30 Ideas of Chunky Highlights to Rock in 2025

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The late ’90s and early ’00s beauty trends are undoubtedly experiencing a real revival in a new and fresh key. We are feeling inspired by the past more than ever, especially when it comes to bold hairstyles, like chunky highlights or money pieces.

If you are unsure if this could be the right hair color for you, sit back and get inspired by our ultimate compilation of trendy ideas.

Passionately embracing the chunky highlights trend, I can’t help but marvel at how it effortlessly revives a glorious era from the past. There’s something profoundly nostalgic and thrilling about the resurgence of hairstyles reminiscent of the ’90s and early 2000s.

What truly captivates me is the versatility of chunky highlights. From delicately thin strands to broader color panels, the creative possibilities seem boundless. Whether framing the face with fringes, embracing the carefree vibe of shaggy cuts, or contouring a lob, these highlights add a captivating touch to any look. This trend isn’t just a style for me; it’s a genuine celebration of individuality and creative expression. ”


Vanessa Koeb Colorist * *

Chunky highlights are the favorite trend of all celebrities who keep up with the latest fashions. The 2025 version is more of face-framing ribbon highlights that continue throughout the strands. However, some bolder options like skunk stripes and zebra-looking patterns are also in trend.

Kylie Jenner, Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian West, and Dua Lipa have already impressed everyone with their amazing face-framing pieces, and if you wish to join them, here are some gorgeous styles to go over.

1. Contrasting Warm Blonde Money Pieces

A blend of brunette and warm blonde is the color combination everyone is in love with, as it spices up the look. A ribboning technique will enhance depth and add dimension to your color, bringing more texture to it.

2. Dimensional Full-Head Highlights

Take your bob haircut to the brighter side by incorporating strands of softly toned blonde. This will bring more texture and dimension to your natural brown hue, thus visually thickening the hair.

@alexfadich

3. White Blonde Skunk Stripe Highlights

This dark brown and icy blonde combo is adorable! Face-framing ribbons brighten up the face and add contrast to the general style. You may also enhance the face frame with a cute highlighted fringe.

@slm.beauty

4. Highlights and Curtain Bangs

Give your fine straight hair extra volume and thickness by mixing your natural hair with prominent blonde highlights. The curtain fringe not only adds volume to your hairstyle but also accentuates facial features, creating a voluminous, flattering look.

@carrisamarie_hair

5. Creamy Blonde Ribbon Balayage

This highly defined color is an excellent solution for girls who dream of something more than a simple classic balayage. Starting from the roots, these blonde ribbons create much contrast with the brown base color, thus defining and shaping the hairstyle.

@mo_raven

6. Strawberry Blonde Face Framing

Here is a good example of trendy coloring for those of us who are not afraid of experiments. Ideal for those who is not afraid to dare with their hair. The rich strawberry tone works perfectly for auburn shades, both natural and dyed.

@abbeybrookee

7. Contrasting Sandy Blonde Highlights

We are obsessed with this gorgeous style inspired by the early ’00s! Crafted opting for a blend of brown tones with lighter, blokier sections, it evocates milk chocolate and sandy shades.

@legallyxxblonde

8. Thick Burgundy Highlights

Black hair is a perfect canvas to contrast vibrant plumy red shades. Alternate thick highlights with babylights to add extra depth and some definition to the color. Style it big and wavy for a fiery finish!

@k.dollhair

9. Multi-Tone Highlighting

The main thing about successful balayage is to find the colors that would perfectly match each other, but you don’t have to limit yourself to two options. Mix dark brown base with burgundy, caramel, and blonde shades to create this mesmerizing look full of texture and dimension.

@samihairmagic

10. Bob with Chunly Blonde Streaks

Infusing this versatile bob style with trendy, large highlights will elevate it to an object of adoration! Such bright high-contrast sections will illuminate the skin tone and contour the facial features.

@bel_pipsqueekinsaigon

11. Gray Money Pieces

Money pieces are the most common option for spicing up a hairstyle without radical changes. Pair your cool dark brown hair with grayish-brown face-framing locks, and curl your tresses to deliver soft yet chic vibes to your mane.

@locksbylauryn

12. Thick Ash and Pale Pink Strands

Do you remember the iconic hairstyle Kelly Clarkson wore back in the ’90s? This style is a modern version of the popular trend. Enhance your distinct blonde panels with an ashy and pastel pink gradient toner, to emphasize your look and make it very personalized.

