HIGHLIGHTING AND BALAYAGE IDEAS FOR BLACK HAIR

If you’ve got black hair and you’re considering getting highlights or balayage, you’re in for a stunning transformation. These techniques aren’t just for blondes or brunettes - whether you’re after a subtle look or something more dramatic, some skilled colour work can add dimension, depth, and warmth to black hair.

The key is choosing the right shades and placement to complement your hair and skin tone - whether you have natural black hair, or you’ve dyed your hair black. Here’s our guide to our favourite highlighting looks for dark and black hair, and what to ask your stylist for.

Is it easy to add balayage and highlights to black hair?

Adding lighter colours to black hair isn’t as simple as lightening blonde, brunette or red hair - however, that doesn’t mean it’s not possible with a little bit of patience and professional input.

Your stylist might recommend you take a gradual approach to lightening black hair - so you may not have the exact look you’re after at the end of your first session. To ensure your highlights or balayage look professional and suit your cut and hair colour, you may need multiple sessions with your stylist to end up with the look you want.

We’d strongly advise you against doing your own highlights or balayage on black hair - it’s always best to see what your stylist recommends.

Adding highlights to black hair

Natural or dyed black hair can look incredible with subtle, eye-catching highlights when it’s done professionally. Since black hair is naturally rich and deep, choosing the right highlight shade is crucial to ensure the end result isn’t overly-obvious, and suits your skin tone and primary hair colour.

Caramel and chocolate highlights on black hair

These luxe-looking highlights add warmth and dimension without looking too stark, so they’re perfect for people looking for a gradual introduction to highlights. The caramel tones add a sun-kissed glow, while the gentle chocolate hues offer subtle depth, complementing the natural darkness of your hair.

Ash blonde or platinum highlights on black hair

For those who love an unapologetic, bold contrast, lighter blonde highlights on black hair can create a striking effect that exudes year-round sophistication.

Ash blonde tones introduce a cool, smoky edge, softening the intensity of black hair. Platinum highlights, on the other hand, provide a bold, high-contrast look, adding vibrant brightness that’s got a more dramatic finish.

Auburn, copper and burgundy highlights on black hair

Subtle, warm reddish hues complement black hair beautifully, adding vibrancy - especially during the colder months. Choose one shade to keep things simple, or ask your stylist to mix shades to get a multi-tonal result with dimension and depth.

Auburn’s gentle reddish-brown tones add a subtle warmth, seamlessly blending with black hair to create a rich, natural appearance - pair with copper highlights to infuse bright, metallic hues, creating a striking contrast with a sun-kissed effect.

You can also add burgundy highlights into the mix - these deep red or wine-coloured highlights impart a bold, sophisticated finish with a luxurious sheen.

Adding balayage to black hair

Balayage on black hair can be just as stunning, but it requires careful colour selection. Since black hair is naturally dark, it may take multiple sessions to achieve a lighter balayage without damage. Some popular balayage choices for black hair include:

Honey and bronze balayage on black hair

Warmer tones blend beautifully with black hair for a rich, multidimensional effect that’s especially lovely during the warmer months. Carefully-added honey tones infuse a golden glow, while bronze shades provide a decadent metallic sheen.

Both shades complement each other when used together, but this look can take more than one session at the hairdresser - especially if your hair’s thick, and/or naturally black.

Ash brown and smoky toned balayage on black hair

These lighter, cooler shades create a cool-toned, sophisticated balayage that works really well with natural or heat styled waves.

Incorporating ash brown and smoky-toned balayage into black hair introduces a cool, sophisticated dimension that boosts depth and catches the eye. Ash brown hues blend seamlessly with dark hair, and adding smoky tones balances things out with a modern, muted effect.

Espresso balayage on black hair

For a very natural look, opt for a soft brown espresso balayage just one or two shades lighter than your base colour. Deep, chocolatey, rich and utterly delicious, espresso introduces a rich, dark brown dimension that enhances black hair’s depth and warmth.

This subtle contrast creates a sophisticated, multi-dimensional effect, adding natural-looking highlights that seamlessly blend with your black base.

How to ask for subtle balayage or highlights on black hair

If you’re new to lightening black hair, the first thing to remember is a trusted stylist will always steer you in the right direction, let you know what’s achievable, and keep your desired end result realistic.

For a low-maintenance, natural look, subtle balayage or highlights are a great choice. Here’s what to ask your stylist for if you need ideas for a barely-there change which you can build on later.

• Choose soft, blended shades: Opt for caramel, espresso, or chestnut tones that are only slightly lighter than your natural hair.
• Ask for face-framing highlights: Lightening just a few strands around your face (otherwise known as a money piece) can brighten your complexion without a drastic change.
• Consider using a gloss or toner: A glossing treatment can enhance shine and add a hint of colour without full highlights - especially if your hair’s naturally black.
• Ask for a ‘lived in look’: Keeping your new colour or blended colours close to your natural shade ensures a seamless grow-out phase. You can also ask your stylist for a root smudge to ensure a seamless transition from your natural hair to your new colour.

Caring for black hair after getting balayage or highlights

Once you've gotten balayage or highlights, maintaining the health and vibrancy of lightened black hair is crucial. Here are some key care tips:

• Use colour-protecting products - our PRO Colour Revive range is expertly-formulated to strengthen dyed hair, and protect against your colour fading.
• Use a deep conditioner as often as you need to: Keeping your hair hydrated prevents dryness and breakage, as well as caring for your colour.
• Use a toning shampoo such as purple shampoo to keep cooler highlights at their ashy blonde best.
• Protect black hair when you’re styling and in the sun: Use heat protectants before styling and wear a hat or UV spray to prevent colour fade.