Blended Highlights 2025: The Hottest Hair Trends to Watch 21 Ideas

Blended highlights are making a huge comeback in 2025, offering a seamless and sophisticated way to add depth and dimension to your hair. Whether you’re looking to embrace natural shades or experiment with striking contrasts, blended highlights can transform your look in a subtle yet impactful way. Wondering how to get that perfect mix of highlights for your hair type? Look no further! We’re diving into some of the trendiest blended highlight styles that will dominate this year. From soft, understated lowlights to bold, chunky blends, these styles will help you stay on top of the latest hair trends.

Effortless Soft Waves with Sun-Kissed Highlights

This hairstyle features long, loose waves with subtle blonde highlights that melt into soft brown hair. The waves are styled to create movement and texture while keeping the overall look natural. The blended highlights here offer a sun-kissed finish that adds dimension without appearing too bold or drastic, perfect for those who want to embrace a relaxed yet polished appearance.

This style is ideal for those with medium to long hair who prefer a low-maintenance look. The sun-kissed highlights work well for brunette or light brown hair, enhancing natural hair trends. It may not suit individuals who prefer a more dramatic color contrast or shorter lengths.

To maintain the vibrancy of these highlights, use a sulfate-free shampoo and a nourishing hair mask weekly. Moroccanoil’s Color Complete Shampoo is a great option to help preserve color and keep the strands smooth. A heat protectant spray like Redken’s Iron Shape 11 is also essential for styling.

The blend of soft waves with lighter streaks adds a natural, beachy feel. It’s a go-to look for anyone seeking a chic, effortless vibe. These blended highlights enhance volume and texture while ensuring the style stays modern and fresh.

Dimensional Blonde Layers with Face-Framing Highlights

This look embraces soft blonde highlights with a focus on face-framing layers. The transition between darker roots and lighter ends is seamless, creating a natural yet striking contrast. The warm blonde tones combined with the layers draw attention to the face, making this style particularly flattering for those with medium-length hair.

This style is perfect for individuals with light brown hair or blonde tones who want to add brightness without going for a full head of highlights. It may not be as suitable for those with dark hair or who prefer more dramatic, high-contrast styles.

To maintain the health and shine of these highlights, opt for Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector, which repairs and strengthens color-treated hair. A light styling cream such as Bumble and Bumble’s Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil will help enhance the softness of the layers and reduce frizz.

These blended highlights create an effortlessly soft glow around the face, giving it a youthful, refreshed look. The subtle gradient of color adds dimension without overpowering the natural base, making it a fantastic option for anyone looking for a subtle yet elegant update.

Honey Blonde Lob with Soft Waves

The lob (long bob) has been a favorite for years, but in 2025, the addition of chunky honey blonde highlights makes it even more appealing. This cut features blonde tones blended with natural brown hair, creating a soft but striking contrast that’s ideal for those wanting a noticeable change. The soft waves throughout add movement and volume.

This hairstyle is well-suited for individuals with brunette grey or light brown hair who are looking to go lighter but want a low-maintenance grow-out. It’s less ideal for those with very short hair, as the dimension created by the length is part of what makes this style so appealing.

To keep this look fresh, try Aveda’s Color Conserve Shampoo to maintain color vibrancy, and consider adding Amika’s Curl Corps Defining Cream to enhance the soft waves without weighing the hair down.

The combination of honey and chunky highlights with a lob cut makes this a standout look. It’s versatile enough for everyday wear yet striking enough to turn heads. Plus, the soft waves and blended tones ensure that the style remains polished and modern.

Voluminous Brown Waves with Lowlights

This luxurious look features voluminous waves in dark brown hair, accented by subtle lowlights that add depth and dimension. The rich brown color is enhanced by lowlights brown, creating a soft, multi-dimensional effect that adds volume and movement to the hair.

This style works best for those with medium to long brown hair who are looking to add richness without lightening their hair dramatically. It’s not as suitable for those with grey hair or very light bases, as the dark tones create the overall effect.

To keep the waves shiny and bouncy, use a moisture-rich product like Oribe’s Supershine Moisturizing Cream and a lightweight hairspray such as Living Proof’s Flex Hairspray for hold without stiffness.

The voluminous waves paired with soft lowlights offer a luxurious feel that’s perfect for making a statement while still looking effortless. It’s an ideal choice for those wanting to showcase the natural depth of their brown hair with added texture.

Chunky Curls with Caramel Accents

This bold hairstyle features chunky highlights in a combination of caramel and light brown, perfect for creating a fun, high-contrast look. The curls add to the boldness of the highlights, giving the hair a voluminous, textured appearance. The caramel highlights against the dark base create a striking visual effect that’s ideal for those who love to stand out.

