Blonde highlight ideas for some dreamy glow and dimension

But not everyone wants some barely-there blonde highlights. Celebrity hairdresser Jay Birmingham, who works with the likes of Khloe Kardashian and Maya Jama told GLAMOUR, “With the rise in demand of ‘90s blonde, we are seeing an increase in really light blondes with a bleached finish."

And, the ’90s wave has brought back chunky, or semi-chunky high-contrast highlights. Whether you like it subtle or statement, we love the modern take on the throwback colour.

As well as this, warmer toned blondes are everywhere just now. "Think honey blondes with a natural, sunkissed feel,” says Jay.

So, what are blonde highlights and how are they done?

Blonde highlights have actually been around for a lot longer than you think, for centuries women have used different ways to lighten their hair – from squeezing lemon juice all over to rubbing in honey.

Today, there are more advanced ways to lighten hair using hair dyes and bleaches, as well as a variety of different methods to apply this colour (but we’ll come to that later).

The first proper highlighting technique was developed in the '60s, where clients wore a rubber caps with holes on. Locks of hair were pulled through using a hook (which looks pretty terrifying, but apparently never hurt) and isolated for bleaching.

The '80s saw the introduction of the popular foiling method, where slices of hair were painted with colour and folded up into little strips of foil. The painting of the hair is still the most popular technique today, where stylists mix together different two or more different shades of colour to create the most natural-looking blonde highlights.

According to Pattara, "With the use of different lightening products and gloss, I am able to add dimension and texture creating a ‘lived-in’ colour. This multi-tonal technique makes even the finest of hair look full and volumised. It's a simple way to create low-maintenance hairstyles, even on the worst of bad hair days you will still look effortlessly chic."

What are the different types of blonde highlights and colour techniques?

Full head of highlights
Pretty much what it says on the tin, where colour is applied to sections across your entire head.

Half head of highlights
This is normally spread over the crown and side, and usually the top layer of hair. A half-head is usually recommended for those with shorter or finer hair.

Babylights
Babylights are when superfine strands of hair are coloured. It’s a technique that makes the hair appear multi-dimensional because of the gentle wisps of colour that are so micro, they’ll have everyone thinking you were born with it. No need to tell them otherwise.

Balayage
Balayage is when colour that is painted on with a brush and paddle board to create natural, sun-kissed looking highs and lows - giving the hair beautiful dimension.

Root stretch
Pattara offers this treatment at Salon64 which promises to 'transform Nineties highlights to a seamless natural look by adding a fake root and melting it into multiple blonde, brunette and even bronde tones so the colour ‘just happens’ almost as if you are using a blending brush to blur a smokey eye.'

Bronde
The clue’s in the name - it’s the perfect merge of blonde and brunette shades, ideal for dark-haired clients wanting to go lighter.

Ecaille
This is French for tortoiseshell, so think more caramel, golden blonde highlight application where lighter colours are mixed with darker shades of honey, amber, and chocolate brown.

What type of blonde highlights should I get and how do I know if highlights will suit me?

“Trust your colourists advice,” says Birmingham. Adding: “During the consultation they will consider your skin tone, complexion, eye colour, natural hair colour and more – this will help them advise you on what will be best for you! I always advise going only a few shades lighter than your natural colour for a seamless finish – this will also help with your roots when the begin to grow," Birmingham says.

What should I do or ask before getting blonde highlights?

“It is important to consider the maintenance required for blondes before taking the plunge with highlights,” warns Birmingham. “You will need to visit the salon regularly. There is always the option of adding lighter pieces to your hair using extensions instead of adding colour. I love to create custom colour blends with extensions to lighten the hair and add depth and dimension without compromising the condition of the hair with the use of colour," says Birmingham.

Can you do blonde highlights at home?

There’s a reason why there are colour specialists in salons, they’ve been expertly trained in mixing shades and tones together and they’re a dab hand at applying them using the most up-to-date techniques. We recommend always choosing to have your blonde highlights done in a salon. There are ways you can prolong your colour at home by making sure you use special silver and purple shampoos and conditioners as well as regular leave-in hair masks and treatments and blonde toners.

How do I look after them?

“Blonde highlighted hair needs lots of TLC. It tends to be dry and damaged from the lightening process and can feel dehydrated if not taken care of properly,” says Birmingham. “ It’s important to focus on scalp care each week to ensure hair grows healthy. Apply a nourishing hair mask once per week to help hydrate the ends of the hair is a must for all blondes, as is using the correct shampoo and conditioner. I recently launched my own Jay B Haircare Shampoo and Conditioner that work for all hair types. They are extremely hydrating and contain both Macadamia Oil and Avocado Oil to restore and strengthen hair – perfect for blondes,” adds Birmingham.

Keep scrolling for the blonde highlight looks you're going to want to show your colourist at your next appointment...