Ribbon Highlights Are Having a Moment: 6 Chic Looks to Try
Some hair color trends are all about making a big statement - while others are simply about looking prettier in the light. Ribbon highlights fall into the latter category but boast plenty of personality. The dimensional way strands are woven throughout the hair actually makes waves richer, curls more defined - and straight hair more polished overall. Such an update works well for those who find themselves craving a fresh new look in terms of color - without sacrificing the beauty of one’s original shade. Ribbon highlights may just be this inspiration.
What Are Ribbon Highlights?
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Ribbon highlights are another highlighting technique featuring wider, ribbon-like sections of lighter color throughout the hair. The lighter pieces can be included throughout much of the length, creating an especially beautiful effect when the hair moves.
Unlike ultra-fine highlights, these are meant to be seen. The contrast could be much more subtle and sophisticated or significantly more noticeable for a bold look. Placement matters as much as color - the stylist can adjust each section width and position to complement the hairstyle and facial features.
How to Do Ribbon Highlights
Ribbon highlights are probably best accomplished by a professional colorist - especially if the shade you seek requires much lightening.
- Step 1: The process usually starts with choosing a base color and level of contrast.
- Step 2: The stylist then sections the hair and selects some strands to bleach for that ribbon effect throughout the hair.
- Step 3: The final shade may include bleaching - particularly if starting with dark hair and seeking such highlights.
- Step 4: A toner or gloss afterwards will help even further with color and a softer, shinier appearance.
Here is a video that may help you better understand how to get subtle ribbon highlights. One of the most important elements to bring to the appointment is a reference photo. The notion of “ribbon highlights” can mean slightly different things to various colorists - showing them what you’d like will make achieving your goal significantly easier.
6 Ribbon Highlights Ideas That Feel Fresh Right Now
Ribbon highlights can appear very different depending upon the base color, texture, placement, and styling. These six looks show just how much personality such a color can have.
Face-Framing Ribbon Highlights
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If you love highlights that deliver a bit of brightness to your entire look, then face-framing ribbon highlights are a great place to start. The lighter strands offer a glow around the face while the rest of the color remains natural.
The inspiration photo features warm highlights and long, loose waves - the ribbons stand out nicely in such a look while maintaining a well-executed appearance that’s not too much done.
For an easy way to recreate that long, dimensional effect, a human hair wig with face-framing highlights will give you the look without permanent color.
Pink Ribbon Highlights
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Ribbon highlights need not be blonde. This more pink-toned look adds a playful yet slightly edgy mood to darker hair colors, with rosy highlights throughout the base color.
The deeper roots and those richer pink highlights create beautiful contrast whilst the long layers help to maintain a soft and feminine look overall. Such a color choice is perfect for anyone looking to experiment - but with a wearable result.
Ribbon Highlights on Brown Hair
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Brown hair and ribbon highlights are practically made for each other - soft blonde and beige ribbons simply enhance cool brown hair beautifully.
The subtle waves really make the color even more striking as each curl presents a different take on the light. Such effortless salon-fresh appeal lends itself wonderfully to both casual looks and more dressed-up ensembles.
If you love this rich brunette effect, then a brown human hair wig with highlights will do the same - offering depth plus styling options.
Ribbon Highlights Curly Hair
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Curly hair lends a whole different kind of magic to ribbon highlights. The lighter hairs don’t fall into perfectly straight lines but follow each curl for a lively, multidimensional effect. L’Oréal Paris also notes ribbon highlights work particularly well for naturally wavy and curly textures - the color follows the curls.
The inspiration features a darker root but warm blonde ribbons, making each curl more defined - bright, playful, and full of texture.
For anyone who loves this particular voluminous look, a curly wig with highlights offers the same dimensional effect but with easier style changes.
Ribbon Highlights on Straight Hair
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Straight hair lends itself beautifully to ribbon highlights, giving an almost liquid quality to the design. The lack of curls or waves really allows the color strands to show beautifully throughout the hair.
The inspiration shows a cool-toned brunette with softer blonde ribbons throughout the face and hair lengths. It’s very sophisticated and understated - but definitely not flat.
A straight, highlighted human hair wig remains another very easy option for this type of glossy, salon-colored hair.
Ribbon Highlights on Red Hair
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Red hair already contains plenty of personality, so ribbon highlights enhance this even more. This look features rich reddish-brown hair with deeper red and burgundy ribbons adding dimension without sacrificing warmth.
It’s beautiful nonetheless to see how highlights do not always have to be dramatically lighter than the hair itself. Different tones within a color family can create such a sophisticated and expensive-looking finish.
FAQs about Ribbon Highlights
How much do ribbon highlights cost?
The price will vary considerably based on location, salon, stylist, hair length and color, and the amount of lightening required. The estimate would be somewhere in the $100-$300 range, or even more for complex color corrections or very long and thick hair. A consultation is the best way to get an accurate quote.
What is the difference between ribbon highlights and babylights?
The biggest difference is in the size of the highlights and their visual element. Babylights employ extremely fine strands for a more natural glow, while ribbon highlights use wider sections that are intentionally more visible.
Are ribbon highlights high maintenance?
They can be relatively manageable - the colour can be blended thoughtfully within the hair. The maintenance schedule will rely upon whether the highlights are close to the roots or in terms of how fast the hair grows - colour-safe products and well-moisturised hair help to retain shine.
Can ribbon highlights work on dark hair?
Absolutely - dark hair can look gorgeous with caramel, honey, chocolate, auburn and even brighter blonde ribbons. Such a significantly lighter shade on dark hair may, however, require more than one highlighting session - making it worthwhile to discuss the current state of your hair with a professional colourist beforehand.
Ready to Try Ribbon Highlights?
The treatment has a particular way of making hair look fuller, shinier and more interesting whilst maintaining its identity. Caramel ribbons can offer a soft touch while blonde brings contrast and pink/red elements can create fun features. If you’re still deciding upon the best colour or texture for your hair, a human hair wig allows for experimentation with the look beforehand. Which ribbon highlights would you try first?
