Youthful shine for all hair colors: what are babylight highlights and what are their benefits?
It’s a style that has captivated beauty lovers around the world. In addition to being versatile, this technique adds dimension and depth to the hair. Stylist Leonardo Rocco provided a series of tips on how to apply it at home and maximize its benefits.
Today we’re going to talk about one of the most vibrant and popular trends in the hair world: babylights, which emulate the natural, luminous highlights that children have in their hair. It’s a style that has captured the imagination of beauty lovers across the globe, from Argentina and Mexico to Colombia, the United States and Spain.
These subtle highlights are created by selecting thin sections of hair and lightening them to blend seamlessly with the rest of your mane. The results can range from subtle to dramatic, but always with a youthful glow, taking years off your face. Plus, if that’s not enough, they’re great for concealing gray hair.
As a stylist, I appreciate the ability of babylights to add dimension and depth to the hair, and as a hair care professional, I’m fascinated by their versatility. They look stunning on all shades of hair, from the darkest to the lightest, and are a great option for those looking for a gentle, yet effective change.
Although babylights are a professional technique, those who wish to try them at home can do so as long as they exercise caution. Be sure to select small sections of hair to avoid uneven results, and don’t forget to do a strand test to check the reaction.
1. Naturalness: Unlike other coloring techniques, babylights are designed to mimic the sunlight effect that would naturally lighten your hair. This makes them an excellent choice for those looking for a subtle but noticeable result.
2. Versatility. Babylights look great on all hair colors, from the darkest to the lightest, and can be adapted to any style.
3. Low maintenance. Babylights are a great option for those who want to add dimension to their hair without the need for intensive maintenance. As your hair grows out, the strands blend seamlessly, which prevents the appearance of a noticeable growth line.
4. Less damage. Because they involve very thin sections of hair, babylights tend to cause less damage than more intensive coloring techniques.
How to do babylights
1. Preparation: Before you begin, make sure you have all the necessary supplies on hand: a bleach mixture (if needed), the desired hair color, a dye brush, aluminum foil, and a fine-toothed comb.
2. Selecting highlights: Start by selecting thin sections of hair. The size of the sections should be small, similar to the size of a strand. It is important that the strands are fine to achieve that natural, subtle effect.
3. Wrap: Wrap each dyed strand in aluminum foil. This not only holds the dye in place, but also helps speed up the color lifting process.
4. Waiting time: Let the dye work its magic. The exact time will depend on the dye you are using and how much you want to lighten your hair. Be sure to check the product instructions and do a strand test to avoid over-processing your hair.
5. Wash and care: Once you have reached the desired level of lightening, rinse the dye out with warm water and then wash and condition your hair with products formulated for color treated hair.
Babylight highlights give hair shine and depth, which takes on youthful tones (Getty Images)
The best options according to your hair color
Babylights are a versatile option that suits all hair colors. However, to maximize impact and ensure a natural look, it’s important to consider your base color before choosing the shade for your highlights. Here, we’ll explore the best options for different hair colors.
Blonde hair
Babylights are particularly effective on blonde hair, where they can add incredible sunshine and depth. If your hair is light blonde, consider platinum highlights for a fresh, luminous effect. If your hair is dark or honey blonde, highlights in a caramel or golden blonde tone can add luscious dimension.
Brown hair
For brunettes, babylights are a great way to brighten hair without a drastic change. For light brown hair, gold and caramel tones work wonderfully to create a sun-kissed, sun-kissed effect. For dark brown hair, honey or light brown highlights can add light and movement.
This technique is the best way to go blonde if you’re looking to lighten brown hair, as you’ll be able to lighten your entire head of hair from roots to ends naturally with lots of fine highlights.
Red hair
Babylights on red hair can result in a truly stunning look. If you have a coppery red tone, strawberry blonde highlights can illuminate your hair with a magical, golden effect. If your hair is dark red or maroon, light red or copper highlights can add a fiery dimension.
Black hair
If your hair is black, babylights can add dramatic illumination. Chocolate brown or brown highlights can provide a soft, subtle effect. If you’re looking for something bolder, caramel or ash blonde highlights can create a striking, modern contrast.
For dark hair, babylight highlights leave a different but effective effect, something more subtle than other types of hair.
What are the most requested shades for babylights?
Babylights are a wonderfully versatile technique that can be customized to suit a wide range of shades and styles. Here are some of the most popular shades that can be achieved with babylights:
1. platinum babylights: Perfect for light blonde hair, these ultra-light platinum highlights add a rich sheen and an air of sophistication.
2. Golden babylights: Ideal for dark blonde or light brown hair, golden highlights create a warm, luminous sun-kissed effect.
3. Caramel Babylights: These highlights are ideal for brown hair, adding depth and a touch of sweetness. On dark hair, these highlights can provide a striking and attractive contrast.
4. Copper Babylights: Perfect for red hair, these highlights can add a vibrant coppery glow. They also work well on brown hair looking for a touch of red.
5. Honey Babylights: Ideal for light to dark brown hair, these highlights add a soft sweetness and golden glow that can illuminate the complexion.
6. Chocolate babylights: An excellent complement to black or dark brown hair, these highlights add dimension and a subtle highlighting effect.
7. Ash blonde babylights: These highlights are a popular choice for those looking to counteract the warm tones in their hair, offering a modern, chic look.
8. Pink or lavender babylights: For those looking for a bolder style, pastel colored highlights such as pink or lavender can add a fun, edgy touch to the hair.
In any case, remember that the key to stunning babylights is to make sure they are well blended and complement your skin tone and base color.
Regardless of the color of your babylights, it is crucial to use quality hair care products that protect and maintain your color. Most importantly, make sure the color you choose reflects your unique style and personality. After all, your hair is a way of expressing who you are to the world – enjoy experimenting and having fun with it!
*Leonardo Rocco is a renowned celebrity hair artist, spokesperson, platform artist, educator, television personality, salon owner and creator of a line of hair care products. Born in Argentina, with Italian roots, he has lived in Miami for the past 21 years where he developed his international professional career. He owns Rocco Donna Hair and Beauty Art, two super exclusive beauty salons, the first located on Ocean Drive and 1stStreet and the second at the Carillon Miami Wellness Resort in NorthBeach, he is also the creator of his Rocco Donna Professional product line.” IG | @leonardorocco1