Experts concur: Ribbon highlights are the summer solution for achieving an expensive-looking hairstyle.

      Summer hair trends often lean towards low-maintenance styles, particularly as warmer weather arrives. While air-dried textures and beach-inspired hair colors continue to be popular, there is a clear desire for hair that appears and feels more refined. This summer, we are witnessing the rise of glamorous, brushed-out curls, Y2K-inspired pastel shades, and precisely tapered bobs as standout styles, alongside more deliberate coloring techniques, such as ribbon highlights.

      Ribbon highlights pay tribute to the chunky streaks and high-contrast balayage styles that were prevalent in the early 2000s, but this new approach is much subtler. It features fine, delicately woven sections of color that weave through the hair, adding lightness, brightness, and depth as the strands move. This trend is particularly appealing for those seeking polished highlights that still require minimal upkeep.

      What Are Ribbon Highlights?

      “High-contrast ribbon highlights utilize a coloring technique where lighter strands of color are applied against a darker base,” explains hairstylist Jessica Elwell, an award winner of the L’Oreal Colour Trophy and member of the artistic team at Scullion & Scot. “This look emphasizes bolder, more defined segments that introduce contrast, movement, and dimension, rather than lots of fine, blended highlights that blend into the hair.” The thicker sections being colored make ribbon highlights suitable for various hair types, especially during the summer.

      “This season, we tend to embrace our hair's natural texture, and ribbon highlights work effectively with this as they have a wider diameter, creating distinct strands of light for a dimensional effect,” says color specialist Siobhan Haug, Co-Founder of Haug London Haus. “On straight hair, this can look quite contrasting; however, once you add some movement, the ribbons beautifully diffuse throughout the hair, resembling actual ribbons of color and light.”

      How to Achieve Ribbon Highlights

      Colorists can use various methods to create ribbon highlights in the salon, such as hand-painting or purposely sliced color, but the essence of the look lies in the contrast. “Ribbon highlights are bold, face-framing sections of color that generate visible ribbons of light through the hair rather than numerous blended highlights,” states celebrity hairstylist Joe Kelly. “I craft this look by strategically applying thicker sections of lightener, concentrating on the face frame and areas where light naturally hits the hair. The key is maintaining intentional placement without overloading the hair with highlights, ensuring movement and definition while preserving depth.”

      Ribbon Highlights Inspirations

      Gigi Hadid's chunky, bright blonde highlights wonderfully frame her face.

      Haug cites Kaia Gerber's "gorgeous sun-kissed ribbon lights" as an excellent reference for anyone considering this trend.

      The contrast between Ciara's espresso brown lengths and creamier beige highlights, which she calls mocha, is stunning.

      Is there anything more Y2K-inspired than J. Lo's ribbon highlights paired with a half-up, half-down style?

      Elwell mentions Sarah Pidgeon for her dark roots and blonde ribbon highlights, which captivated many during her role in Love Story.

      For a subtler approach, Ayo Edebiri's chunky caramel highlights enhance her bob with dimension without too much drama.

      Kelly highlights Beyonce's "iconic honey blonde" ribbon highlights for those seeking the perfect shades to transition from summer to autumn.

      Mia Goth’s understated ribbon highlights are beautifully placed to capture light, adding dimension and shine.

      Caring for Ribbon Highlights

      Maintaining highlights requires some upkeep, particularly since they are applied close to the roots, where growth is more visible. Experts agree that you should return to the salon every 8 to 12 weeks for a color refresh, depending on how high-contrast the highlights are and how fast your hair grows. For home aftercare, hydration is vital.

      - **Living Proof Moisture Rescue Mask:** “Hydration is crucial post-highlights,” says Kelly. “A nourishing hair mask weekly is essential to keep hair healthy and shiny.” This one uses Smart Barrier HairTech to restore essential lipids, deeply moisturizing and softening strands.

      - **Olaplex °.7 Shine Serum Oil Mist:** “A lightweight hair oil is excellent for sealing the cuticle and adding shine without weighing down the hair,” Kelly notes. “Heat protection is crucial when styling, as highlighted hair can become drier.” This new Olaplex launch provides both lightweight oil and heat protection.

      - **Redken Color Extend Blondage Shampoo:** “A purple shampoo is beneficial in summer to counterbalance unwanted brassiness that can occur as UV rays lighten your hair color,” says Haug. “Use it consistently once a week as a second shampoo for thorough cleansing.”

      - **Evo Head Mistress Cuticle Sealer:** “Using a hair sealer on wet hair helps seal the cuticle, locking in moisture and acting like sunscreen for your highlights,” suggests Haug.

      - **L'oréal Professionnel Metal Detox Sulphate Free Shampoo