Best suited for individuals with dark brown hair or dark hair, this look thrives on contrast and volume. It might not be the best choice for those with very fine or short hair, as the curls and chunky highlights require a bit of length and texture to really shine.

To maintain the bounce in these curls, use DevaCurl’s SuperCream Coconut Styler and pair it with a moisture-locking conditioner like SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie.

This look is all about making a statement. The combination of chunky highlights and caramel accents gives this style a modern, bold edge, while the voluminous curls bring a fun, youthful energy to the overall aesthetic.

Sleek Brown Layers with Natural Shine

This look features sleek, straight brown hair with a natural shine and blended highlights that add depth without overpowering the style. The layers create a soft, smooth finish that flows beautifully, showcasing the hair’s natural movement. The result is an elegant, polished appearance that’s both understated and refined.

Best suited for individuals with dark brown hair or light brown hair who prefer a subtle yet sophisticated look. It works particularly well for medium to long lengths but might not be ideal for those with short hair or who prefer more texture.

To maintain the sleekness and shine, use a smoothing serum such as Moroccanoil Treatment, which helps to nourish and smooth the hair while keeping it frizz-free. A flat iron, like GHD’s Platinum+ Styler, will ensure the straight style stays sleek all day.

This hairstyle is all about enhancing natural beauty with blended highlights that don’t distract from the richness of the brown base. It’s perfect for those who want a low-maintenance yet high-impact style that emphasizes the natural luster of their hair.

Icy Gray Blunt Cut with a Sleek Finish

This sleek, blunt cut features striking gray hair with an icy silver finish that’s both bold and modern. The blended highlights here transition effortlessly from darker roots into the silver strands, creating a dramatic yet seamless look. The blunt ends add structure, making this a perfect style for those who love clean, sharp lines

Ideal for those with dark hair looking to embrace the gray hair trend in a bold way, this style suits medium to long hair lengths but may not work as well for those who prefer softer, more layered looks.

To keep the grey tones vibrant and free from brassiness, use a purple shampoo such as Fanola’s No Yellow Shampoo. Additionally, L’Oréal Professionnel’s Silver Shampoo is excellent for maintaining the cool undertones of the silver strands.

This trends look is striking and makes a powerful statement. It’s perfect for individuals who want to embrace the grey hair movement in 2025 while keeping a sharp, modern edge.

Soft Blonde Waves with Subtle Lowlights

These soft waves are a beautiful blend of blonde and lowlights blonde that create dimension and depth. The face-framing layers are delicately highlighted with lighter tones, while the rest of the hair has a smooth transition between light brown hair and blonde shades. The result is a natural, sun-kissed glow that’s effortlessly chic.

This style works best for individuals with natural blonde or light brown hair, enhancing their base color with soft lowlights. It may not be ideal for those with very dark bases, as the transition between dark and light may be less seamless.

To keep the waves bouncy and the highlights fresh, use Bumble and Bumble’s Surf Spray for texture, and a color-protecting shampoo like Pureology’s Hydrate Shampoo to prevent the color from fading.

This hairstyle’s blend of soft tones and relaxed waves makes it perfect for those seeking a casual yet sophisticated look. It’s the epitome of effortless beauty and is sure to be one of the most popular blended highlights 2025 trends.

Luxurious Brunette Waves with Caramel Highlights

This luxurious style features deep brunette waves accented with rich caramel highlights. The contrast between the dark base and the warm caramel tones creates a multidimensional effect that adds movement and volume to the hair. The waves are voluminous and structured, giving the hairstyle a glamorous feel.

Best suited for those with dark brown hair or brunette grey who want to add warmth and dimension. This look may not be as suitable for those with grey hair or very light bases, as the dark undertones are essential to the overall effect.

To keep the hair looking glossy and healthy, use a shine serum like Oribe’s Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil and a deep conditioning mask such as Briogeo’s Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask to maintain hydration.

The combination of caramel highlights with brunette waves offers a sophisticated and luxurious finish. It’s perfect for anyone wanting to enhance their natural color with added depth and warmth.

Long Waves with High-Contrast Blonde and Brown

These long waves feature a high-contrast mix of blonde and brown highlights that create a striking visual effect. The chunky highlights add dimension and volume, while the waves ensure the style stays soft and feminine. The lighter blonde pieces beautifully frame the face, giving this look a youthful and fresh feel.

This style is best suited for individuals with medium to long brown hair who want to add a bold, modern twist. It may not work as well for those with very fine or short hair, as the chunky highlights and waves require volume to truly shine.

