20 Stylish Hairstyles with Chunky Highlights: Bold Looks to Try
Chunky highlights are making a major comeback, offering a bold twist on traditional hair coloring. If you’re tired of the usual balayage or subtle highlights and want to add some dramatic flair to your look, chunky highlights might just be the perfect solution. These statement-making streaks offer an instant pop of contrast and personality, turning heads and giving your hair a fresh, modern edge.
Whether you’re looking to add warmth, depth, or an all-out colorful vibe, chunky highlights offer versatility like no other. In this article, we’re diving deep into 20 stylish hairstyles that perfectly blend with chunky highlights, ensuring you leave with plenty of inspiration for your next salon visit. From subtle blends to dramatic contrasts, there’s a look for everyone.
What Are Chunky Highlights?
Before we dive into the styles, let’s quickly break down what chunky highlights really are. Unlike traditional highlights that are finely woven throughout the hair, chunky highlights are bold, thick sections of lighter color against the natural hair. They’re often placed in larger, more distinct blocks, making them stand out more dramatically.
You can experiment with chunky highlights in various ways—whether you go for bright neon shades, rich caramel hues, or classic platinum blonde, the end result is always striking. These highlights tend to stand out more, giving you a strong, defined look. They’re perfect for anyone who loves making a statement with their hair.
1. Blonde Chunky Highlights on Dark Hair
If you’re rocking dark hair and want to bring some light into your life, blonde chunky highlights are a great place to start. The contrast between dark brown or black hair and platinum or honey blonde streaks is nothing short of mesmerizing. It creates a sense of depth while offering a bright, refreshing touch.
This look is perfect for those who love the boldness of high contrast but don’t want to go completely blonde. You’ll get a mix of dark and light tones, giving your hair an effortlessly chic vibe. Pair it with a sleek, straight style to let the chunky highlights stand out or add some waves for a laid-back, beachy look.
2. Caramel Chunky Highlights with Brown Hair
If you’re not ready for the high drama of blonde highlights but still want to add warmth, caramel chunky highlights are the way to go. The richness of caramel hues complements brown hair beautifully, creating a natural yet striking contrast. This look is ideal if you want your highlights to blend with your natural color but still have an undeniable pop.
For an even more stunning effect, you can alternate different shades of caramel throughout your hair to create dimension. Add some loose curls to your hairstyle to show off the highlights and give your hair movement. The end result will be warm, glowing, and incredibly flattering.
3. Rainbow Chunky Highlights
Ready to unleash your inner artist? Rainbow chunky highlights are a bold way to express yourself. From neon pink and electric blue to vibrant purple and fiery red, rainbow highlights can completely transform your look. These multi-colored streaks are a perfect way to experiment with color without committing to a full head of vibrant dye.
The beauty of rainbow highlights lies in their versatility. You can pick colors that complement your natural shade or go for an entire palette of bold hues. Combine them with an edgy haircut, like a shag or layered bob, to enhance the playful vibe. If you’re feeling adventurous and want to make a statement, this hairstyle is for you.
4. Pink and Lavender Chunky Highlights
If you’re looking to get a little whimsical with your hair, pink and lavender chunky highlights are a dreamy option. These soft pastel colors can be mixed with darker shades like black or brown for a surreal contrast. Think of it like cotton candy meets the night sky—soft yet bold at the same time.
These colors work best on hair that’s already light to medium in tone, but don’t worry if you have darker hair; you can always get a bleach pre-treatment to help these delicate shades pop. You can keep the highlights concentrated at the tips of your hair or sprinkle them throughout for a balanced look.
5. Chunky Highlights with Curls
Curls add volume and texture to any hairstyle, and when paired with chunky highlights, they create an undeniably dramatic effect. Whether you have natural curls or you use a curling iron to achieve bouncy waves, chunky highlights will emphasize the curls’ volume, making them stand out even more.
