highlights. Anyhow, what distinguishes full from partial highlights? We go over each look and how to choose the one that might be best for you (hint: it might be both!). After seeing the most well-known instances of each style below, you’ll quickly be able to distinguish between the two!
What Are Partial Highlights?
The women you see with partial highlights have some color added to their faces to create a framing or brightening effect. They will likely have the majority of their natural color showing through from the back and around the nape of the neck, which is why your stylist might refer to them as a “half head of highlights.”
Your colorist applies partial highlights to the front sides of your hair, the top half of your hair, or the mohawk section of your hair using foils and the color of your choice. Your stylist might advise “lightening the base” so that you can take your highlights a few shades lighter than your natural color because highlights are only touching a portion of your hair.
Partial highlights’ advantages:
- Because it bleaches fewer hair strands, there is less chance of damage.
- They are less expensive than having your entire set of highlights done.
- You can arrange them in any desired location to give the impression that the sun naturally illuminated the frontal parts of your hair.
Limitations of partial highlights:
- When you wear your hair up (in a ponytail, for example), most of the color is hidden.
- Since natural color will always cover at least half of your head of hair, you cannot go “full blonde” or drastically change your color with only partial highlights.
Let’s examine how you can use various techniques and a variety of colors to give your hair a hint of natural-looking color with partial highlights.
1. Golden Beachy Waves
Enhance your waves with partial blonde highlights to achieve a multi-dimensional look. These beachy waves feature highlights concentrated on the top layer, creating depth while leaving the roots and underside darker. Pair this style with a long bob for a perfect combination of elegance and playfulness.
2. Front-Framing Pieces
Experiment with dimensional partial highlights to add a playful touch to your hairstyle. Face-framing pieces brighten the complexion and add intrigue without drastically altering your hair color. This beachy brunette style exudes low-key chicness and effortless style.
3. Soft and Subtle Browns
Introduce subtle touches of color slightly lighter than your natural tone to elevate your look. This sleek hairstyle features partial highlights that subtly peek through at the ends, offering a soft and sophisticated vibe. For those seeking a subtle change, this look is the epitome of understated elegance.
4. Playful and Cool Color
Elevate your short hair with playful partial highlights that frame the face and scatter throughout the top layer. Lightening the base and adding partial highlights can effortlessly transform your overall look. Achieve an all-over hair change with ease and style.
5. Classic and Refined
Brighten up brown hair with bronze and warm blonde hues for a classic and refined aesthetic. Foiled highlights from top to bottom add depth and dimension, while leaving the bottom half brunette maintains a natural look with easy maintenance.
6. Straight and Bronzed
Infuse honey and bronze colors into your brunette locks for a soft and natural enhancement. Partial foil highlights complement straight hair, offering a timeless and sophisticated look. Embrace the warmth and radiance of sun-kissed hair with this classic style.
7. Cool-Toned Balayage
Opt for a balayage technique to achieve partial color that gradually intensifies towards the ends. This “lived-in” look is effortlessly chic and easy to maintain. Paired with toner and playful layers, this cool-toned layered lob is perfect for any season.
8. Natural Tones with Curls
Highlight the mid-shaft of your curls with partial highlights to enhance shine and light-reflection. This style exudes natural sun-kissed vibes, perfect for the summer. Embrace the movement and texture of your curls with this radiant and effortless look.
9. Partial Red Balayage
Add vibrant accents to your hair with hand-painted or partial foil highlights for a pop of color. Experiment with bold hues without compromising the health of your hair. This black lob with auburn peek-a-boo streaks offers a trendy and eye-catching style.
10. Subtle Blonde Highlights
Infuse spirit into your textured long bob with relaxed waves and blonde subtle highlights. These highlights add dimension and reflect light within each wave, creating a dynamic and lively look. Embrace the versatility and charm of this spirited hairstyle.
What Are Full Highlights?
A full head of highlights, or full highlights, are highlights that wrap around the entire head. Your colorist may refer to this as “an epic balayage from brunette to blonde” or as “that woman with multi-dimensions and a range of bronzy-gold colors all over her hair.”
Your colorist does this by highlighting every section of your hair, including the back, sides, front, and nape of the neck. Depending on whether you choose to use foils, the balayage technique, or a combination of partial and full highlights, full highlights can drastically change the color of your hair.
Full highlights’ advantages:
- You don’t have to bleach your hair completely to go from dark to light.
- Depending on how dramatic or natural you want it to look, your stylist can apply as much or as little force as you request.
Drawbacks of all the highlights:
- Compared to receiving partial highlights, it is more costly.
- Even if you get full highlights frequently, it can still harm your hair.
Let’s examine what happens when full highlights are executed flawlessly.
1. Brunette-Blonde Beauty
Achieve the enchanting “bronde” look with a harmonious blend of blonde and brunette tones. This soft blonde long bob is easily attainable with one or two sessions of full highlights, tailored to the thickness of your hair. Opting for cool tones imparts a chic beige hue to the hair, enhancing its allure.
2. Icy Blonde All Over
Transform your locks into a stunning icy blonde masterpiece with delicate baby lights applied throughout. The long length and feminine curls breathe life into the blonde hair, while adding a subtle “root” to the color imbues it with a lived-in vibe, reducing the need for frequent touch-ups.
3. Multi-Dimensional Highlights
Experience breathtaking results with full highlights seamlessly applied from top to bottom. Ideal for sleek, straight hair and perfect for those seeking a timeless look, this style offers dimension and sophistication. Avoid streaky highlights by opting for a dimensional approach, as exemplified here.
4. Full Color Blend
Embrace the versatility of full highlights by incorporating multiple colors into your locks. Whether aiming for a fiery red and blonde fusion or experimenting with other vibrant hues, allow your creativity to shine. Show your colorist inspirational photos to customize your look and infuse vitality into your hair.
5. Chunky Blonde and Red
For a bold and striking transformation, opt for chunky foiled highlights in an array of colors. These chunky highlights offer a salon-fresh look, completely revitalizing your appearance with vibrant hues and dynamic contrast.
6. Auburn Red Warmth
Explore the warmth of red hues with full highlights, creating a soft and manageable look. Transition to a warmer tone without committing to full red hair, achieving a softer and more nuanced appearance. This technique adds depth and dimension to your locks while infusing them with rich, red warmth.
7. Classic All-Over Blonde
Fulfill your dream of becoming a blonde with a gradual approach through multiple rounds of highlights. Achieve an all-over blonde effect without bleaching your entire hair, maintaining even color distribution for a fresh and radiant hairstyle.
8. Brunette to Blonde
Indulge in dreamy tones and perfect bouncy curls with this captivating brunette to blonde transformation. Opt for strategically placed highlights that gradually increase in density towards the ends, evoking a balayage-inspired effect. This style complements long hair beautifully, enhancing its natural vibrancy.
9. Icy Blonde Hair
Achieve the coveted icy blonde hue with meticulous color application. Embrace all-over color for a seamless transition from your natural shade to the cool blonde tones. Rooty pieces and subtle shading around the nape add depth and dimension, enhancing the overall allure of this stunning hairstyle.
10. All Over with Layers
Soft, thin highlights applied all over can imbue both blondes and brunettes with a gentle, luminous glow. Paired with soft bouncy layers, this style exudes elegance and vitality, effortlessly enhancing the hair’s natural texture and shine. Embrace the beauty of understated highlights for a refined and timeless look.
