{"id":22160,"date":"2022-04-11T12:39:43","date_gmt":"2022-04-11T16:39:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prose.com\/?p=22160"},"modified":"2025-06-18T11:48:08","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T15:48:08","slug":"hair-highlights-for-men","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prose.com\/blog\/hair-highlights-for-men","title":{"rendered":"Men\u2019s Highlights for Hair: 5 (Not-So Frosted) Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

1. Hair texture impacts highlight placement<\/h2><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your colorist will first assess your hair texture and growth patterns\u2014and yes, ideally you\u2019re seeing the professional, for reasons like the one outlined in this bullet. \u201cHair texture is extremely important in where highlights should be placed on someone,\u201d Basinski says. \u201cStraighter hair is less forgiving [when it comes to the finished look], so it\u2019s really important to follow the growth pattern and keep in mind how the client will or won\u2019t style their hair.\u201d If it\u2019s going to fall over the face, or sweep back over the head, or be styled up and spiky, all of these will change the way the highlights add dimension, and the colorist needs to be mindful of it. \u201cWavy or curly textures are also important to consider the wave pattern so that there is an impactful ribbony effect while also looking natural. If the highlights are too thin they will get lost easily.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Don\u2019t stray too far from your base color<\/h2><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most natural looking highlights aren\u2019t going to grab attention. They work subtly to add the aforementioned dimension and depth to the hair. Anything too far from your base color starts to leave \u201chighlights\u201d territory and requires double processing and a platinum or coloring job. <\/p>

\u201cGenerally, I like to stick to two to three shades lighter than the client\u2019s [base] color,\u201d says Basinski. \u201cThis way, the integrity of their hair isn\u2019t sacrificed and they will also look the most natural, while also requiring less maintenance [in terms of toning and color preservation, and the products needed for maintenance].\u201d <\/p>

She adds that it\u2019s most ideal to add highlights to your natural color, as opposed to a fully dyed canvas. \u201cNatural\/non color treated hair is definitely the best to work with, since there is a clean canvas working in the stylist\u2019s favor.\u201d<\/p>

Here is one of Basinski\u2019s clients, with a light brown\/dark blonde natural base. The blonde highlights aren\u2019t as high-maintenance on him since he\u2019s already got the lighter base. They\u2019ll add dimension when swept down (like pictured) or pushed back, and will keep doing so as the hair grows.<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n@cara_hairfairy\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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3. Fine & thinning hair should proceed with caution<\/h2><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Highlights can also help fine textures seem fuller, says Basinski. However, your colorist should be mindful of your more delicate strands and adjust the formula accordingly. \u201cWe use a gentler formula to get a beautiful lift and tone, while still keeping the hair strands strong,\u201d she says. <\/p>

And for anyone whose hair is thinning over time, it\u2019s a case by case situation whether or not the highlighting will complement the hairstyle or draw attention to the thinning. The same goes for whether or not the formula will threaten the health of the vulnerable hair. \u201cWe do a test strand on any clients with hair loss or thinning,\u201d she says. <\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Know when to highlight and when to dye\/color<\/h2><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basinski sees lots of clients who might think they want a highlight, but are actually seeking a demi-permanent dye job (that is, something that delivers an \u201cin-between\u201d kind of color, like to offset or discreetly hide grays. But if what you want is that sun-kissed dimension, then highlights are a definite. If you want something less playful and more edgy, then your best bet is a double-processed \/ bleached and toned look.<\/p>

However, sometimes a grown-out dye job can have a highlighting effect. This is where there\u2019s some gray area on the matter: The dye color would have to fall somewhere in the \u201csun kissed\u201d range, and has to be relatively grown out compared to the rest of the hair, so that it has some dimensional effect.<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Get quarterly touch ups<\/h2><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people get highlights for a one-off experiment\u2014perhaps before cutting their hair off, or to accommodate the season. However, if you plan on maintaining highlights as part of your ongoing look, then Basinski says to plan on quarterly touch ups (every three to four months). This will play well into your haircut regimen (eight weeks for short-medium styles, 8-12 weeks for long ones), and the colorist can extend the highlights into the fresher hair growth, while also doing any necessary freshening on the existing color. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Highlights for men: The latest trend<\/h2><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If frosted tips were the trend of yesteryear (whether 1998 or 2016), then what is the most common highlight trend today? \u201cRight now it\u2019s all about keeping it \u2018natural\u2019 in my chair,\u201d Basinski says. \u201cI am seeing a lot of people who want to have fresh natural golden highlights.\u201d Again, think \u201csummer in the sun\u201d, as opposed to strategically placed strips of hair. \u201cPeople are going for more lived-in looks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n@cara_hairfairy\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Wrap up <\/h2><\/p>\n\n\n\n

No matter what style of highlights for men you decide to go for, keeping your hair healthy is crucial to ensuring your locks look fresh. Try Prose custom haircare here<\/a> to discover your personalized formula that takes into account many factors including your hair dyeing habits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Always made to order. Never made to waste.<\/p>\n \n

Exclusive Trial Offer Get 60% Off + Free Gift<\/h2>\n \n
\n \n\n Get Your Formula<\/a>\n <\/div>\n \"Woman <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

And what\u2019s trending now. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":22161,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[398,395],"tags":[303,306,304,305,479],"class_list":["post-22160","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hair-color-trends","category-category-inspiration","tag-color-bleach","tag-color-other","tag-color-permanent","tag-color-semi-permanent","tag-new"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nMen\u2019s Highlights for Hair: 5 (Not-So Frosted) Tips | At Length by Prose Hair<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Men\u2019s highlights for hair have evolved throughout time, from frosted tips to au natural. 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