Curls and highlights go hand in hand because the highlights frame your face and enhance the shape of your curls. The bold, thick streaks of color make the curls look more dynamic, giving them a modern twist. This look is ideal for anyone with a curly or wavy texture, as it adds extra movement and dimension.
6. Chunky Highlights in a Bob Cut
A bob cut with chunky highlights is a timeless combination. The short, sleek lines of the bob perfectly complement the bold streaks of color, making it one of the edgiest and most stylish looks. You can go for a classic bob, an asymmetrical bob, or even a textured, messy bob—chunky highlights will elevate any style.
A bob allows you to show off your highlights without them feeling too overwhelming. The cut helps keep the color balanced, ensuring that the chunkiness of the highlights doesn’t overpower your look. It’s a chic and polished style that still feels fresh and contemporary.
7. Chunky Highlights on Straight Hair
Straight hair is a great canvas for chunky highlights because the smooth texture allows the color to shine through clearly. Whether you’re opting for caramel, blonde, or even pink, straight hair lets the highlights pop and makes the color appear sharp and defined.
For a sleek look, use a flat iron to straighten your hair, and then let the chunky highlights stand out. You can keep it simple or add a little volume at the roots for a bit of lift. This style works perfectly for anyone who prefers a low-maintenance look but still wants something bold.
8. Layered Hair with Chunky Highlights
Layered hair and chunky highlights are a match made in heaven. The layers add depth to your hair, while the highlights provide contrast and dimension. Whether your layers are long or short, the combination will give you a fun, textured look that feels effortless yet elevated.
The great thing about layered hair is that it can frame your face in different ways, making the highlights even more striking. You can also play around with the placement of your highlights—concentrating them around your face or scattering them throughout for a more natural vibe.
9. Chunky Highlights with Bangs
Bangs are back, and when paired with chunky highlights, they create a bold and fun look. Whether you opt for blunt bangs or curtain bangs, the addition of thick streaks of color will make your bangs stand out in a unique way. This hairstyle offers a playful twist on classic styles, making you look trendy and youthful.
You can choose a natural shade like blonde or caramel for a more understated look, or go wild with colors like purple or blue to really embrace the boldness of the chunky highlights. This look is perfect if you want a youthful, fun vibe that still feels modern.
10. Chunky Highlights on Long Hair
Long hair with chunky highlights is a dramatic and stunning combination. The longer your hair, the more room you have to experiment with different placement of the highlights. Whether you decide to highlight only the ends, create streaks throughout, or focus on the top layers, chunky highlights on long hair can transform your look.
The beauty of this style is that it allows you to keep the length of your hair while adding excitement and depth. If you’re worried about the chunky highlights being too bold, consider using a subtle shade that blends with your natural color for a more subdued look.
11. Bold Red Chunky Highlights
For those looking to add some fiery personality to their hair, bold red chunky highlights are the way to go. These vivid streaks will stand out against dark hair, creating a stunning contrast. Red highlights can vary in tone, from deep burgundy to vibrant cherry red, giving you endless options to play with.
Whether you choose to go all-in with red highlights or add a few to brighten up your hair, they’re guaranteed to turn heads. Red is a powerful color that symbolizes passion and confidence, making it a perfect choice for anyone looking to make a bold statement.
12. Chunky Highlights on Dark Blonde Hair
Dark blonde hair provides a perfect base for chunky highlights. The rich, golden tones of dark blonde hair pair well with a range of highlight colors, from light blonde to honey or even pink. Chunky highlights on dark blonde hair create a beautiful contrast, offering both warmth and brightness.
This style is particularly great for those with medium skin tones, as the warm tones in the highlights will complement your complexion beautifully. It’s a versatile look that works for both casual and formal occasions, giving you a chic, polished appearance with a touch of edge.
13. Chunky Highlights on Curly Hair
Curly hair with chunky highlights is a true showstopper. Curly hair already has a lot of volume and texture, and chunky highlights add even more depth and dimension to each curl. This style makes your curls pop, and the highlights give them a fresh, modern twist.
