But, First – Should You Color Black Hair with Blonde Highlights?
We say: do it. If your client has ultra dark hair, there’s no reason they can’t work blonde highlights – and as the No. 1 Salon Color Brand in the World*1, we’ve got all the color essentials you need. The key is to simply find shades that work with their unique hair goals and skin tone. But before you pick up the tint brush, keep these tips in mind…
1. Check How Dark Your Client Wants Their Hair
If you’re already working with a black mane, you may not need to color your client’s base. However, if they have a base they want to take deeper, check how dark they want to go. Black and deepest brown are often mistaken for one another, so make sure they’re aware of which tone they prefer. An ultra dark brown or ebony hue can still give plenty of depth and contrast, but may be softer and easier to tailor to skin tones than a pure, jet black.
2. Discuss How Many Sessions are Required
For clients who want to team black or very dark brown hair with a high contrast blonde, a number of lightening and coloring sessions may be needed. Talk this through during consultation, so you can set realistic expectations for your client. As always, patience is crucial for transformative lightening, but it’s always worth the time and effort for that masterpiece in the end.
3. Use a Bond-Strengthening Hair Lightener to Lift Locks
When it comes to creating black hair with blonde highlights, the lightener you choose makes all the difference. BlondorPlex is our product of choice for intense lightening, as it gives you up to nine levels of lift. It’s also infused with our bond-strengthening WellaPlex ingredient, so your client’s tresses are supported through the lifting process, with up to 97% less hair breakage *2.
Will Blonde Highlights Work on Black Hair?
Absolutely. Black hair with blonde highlights is certainly a statement look, but just because the colors are near opposites doesn’t mean they can’t work together flawlessly. Simply talk to your client about the type of finish they want. If soft and seamless is their goal, you may want to go for deeper shades of blonde, such as a caramel, golden or bronde (brown blonde) tone. Applying their highlights with a balayage technique is another great way to get a beautifully blended result – plus the off-root application allows for subtler regrowth than root-to-tip ribbons. But if contrast is key, try the Wella Color Blocking hair service, choosing brighter shades of blonde (think platinum, ash or silver) to apply to a deepest brown or jet black base. Combine with statement-making placement; a chunky face frame, root-to-tip ribbons or a dip-dye effect are all guaranteed to turn heads.