15 Long Hairstyles That Look Amazing with Highlights

1. Beachy Waves with Balayage

This is the quintessential effortlessly chic look. Balayage, a freehand painting technique, creates soft, natural-looking gradients of color that mimic how the sun naturally lightens hair. When paired with long, tousled beach waves, the result is pure, sun-drenched perfection. The highlights catch the light with every movement, adding incredible depth and a lived-in, low-maintenance vibe.

2. Classic Long Layers with Babylights

For a subtle yet stunning enhancement, babylights are your best friend. These are ultra-fine, delicate highlights that are woven throughout the hair, much lighter than traditional highlights. On long, layered hair, babylights create an all-over brightness and a multi-dimensional effect that looks incredibly natural. It’s the perfect way to add luminosity without a stark contrast, ideal for those wanting a refined, polished update.

3. Face-Framing Money Piece on Straight Hair

Sometimes, you don’t need highlights all over to make a major impact. The “money piece” technique focuses on dramatically lightening the front sections of hair that frame your face. On long, sleek, straight hair, this creates a bold, modern contrast that brightens your complexion and draws attention to your features. It’s a high-impact, low-commitment way to experiment with highlights.

4. Bohemian Braids with Peekaboo Highlights

Long hair is made for beautiful braids, and highlights can make them even more intricate. Peekaboo highlights—sections of color placed underneath the top layer of hair—create a magical surprise element. When woven into a fishtail, crown, or simple side braid, these hidden pops of color (think pastel, caramel, or bold fashion shades) add a playful and artistic touch to your bohemian style.

5. Voluminous Curls with Dimensional Foilyage

Foilyage combines the natural look of balayage with the precision and lift of traditional foils. This technique is exceptional for adding maximum dimension to long, curly hair. The result is a blend of highlights that perfectly follow your curl pattern, preventing any solid, stripey look. Each curl becomes a cascade of varying hues, enhancing the texture and creating unbelievable volume and movement.

6. Blunt Cut with Shadow Roots

The long, blunt cut is a statement of sleek sophistication. Pair it with highlights that feature a deliberate shadow root, and you achieve a look that is both edgy and grown-up. The darker root melts into lighter mids and ends, creating a seamless ombré effect that grows out gracefully. This style emphasizes the sharp, healthy line of the cut while the highlights add a modern, rock-chic edge.

7. Old Hollywood Waves with Subtle Highlights

Channel timeless glamour with deep, sculpted Old Hollywood waves. For this polished style, opt for subtle, fine highlights that add shine and reflection rather than obvious streaks. Think sandy or beige tones on a dark blonde base. The highlights will catch the light on the curves of each wave, enhancing the retro shape and adding a luxurious, glossy finish that looks divine up or down.

8. Textured Shag with Chunky Highlights

The modern shag is all about rebellious texture and lived-in cool. Chunky, piecey highlights complement this cut perfectly. These slightly thicker, more defined lightened pieces work with the shag’s heavy layers and fringe to accentuate the choppy texture. The contrast creates a dynamic, eye-catching look that’s full of attitude and effortless style, reminiscent of 70s rock stars.

9. High Ponytail with Ribbon Highlights

Take your high ponytail from simple to stunning with ribbon highlights. This technique involves placing softer, wider bands of color horizontally through the hair. When pulled back into a sleek, high ponytail, these ribbons of light create a mesmerizing, cascading effect down the length of the tail. It’s a sophisticated and athletic look that shows off the color work beautifully.

10. Center-Parted Silk Press with Caramel Balayage

For those with naturally textured hair, a silky press reveals incredible length and shine. Amplify this look with a warm caramel balayage. The smooth, straight style becomes a perfect showcase for the seamless gradient of color, from a deeper root to luscious caramel ends. The highlights add warmth and dimension, making the hair look incredibly healthy, rich, and luxurious.

11. Half-Up, Half-Down with Sombre

Sombre (soft ombre) is a more subtle, blended version of the ombre trend. In a half-up, half-down style, this soft transition from dark to light is displayed perfectly. You can see the color journey from the roots in the updo to the lighter ends flowing down. It’s a romantic, soft, and incredibly flattering look that adds interest to a simple, wearable style.

12. Waterfall Braids with Sun-Kissed Highlights

Waterfall braids are ethereal and delicate. When done on hair with all-over, fine sun-kissed highlights, the braid takes on a woven, almost jeweled appearance. The highlights create the illusion of different strands being woven together, adding complexity and a fairy-tale quality to this beautiful updo or accent braid.

13. Long Pixie Cut (The Grow-Out) with Platinum Highlights

Growing out a pixie cut? This long-pixie or short-shag phase is a fantastic time for highlights. Adding slices of platinum or bright blonde throughout the textured layers can make the grow-out process look intentional and edgy. The highlights add definition to the choppy layers and create a cool, modern, androgynous look full of personality.

14. Mermaid Hair with Pastel Highlights

Unleash your inner fantasy with long, flowing “mermaid hair” accented with pastel highlights. Instead of an all-over pastel dye job, try adding sections of lavender, seafoam green, or rose quartz to a blonde balayage base. The pastel highlights will shimmer through your waves like sea foam, creating a magical, whimsical, and utterly unique color effect that’s perfect for making a statement.

15. Sleek Low Bun with Face-Framing Balayage

The sleek low bun is the epitome of elegant simplicity. To prevent it from looking too severe, pair it with a soft, face-framing balayage. The highlights around the face will soften your features and add a touch of brightness, while the rest of the hair is pulled into a tight, polished bun. This look is perfect for formal events, as it’s chic, professional, and subtly showcases your color.

Choosing the Right Highlights for You

With so many stunning options, the key is to choose a highlight and hairstyle combination that complements your personal style, hair texture, and maintenance level. Consult with a professional colorist who can assess your hair’s condition and help you decide between techniques like balayage (lower maintenance, softer grow-out) or traditional foils (more lift, brighter contrast). Consider your skin tone—warmer highlights like caramel and gold flatter warm complexions, while ash and beige tones suit cooler undertones.

Remember, highlights on long hair are an investment in your look. Protect that investment by using color-safe, sulfate-free shampoos, deep conditioning regularly, and minimizing heat styling to keep your highlighted locks vibrant, healthy, and amazing.