@sheilahernandez.m

13. Dimensional Copper Balayage

Copper is that one color that never gets out of trend. If having a single copper shade isn’t your preference, consider experimenting with rich, strawberry blonde-toned vivid highlights. Ideal for those who are looking to elevate a copper shade but also their style.

@stylezzbydreeaa

14. Buttery Blonde Foils

High-contrast hair colors are one of the big trends in 2025. You’ll adore the way this buttery blonde hue harmonizes with both the natural color and the face-framing color placement! Show this pic to your hairstylist to recreate this inspiring hair color at your salon.

@e_belhair

15. Multi-Tone Ash Highlights

If this look makes you want highlights in your hair, then you know how to refresh your hairstyle! The cascading ashy hues will add lift to your dark roots and visually thicken your thin locks.

@shades_by_sydney

16. Blonde Face Framing

These blonde face-framing strands on brown hair look adorable! Money pieces will give an extra dimension to your mane, taking your neck-length brunette locks to the next level.

@narshahair

17. Black Hair with Well-Defined Streaks

Reviving your cut can be as simple as adding a touch of color strategically. Opt for a defined color placement and a contrasting hue to illuminate dark hair. In addition, it pairs well with majority of skin tones.

@avacorinnehair

18. Lob with Blonde Highlights

A top favorite is the shoulder-lenght cut gracefully enhanced by blonde highlights. Having your hair highlighted will cast a beautiful glow around your face while your style will effortlessly gain a chic vibe.

@ashleydennettehair

19. Blonde and Caramel Highlights

Do you prefer a highlighted look that blends with your brunette base? Opt for soft caramel toned highlights to play the subtle dimension card. Additionally, blending face-framing highlights into your darker hair color will elevate your complexion.

@hairbychandler

20. High-Contrast Bold Ribbon

If you feel your hairstyle lacks that wow factor, consider adding a large money piece to the front of your hairtyle. Coloring this statement-making ribbon in a completely different hue creates a striking accent that beautifully contrasts with the rest of your hair.

@hairbyevelia

21. Curls with Honey Highlights

These honey-blonde strikey waves are truly captivating! Elevate the charm of your hairstyle with playful contrasting curls combine with a catchy blonde money piece.

@in_micheleschair

22. Thick Golden Copper Stripes

Amplify the charm of your long, volumoius blowout with a striking play of contrasts. Introduce captivating copper highlights to your dark brown hair, creating a dynamic movement that’s sure to turn heads.

@guddhair

23. Dark Auburn and Strawberry Combo

Bring the richness of your dazzling auburn hair out with these amazing wide strawberry blonde highlights. No matter your style, this shade combo is sure to elevate the look, bringing a fiery and fabulous flair to everyone!

@memmieyo

24. Yellow Money Pieces

If you’re a fan of bright hues, you can try to mix this stunning yellow shade with natural brown hair to achieve something really catchy. Use a curling iron or hot brush to create beautiful curls and give more texture and dimension to your striking new color.

@class_estetica

25. Face-Framing Silver Blonde Streaks

If you prefer to start with something more subtle, opt for these understated money pieces. Lighten a smaller section of your face-framing hair to define your long bob shape and elevate your hairstyle.

@styled_by_alli

26. Toasted Caramel Money Pieces

Ask your hairstylist to add warmth to your dark hair by making gorgeous caramel highlights like these ones. The warm caramel shade will perfectly contrast with the darker base, while face-framing pieces will make the style look more voluminous and airy.

@beautybybritt_xoxo

27. Platinum Blonde Front Ribbons

For those who want to take a bolder approach to the trend, this platinum blonde ribbon highlight on black hair is just what you need. Paired with funky ‘do, this hue looks truly stylish and unique.

@gracek.creates

28. Well-Blended Thick Blonde Highlights

These blonde highlights are well-blended, but that’s what makes them so great. They are easy to maintain, as they don’t really differ from the natural color, so you won’t need to visit a hairstylist often.

@heyheatherdk

29. Caramel Highlights and Dark Underneath

Witness the harmony between two contrasting yet complementary shades of brown and caramel. This dynamic pairing is a nod to the iconic styles from the 90s, a contrasting fusion of hues that brings a retro flair to a contemporary hairstyle aesthetic.

@kristen.may.hair.skin

30. Thick Blue Highlights

This fabulous interpretation of the sharp and vivid highlights trend from the ‘00s is giving a refreshing take on a nostalgic hairstyle. We love how the blue shade complements the black color.

@thesalvistylist

Let your imagination run wild with bold thick highlights, let it play to find the perfect color combinations to match your haircut and general style. With self-expressive hair, heads will surely turn!

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