Short dark hair highlights are a popular hair coloring technique that involves adding lighter streaks to darker hair, creating a subtle and sophisticated look. These highlights can range from natural-looking balayage to more dramatic contrasting colors, and can be customized to suit any hair length or texture.
Adding short dark hair highlights to your locks can bring several benefits. They can help to add dimension and depth to your hair, making it appear thicker and fuller. Highlights can also help to frame your face and accentuate your features, creating a more flattering and youthful appearance. Additionally, short dark hair highlights can be a great way to experiment with color without having to commit to a full head of highlights or a drastic hair color change.
If you’re considering getting short dark hair highlights, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, it’s important to consult with a professional hairstylist to discuss your desired look and ensure that highlights are the right choice for your hair type and texture. They can also help you choose the perfect shade of highlights to complement your skin tone and overall style. Once you’ve decided to go for it, be sure to follow your hairstylist’s instructions for aftercare to keep your highlights looking their best.
1. Color
The color of your short dark hair highlights is an important decision, as it will affect the overall look and feel of your hair. If you’re not sure what color to choose, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Your skin tone: Certain hair colors can complement your skin tone better than others. For example, if you have fair skin, you may want to choose a lighter shade of highlights, such as blonde or caramel. If you have darker skin, you may want to choose a darker shade of highlights, such as chocolate brown or burgundy.
- Your overall style: The color of your highlights should also complement your overall style. If you have a more classic style, you may want to choose a more natural-looking shade of highlights. If you have a more edgy style, you may want to choose a more vibrant shade of highlights.
- Your hair texture: The texture of your hair can also affect the color of your highlights. For example, if you have fine hair, you may want to choose a lighter shade of highlights to avoid weighing your hair down. If you have thick hair, you may want to choose a darker shade of highlights to add more depth and dimension to your hair.
Once you’ve considered all of these factors, you can start to narrow down your choices. If you’re still not sure what color to choose, be sure to consult with a professional hairstylist. They can help you choose the perfect shade of highlights for your individual needs.
2. Placement
The placement of your short dark hair highlights is an important decision, as it will affect the overall look and feel of your hair. There are many different placement options to choose from, each with its own unique benefits and drawbacks. Here are a few of the most popular placement options:
- Face-framing highlights: Face-framing highlights are placed around the face to frame and brighten the complexion. This is a great option for people who want to add some subtle brightness to their hair without going for a full head of highlights.
- Root smudge: A root smudge is a technique where the highlights are blended into the roots of the hair. This creates a more natural look, and is a great option for people who want to avoid a harsh line of demarcation between their natural hair color and their highlights.
- Balayage: Balayage is a freehand highlighting technique that creates a natural, sun-kissed look. The highlights are painted onto the hair in a sweeping motion, and are typically placed throughout the mid-lengths and ends of the hair.
- Ombre: Ombre is a highlighting technique that creates a gradual transition from one hair color to another. The highlights are typically placed at the ends of the hair, and can be any color you like.
Ultimately, the best placement for your short dark hair highlights will depend on your individual style and preferences. Be sure to consult with your hairstylist to discuss your options and find the perfect placement for you.
3. Width
The width of your short dark hair highlights is an important decision, as it will affect the overall look and feel of your hair. Thin highlights can add a subtle touch of brightness to your hair, while thick highlights can create a more dramatic look. The width of your highlights will also affect how often you need to get them touched up.
If you’re not sure what width to choose, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Your hair texture: The width of your highlights should complement your hair texture. If you have fine hair, you may want to choose thinner highlights to avoid weighing your hair down. If you have thick hair, you can choose thicker highlights to add more depth and dimension to your hair.
- Your desired look: The width of your highlights will also depend on the look you’re trying to achieve. If you want a natural look, you may want to choose thinner highlights. If you want a more dramatic look, you may want to choose thicker highlights.
- Your lifestyle: The width of your highlights will also affect how often you need to get them touched up. Thinner highlights will require more frequent touch-ups than thicker highlights.
Once you’ve considered all of these factors, you can start to narrow down your choices. If you’re still not sure what width to choose, be sure to consult with a professional hairstylist. They can help you choose the perfect width of highlights for your individual needs.
4. Maintenance
Maintaining short dark hair highlights is essential to keep them looking their best. This includes getting your roots touched up every 4-6 weeks, and using a color-safe shampoo and conditioner.
- Getting your roots touched up: As your hair grows, your natural hair color will start to show at the roots. To keep your highlights looking fresh, it’s important to get your roots touched up every 4-6 weeks. This will help to prevent a harsh line of demarcation between your natural hair color and your highlights.
- Using a color-safe shampoo and conditioner: Color-safe shampoos and conditioners are formulated to protect your hair color from fading. They are also gentler on your hair than regular shampoos and conditioners, which can strip away your hair color.
By following these maintenance tips, you can keep your short dark hair highlights looking their best for longer.
Conclusion
Short dark hair highlights are a versatile and stylish way to add dimension and interest to your hair. They can be customized to suit any hair length or texture, and can be as subtle or dramatic as you like. Whether you’re looking for a natural look or a more vibrant style, short dark hair highlights are a great way to achieve the look you want.
To keep your short dark hair highlights looking their best, it’s important to get your roots touched up every 4-6 weeks and use a color-safe shampoo and conditioner. By following these simple tips, you can enjoy your highlights for longer and keep your hair looking healthy and beautiful.
