Black Hair Highlight Ideas That Will Make You Want to Change Up Your Look ASAP

Black hair is incredibly alluring and can make you stand out in a crowd — just look at raven-haired celebrities like Becky G, Demi Lovato, Rihanna, Lana Condor, Ciara, and Megan Fox, just to name a few. But it's a common misconception that you have to be a blond or brunette to have fun with your hair color. In reality, there are ample opportunities to experiment with your color if you have ultra-dark hair, especially by adding highlights on black hair.

Understandably, people with black hair can feel a bit left out of the conversation when it comes to the latest hair trends, especially when many of the predictions focus on sand, toffee, caramel, and mocha hues. Highlights, lowlights, and balayage can add dimension and depth to your dark hair, but it's always helpful to research examples before heading to the salon.

The great thing about black hair with highlights is that you can completely customize the look to suit your needs. Whether you mix in tones of brown, white, dirty blond, red, or even purple, go subtle or spring for something bold, you'll feel like a whole new person with these black hair highlights ideas.

To get inspiration for your next big hair color change, we rounded up examples of highlights for black hair ahead.

Black Hair With Caramel Highlights

If you're just getting into lightening your hair, we love black hair with highlights that are subtle, like this example with caramel hues.

Black Hair With White Highlights

Highlights on black hair, like this example with white streaks, can add dimension to an otherwise dull look.

Black Hair With Chestnut Brown Highlights

If you don't want to add highlights throughout your entire head, one option for highlights on black hair is just to add pops of color throughout the front.

Black Hair With Blond Highlights

One of the most popular black hair highlight options is adding blond highlights. You can add color all over for a bold look or subtle pieces throughout.

Black Hair With Red Highlights

If you want to go bold, we love red highlights on black hair. You can even add some ombré to tip the ends in orange if you're feeling extra spicy.

Black Hair With Subtle Blond Highlights

If going bold isn't your thing, subtle blond highlights on black hair might be the way to go. They'll add dimension and movement to your look without a stark contrast from your natural shade.

Black Hair With Reddish-Purple Highlights

Although we love bright, bold hues, faded reddish-purple highlights on black hair will give you a pop of color without being too overpowering.

Black Hair With Brown Highlights

One of the most subtle options for highights on black hair is adding in brown hues, especially if you go with a darker brown. The color will look natural and sun-kissed.


Jessica Harrington is the senior beauty editor at POPSUGAR, where she writes about hair, makeup, skin care, piercings, tattoos, and more. As a New York City-based writer and editor with a degree in journalism and over eight years of industry experience, she loves to interview industry experts, keep up with the latest trends, and test new products.