To keep the highlights vibrant and the waves defined, use Ouai Wave Spray for texture and Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother to protect the hair from heat styling.

The contrast between the blonde and brown hair makes this look eye-catching and trendy. It’s perfect for those looking to experiment with a bold new style while staying on top of the latest blended highlights 2025 trends.

Blonde Wavy Bob with Sun-Kissed Highlights

This blonde wavy bob features soft chunky highlights that are beautifully blended, creating a sun-kissed, dimensional look. The waves add a playful bounce, enhancing the natural movement of the hair while allowing the lighter blonde tones to shine through. This carefree, textured style is perfect for those looking to brighten their hair with subtle contrasts.

This style works well for individuals with light brown hair or blonde tones who want to add more dimension and brightness. It may not be as ideal for those with very dark hair, as the transition could be too stark for a seamless blend.

To maintain this effortless wave and color vibrancy, use Kevin Murphy’s Blonde Angel Treatment to keep the blonde highlights bright and a texturizing spray like Oribe’s Dry Texturizing Spray to add volume to the waves.

The soft waves combined with warm blonde highlights make this bob a standout look. It’s perfect for anyone wanting a breezy, sun-kissed vibe while staying on top of hair trends for 2025.

Brunette Waves with Caramel Accents

This long brunette style features luxurious waves accented with warm caramel highlights. The chunky highlights are strategically placed to add depth and brightness to the overall look without overwhelming the rich brown hair base. The waves give the hair a voluminous, bouncy texture that exudes elegance and sophistication.

Best suited for individuals with dark brown hair or brunette tones, this style is perfect for those wanting to add a touch of warmth and dimension. It may not be ideal for lighter bases, as the warmth of the caramel could become too bold.

To maintain this style’s glossy finish and smooth texture, use Amika’s Velveteen Dream Smoothing Balm and follow up with Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil to keep the hair healthy and shiny.

The contrast between the brunette base and the caramel highlights creates a multidimensional, vibrant look that feels both modern and timeless. It’s a great choice for those looking to add warmth to their dark hair without going too light.

Dimensional Waves with Blonde and Brown Blended Highlights

These dimensional waves feature a seamless blend of blonde and brown highlights, giving the hair a rich, multi-tonal finish. The lowlights blonde and brunette shades work together to add depth and texture, making the waves appear fuller and more voluminous. The light-catching blonde highlights at the ends create a soft, sun-kissed glow that’s perfect for 2025.

Ideal for individuals with medium to long brown hair, this look enhances natural color while providing added vibrancy. It may not suit those with short hair, as the dimensional highlights need length to fully show their effect.

To keep the waves defined and the highlights fresh, use Bumble and Bumble’s Surf Infusion Spray for texture and Aveda’s Color Conserve Shampoo to protect and extend color vibrancy.

This style combines the best of both worlds—blonde and brown—to create a soft, dimensional finish that feels both chic and effortlessly modern.

Sleek Blonde Layers with Subtle Ash Tones

This sleek layered look features cool ash blonde tones that give the hair a polished and sophisticated finish. The blended highlights range from light blonde to soft ash, creating a seamless transition that adds dimension without overpowering the sleek silhouette. The layers add movement while maintaining a smooth, structured appearance.

This style is best suited for individuals with blonde or light brown hair looking for a subtle update with ash blonde tones. It’s less ideal for those with dark hair as the cool tones may not blend as naturally with a darker base.

To maintain the cool undertones and sleek finish, use Redken’s Color Extend Blondage Shampoo to keep brassiness at bay, and a flat iron like Dyson’s Corrale for a smooth, straight finish.

The combination of sleek layers and cool ash blonde tones makes this style modern and polished, perfect for those who want to embrace subtle, sophisticated color changes in 2025.

Feathered Layers with Soft Grey Tones

This voluminous style features feathered layers with soft grey tones that are subtly blended into the natural base. The grey highlights add dimension and depth to the hair, giving it a modern twist while keeping the look polished and elegant. The feathered layers provide movement, creating a lightweight, airy feel that complements the grey hair trend for 2025.

This look works well for individuals with light brown hair or those embracing their grey hair naturally. It may not be as suitable for individuals with very dark bases, as the soft grey might get lost in the darker hues.

To keep the layers bouncy and the grey highlights vibrant, use Matrix Total Results So Silver Shampoo to neutralize any yellow tones, and Living Proof Full Thickening Cream for added volume and body.

The feathered layers combined with soft grey highlights create a fresh, airy style that’s perfect for anyone embracing the grey hair trends in 2025. It’s elegant, modern, and easy to maintain.

