6 Hair Highlight Trends for Fall 2018

Can you believe it’s time to talk about fall already? Neither can we. But alas, the season of leaves dropping and costume shopping is right around the corner—and with it comes an ideal opportunity to test out a new hair color trend. If you’ve been contemplating highlights, don’t settle for any old light stripes, you’ll want to choose an option that’s en vogue. We’ve rounded up six of the best and brightest hair highlighting trends, and of course we’re spilling all the details below. Plus, we’ve got a quick crash-course in caring for your updated hair hue. Just keep in mind that highlighting involves lightening your hair, so unless you’re already a blonde, you’ll need to bleach your strands. And the darker your base color, the more it may entail to achieve the highlights you’d like.

HAIR HIGHLIGHT TREND #1: SALMON STRANDS

While blonde is certainly a popular pick for highlights (more on that later), there’s no reason you’re limited to a single shade. Spice up your hair by lightening it with a hue that’s more colorful. The shade of the season? None other than salmon. Bet you didn’t think your favorite sushi would be inspiring your next ‘do, but this peachy pink shade is all the rage for a reason. Streak your strands with it for pops of pigment that are totally trendy.

Get the look at home: L’Oréal Paris Colorista Semi-Permanent Hair Color in Peach or the L’Oréal Paris Colorista 1-Day Spray in Rosegold.

HAIR HIGHLIGHT TREND #2: HAIRLINE HIGHLIGHTS

If you’ve already decided highlights aren’t for you, think again. While shimmering highlights placed throughout your mane may not be quite right, almost anyone can benefit from a few face-framing highlights. Focus the lightened locks around your hairline and the delicate highlights will instantly brighten your look.

Get the look at home: L’Oréal Paris Frost & Design

HAIR HIGHLIGHT TREND #3: SOMBRÉ

It’s time to face the facts: Ombré and balayage hair color simply aren’t going out of style anytime soon. And, why would they? They’re low maintenance and they look amazing. Basically, there’s nothing not to like. Still, it’s fair if you’re looking for something slightly different. Rather than eschewing the ombré trend altogether, opt for sombré hair. With equally easy upkeep, the only difference is that sombé hair is subtler than your traditional ombré—hence the name.

Get the look at home: L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Ombré Touch or the L’Oréal Paris Colorista Bleach in Ombre Bleach.

HAIR HIGHLIGHT TREND #4: MIXING HIGHLIGHTS AND LOWLIGHTS

The trick to achieving tresses with lots of depth and definition is to not only highlight your hair but to complement lightened pieces with lowlights. By dyeing thin pieces of hair darker than your base color—that’s what lowlights are—in addition to having highlights, you’ll be left with a beautifully, blended color that’s full of movement. What more could you want?

HAIR HIGHLIGHT TREND #5: BABYLIGHTS ON EVERYONE

Feeling nostalgic for the good hair days of your youth is completely understandable, especially when you start to reminisce about the highlights that you used to receive courtesy of the sun. That’s where babylights come into play. Super-fine highlights are brushed on to mimic the sun-kissed look you used to sport during the summer. Babylights aren’t exactly a new trend (read our article on them, What Are Babylights? How to Do This Popular Highlighting Technique), but there is something different about them for fall. Rather than being strictly for those who want to become baby blonde, they can be added to any base color for a fresh look.

Get the look at home: L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Highlights – C100 Star Lights

HAIR HIGHLIGHT TREND #6: GROWN OUT HIGHLIGHTS

Touching up highlights every 6-8 weeks can be a major pain, no doubt about it—and that’s why we’re all about dye jobs that let us go longer between touch-ups. Our favorite at the moment, grown out highlights, allows you to rock visible roots for as long as you want. Normally, you’d have highlights start right by your roots, but to extend the life of your color, have them begin a few inches below your part. As they grow out, it’ll look intentionally grungy instead of sending you running to a colorist.

Get the look at home: L’Oréal Paris Colorista Bleach Highlights

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF HIGHLIGHTED HAIR

In case you’re new to highlights or merely in need of a refresher, here’s how to take care of your made over mane.

1. Switch to a new system of hair color products. Your regular shampoo and conditioner just won’t do. Opt for a system of products that’s sulfate-free and color safe, consisting of a shampoo, conditioner, and hair mask, like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Repair & Defend Shampoo, L’Oréal Paris Hair EverPure Repair and Defend Conditioner, and L’Oréal Paris Hair EverPure Repair Remedy Balm.

2. Use a shine spray. Highlights are perfectly suited to some serious shine. So, use an oil treatment to add moisture to dry hair.

3. Try air dried styles. Embrace your natural texture and skip out on heat styling. Use a wave spray, like the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle AIR DRY IT Wave Swept Spray, on damp hair for a beautiful, beachy look.

Next, find your best cut for fall in our article, Chop, Chop: These Are the Best Fall Haircuts for Every Face Shape.