Aveda Theory Hair Salon

When it comes to short hair, adding highlights is a fantastic way to bring dimension, vibrancy, and a fresh twist to your style. Whether you rock a pixie, bob, or any other short cut, highlights can accentuate your haircut’s texture and give your look a chic, modern edge. From soft face-framing highlights to bold, contrasting tones, the possibilities are endless.

Popular Highlight Techniques for Short Hair

1. Babylights

Perfect for those who want a subtle, sun-kissed effect, babylights are ultra-fine highlights that mimic the natural, soft lightening you’d get from the sun. These are especially flattering on pixie cuts and short bobs, as they create depth without being too dramatic. Babylights can be blended into your natural hair color for a seamless, low-maintenance finish​.

2. Peek-a-boo Highlights

Want a fun, playful look? Peek-a-boo highlights are applied beneath the top layer of hair, adding pops of color that only show through when your hair moves. This technique is great for those with straight or wavy bobs, giving a bold statement when you flip or tuck your hair. It’s also perfect if you want to experiment with bold colors without fully committing.

3. Two-Tone Highlights

For those wanting a more daring style, two-tone highlights provide a striking contrast between two shades. You can choose a lighter shade on top and a darker one underneath, which works wonderfully for layered short haircuts like asymmetrical bobs or textured pixies. This technique gives dimension and can help showcase the layers and angles of your cut​.

Color Inspiration for Short Hair Highlights

1. Ash Blonde Highlights

An ashy blonde tone adds a cool, modern vibe to short hair, especially if you have a bob or a layered cut. This shade is ideal for anyone with light brown or blonde hair looking to cool down their base color while adding dimension.

2. Copper and Burgundy Highlights

If you want to add warmth and richness to your hair, copper or burgundy highlights can do wonders. These shades bring out the vibrancy in darker hair tones, especially when combined with layers, creating a multidimensional effect. It’s a fabulous option for those with dark brown or black hair​.

3. Bold Pastel or Neon Colors

For the adventurous, pastel or neon highlights—like cotton candy pinks or electric blues—are a fun way to express your personality. These shades can be incorporated in small streaks for a playful pop of color, or you can go all out with larger panels for a bold, eye-catching look.

Final Tips

Before diving into highlights, remember that bleaching is often necessary to achieve lighter or more vibrant tones. This can cause damage, especially to short hair that gets trimmed less often. Choose professional coloring designed for highlights can ensure the best results without over-processing your hair​. Contact one of our professional stylists to give you expert suggestions on the right highlights for you.