Sandy Blonde Layers with a Soft Finish

This long, sleek style features sandy blonde layers that cascade smoothly down the back. The finely blended highlights add dimension, creating a soft, natural look that enhances the movement of the hair. The layers are carefully crafted to maintain length while providing texture and volume throughout the style.

This look is ideal for individuals with light brown hair or blonde tones, especially those seeking a subtle yet impactful transformation. It may not be as suitable for those with dark hair, as the lighter tones might create too stark of a contrast.

To maintain the softness and sleekness of the layers, use Oribe’s Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil and a smoothing shampoo such as Pureology’s Smooth Perfection Shampoo to keep the hair frizz-free and shiny.

This style’s seamless transition between blonde shades makes it an elegant choice for those looking for a low-maintenance yet polished look that stays on trend for blended highlights 2025.

Dimensional Brunette with Subtle Highlights

This brunette style is enhanced with subtle lowlights blonde that provide just the right amount of contrast to add depth without overpowering the natural brown hair base. The waves give the hair texture and movement, making the highlights pop while keeping the overall style soft and natural.

Best suited for individuals with brunette or light brown hair, this look is perfect for those wanting to add some dimension without going too light. It may not work as well for those with very dark hair, as the highlights may blend too subtly.

To keep the highlights vibrant and the waves defined, use Amika’s Curl Corps Defining Cream and a color-protecting shampoo like Redken’s Color Extend Magnetics.

This look is effortlessly chic, offering a natural yet enhanced finish that’s perfect for everyday wear, while still being on trend for 2025 blended highlights.

Light Ash Blonde with Soft Waves

This style features a smooth blend of light ash blonde highlights with a soft wave texture that adds volume and movement. The lowlights blonde create a beautiful contrast that enhances the natural shine of the hair, giving it a sophisticated finish that looks polished and elegant.

Ideal for those with light brown hair or blonde tones who want to brighten their look, this style may not be as suitable for those with very dark bases, as the ash blonde may require more maintenance.

To maintain the cool tones and soft waves, use Fanola No Yellow Shampoo to keep brassiness at bay, and apply a texturizing spray like Bumble and Bumble’s Surf Spray to add volume.

The blend of ash blonde with light brown hair gives this look a modern and elegant finish, perfect for anyone looking to stay on top of 2025’s hair trends.

Warm Blonde with Layered Curls

This warm, voluminous style features blended tones of blonde and brown in soft, bouncy curls. The chunky highlights add depth and dimension, making the curls appear fuller and more defined. The layered cut ensures that the curls maintain their shape while adding movement to the hair.

This look is ideal for those with light brown hair or brunette tones looking for a fun, lively style. It may not be as suitable for those with very short hair, as the length is key to creating the layered, voluminous effect.

To keep the curls bouncy and the highlights vibrant, use Ouidad’s Curl Quencher Hydrafusion Intense Curl Cream, and follow up with Aveda’s Color Conserve Shampoo to protect the color.

This playful, voluminous look combines layers and chunky highlights to create a high-impact style that’s perfect for anyone wanting to embrace a bold yet elegant look for blended highlights 2025.

Blonde Balayage with Beachy Waves

This blonde balayage features a beautiful transition from darker roots to light blonde ends, with soft beachy waves that give the hair an effortless, lived-in vibe. The blended highlights create a natural-looking finish, perfect for those who love a sun-kissed look.

Best suited for individuals with light brown hair or naturally blonde tones, this look adds dimension without overwhelming the natural color. It may not work as well for those with very dark hair, as the contrast could appear too bold.

To keep the balayage fresh and the waves defined, use Moroccanoil’s Beach Wave Mousse, and a color-protecting shampoo like Matrix Biolage Colorlast to maintain vibrancy.

The seamless blend of blonde tones and the beachy waves make this style a go-to for anyone wanting a relaxed, effortless look that still feels polished.

Sleek Brunette with Caramel Highlights

This sleek brunette style features soft, subtle caramel highlights that add warmth and depth without overpowering the dark brown hair base. The straight, polished finish keeps the look sophisticated and sleek, perfect for those who prefer a more refined style.

Ideal for individuals with brunette or dark brown hair looking to add warmth, this look may not suit those with light brown hair as the contrast might not be as striking.

To maintain the sleekness and shine, use Kérastase Discipline Fluidissime Spray and a smoothing shampoo like Redken Frizz Dismiss to keep the hair smooth and frizz-free.

This sleek, polished look with caramel highlights is ideal for those wanting a refined yet modern update for 2025 hair trends, offering a subtle yet stunning transformation.