25 Best Partial Highlights to Transform Your Hair

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Written by Rachel Miller

Updated: August 6, 2024

I heard you were thinking about sprucing up your look with some color. That’s great! Yet, I also heard you’re a little nervous about switching up your aesthetic and trying something new. No problem, gal pal – I’ve been there a million times. What it sounds like to me is that you need partial highlights.

Partial highlights are a tamer approach compared to other highlighting techniques. It allows you to add color to your mane without going overboard, which means you won’t freak out when the stylist spins the salon chair around.

Sound like a good idea? Yeah, I thought so. Now, all you need to do is select the perfect color for your partial highlights – and this article will help. These 25 styles will transform your hair in the best way.

#1. Cherry Red Swirls

Cherry Red Swirls

Cherry red is one of the most bright and seductive colors out there, idyllically pairing whimsy with allure. While it can be graced on any base, it looks particularly well on darker bases, ensuring a dazzling finish with an err of mystery.

#2. Midnight Blue Accents

Midnight Blue Accents

Not a fan of red hair? Don’t worry – your dark base can also look sensational with midnight blue accents. This pairing takes on a more otherworldly approach that’s suitable for the mystic women of the world.

#3. Soft Lavender Streaks

Soft Lavender Streaks

On the other side of the spectrum, we have soft lavender streaks. Lavender is known for being precious and dainty, making it the go-to for ladies who want to add a feminine touch to their look. This pairing is ideal for spring!

#4. Icy White Tips

Icy White Tips

If you want to lighten up your locks ever so slightly, I’ve got the perfect solution: icy white tips. This little boost of brightness will instantly revitalize your darker base, giving you an exciting and summer-friendly finish.

#5. Rose Gold Touches

Rose Gold Touches

With rose gold reaching peak popularity this year, it’s easy to see why everyone is throwing the shade into their aesthetic. Keep things cute and subtle by adding rose gold touches to your brown hair. It’s trendy, gorgeous, and warm.

#6. Vibrant Turquoise Highlights

Vibrant Turquoise Highlights

Yes, mermaid hair is all the rage, but it’s too intense and colorful for many. Instead, inch your way into the mermaid hair scene with these vibrant turquoise highlights. The splash of color will give you an enchanting finish suitable for any lady of the sea. 

#7. Warm Auburn Flashes

Warm Auburn Flashes

Want a way to add natural-looking color to your brunette tresses? Warm auburn flashes, babe! Auburn will lighten up your brown base for a “sun-kissed” aesthetic that’s downright beauteous, especially when designed into lovely waves.

#8. Electric Green Edges

Electric Green Edges

If your idea of partial highlights is bold and futuristic, you need electric green edges in your life. Yes, this color is head-turning and thrilling, but that’s the goal, right? Make sure to use color-boosting products to keep your electric green shade “alive.”

#9. Deep Burgundy Hues

Deep Burgundy Hues

There is something so majestic about the color burgundy. Why wouldn’t you want it in your hair? Sprinkling this wine-colored shade throughout your jet-black strands is an excellent way to add depth in the most luxurious way possible.

#10. Platinum Strands

Platinum Strands

Craving contrast? Honey, if you want to stand out from the crowd because of your modern and ultra-contrasting locks, look no further than this platinum and black combo. The blend creates an almost metallic-like finish that’s designed to turn heads.

#11. Coral Reef Blends

Coral Reef Blends

Need to get summer-ready and fast? Don’t want to go with “traditional” summer picks like blonde? No worries! You can leave your base the same and add coral to your ends instead. You’ll love the meddling of pink and peach hues!

#12. Slate Gray Overtones

Slate Gray Overtones

If platinum blonde is too contrasting, but you still want to enjoy impeccable distinction in your hair, consider slate gray instead. Slate gray and black have a cool and contemporary vibe that’s still plenty jaw-dropping.

#13. Sun-Kissed Golden Glints

Sun Kissed Golden Glints

Taking your brunette hair from “drab” to “radiant” doesn’t have to be complicated! In fact, it’s quite simple. Just ask your stylist for some sun-kissed golden glints in your mane and enjoy a glistening, glowing, and golden finish.

#14. Fiery Orange Peaks

Fiery Orange Peaks

For the women out there with fiery personalities, it’s time to bring out the passion in your hair! While you could settle for regular reds, this fiery orange shade is an even better and sassier solution.

#15. Teal Blue Waves

Teal Blue Waves

Teal blue on a jet-black base? Does it get any more thrilling than this? We certainly don’t think so! This blend is downright majestic, especially when fashioned into tight waves such as these. It’s the ideal blend of fun and elegant.

#16. Espresso Brown Splashes

Espresso Brown Splashes

If you’re getting tired of your brown tresses being one-noted but you don’t want to change your look too much, a few splashes of espresso brown is the answer. This addition is subtle but adds glorious dimension.

#17. Metallic Silver Linings

Metallic Silver Linings

When it comes to space-age hairstyles, this look is on the cover of the magazine. Stringing metallic silver lines through your black tresses is the quickest way to obtain a futuristic and contemporary vibe.

#18. Peachy Pink Flickers

Peachy Pink Flickers

A little bit of pink never hurt anyone, right!? Ladies, if you’re a pink fanatic like the rest of us, opt for peachy pink flickers in your mane. A few pieces are all it takes to instantly give your look a flirty and feminine makeover!

#19. Ruby Red Glimmers

Ruby Red Glimmers

Ruby red is undeniably one of the most luxurious colors, making it an instant hit for anyone seeking partial highlights that retain an air of elegance and refinement. This jewel-toned shade works particularly well with darker bases, like brown and black.

#20. Sapphire Blue Echoes

Sapphire Blue Echoes

Want to indulge in a regal, gem-toned shade but aren’t a fan of red? Don’t fret – there’s another option: sapphire blue. Known for its unmatched beauty and elegance, this seductive shade perfectly matches darker bases.

#21. Emerald Green Twists

Emerald Green Twists

OK, wait—we’re not done with the elegant, jewel-toned shades yet! We have one more to intrigue you with: emerald green. Emerald green is another shade known for its endless beauty and opulence, making it a popular choice for partial highlights.

#22. Soft Chestnut Ribbons

Soft Chestnut Ribbons

Adding chestnut ribbons to your brown hair may be a more subtle approach to partial highlights, but they have a big impact on your aesthetic. The pop of chestnut will add a luxurious depth to your mane while looking 100% natural.

#23. Bold Magenta Strokes

Bold Magenta Strokes

Want to stand out? I’ve got you covered. Bold magenta strewn throughout your hair is a surefire way to grab the attention of the entire crowd. It’s a bold and vivid shade that can easily be intertwined into any number of hair colors, including blonde or brown.

#24. Ocean Blue Depths

Ocean Blue Depths

Mermaid hair doesn’t have to be pastel and bright. You can enjoy a more laidback and refined mermaid transformation by choosing ocean-blue depths instead. It provides a deep-sea-like aesthetic that’s mysterious and captivating.

#25. Goldenrod Yellow Specks

Goldenrod Yellow Specks

Follow the yellow brick road? No, thanks. We prefer to add goldenrod yellow specks to our hair instead. This ultra-bright, in-your-face yellow color is anything but subtle, making it an eye-catching choice for the summer season.


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