With curly hair, the placement of the highlights is key. You can choose to highlight the top layers for an added lift or focus on the ends for a more subtle look. Either way, curly hair with chunky highlights is guaranteed to give you a stunning, head-turning style.
14. Chunky Highlights with Ombre Effect
Combine the boldness of chunky highlights with the gradual fade of an ombre effect, and you’ve got a hairstyle that’s both striking and trendy. Ombre hair naturally transitions from darker roots to lighter ends, and adding chunky highlights on top of that creates an edgy, yet sophisticated look.
You can opt for blonde ombre highlights, or choose shades like pink, purple, or even teal for a more colorful vibe. The contrast between the dark roots, ombre effect, and chunky highlights creates a multi-dimensional, stylish look.
15. Chunky Highlights with Shaggy Hair
Shaggy haircuts are all about texture and volume, and when paired with chunky highlights, they become even more dynamic. The choppy layers of a shaggy cut help break up the color, giving your highlights a more natural, lived-in feel while still maintaining the boldness.
This hairstyle is perfect if you love an effortless, rock-and-roll vibe. With the right highlights, you can add dimension and create a fun, playful look that feels carefree and chic.
16. Chunky Highlights with a Side Part
A side part gives your hair volume and texture, and when paired with chunky highlights, it draws attention to the face-framing strands. This style is perfect for adding a bit of drama and emphasis on the highlights, especially if you’re looking to enhance your facial features.
For a modern twist, try adding the highlights towards the front sections of your hair, where they will be more noticeable. Whether you keep the rest of your hair sleek or tousled, the chunky highlights will always remain the focal point.
17. Chunky Highlights with a Messy Bun
Chunky highlights paired with a messy bun create an effortlessly chic and relaxed vibe. This style is perfect for those days when you want a casual yet trendy look. The messiness of the bun contrasts beautifully with the precision of the highlights, making for a laid-back but fashionable hairstyle.
This is an ideal look for brunch dates, casual outings, or even a fun day at the beach. The best part? You don’t have to worry about it being perfect—messy buns and chunky highlights are made for those carefree moments.
18. Chunky Highlights on Ashy Hair
Ashy blonde and gray hair are increasingly popular, and adding chunky highlights can make these cool-toned hues pop even more. Whether you’re embracing your natural silver strands or opting for a smoky blonde look, chunky highlights add contrast and brightness, giving the hair a stylish edge.
This look works best on hair that has a cool base. You can add highlights in shades of platinum blonde, soft pink, or icy blue to create a refined and sophisticated style that still feels fresh and modern.
19. Chunky Highlights with Pixie Cut
A pixie cut with chunky highlights is a bold choice for anyone who wants to stand out. The short length allows the highlights to shine brightly, creating a striking contrast. Whether you go for platinum blonde highlights or vibrant red streaks, the pixie cut gives you plenty of room to experiment with color.
This hairstyle is ideal for anyone who loves low-maintenance yet high-impact looks. The pixie cut keeps things easy and breezy, while the chunky highlights give the style a fun, rebellious edge.
20. Chunky Highlights with a Middle Part
A middle part with chunky highlights creates a clean and symmetrical look that draws attention to the brightness and contrast of the highlights. This style is perfect for anyone who loves balance and precision in their hairstyle, but still wants to add a bit of drama with the color placement.
With a middle part, the chunky highlights are evenly distributed on both sides of the face, giving your hair a polished and chic appearance. It’s a classic look that’s perfect for both casual days and more formal occasions.
Chunky highlights are more than just a hair trend—they’re a way to express your unique personality and style. Whether you prefer bold contrasts, playful colors, or subtle enhancements, there’s no limit to the creative possibilities these highlights offer. Try one of these 20 styles, and you’ll be rocking a fresh, fashionable look in no time.
