Highlights Are Back: A Few Stealth Streaks Can Change Your Look (And Your Life)

“I call them spaghetti noodles,” says Los Angeles–based colorist Kari Hill of highlights gone wrong—those obvious-looking bleached sections that, over the past decade, have come to feel as uncool as a too-perfect blowout or overly tonged Hollywood hair. But while strategically lightened strands may have fallen out of favor during the age of come-as-you-are hair, lately, they’re on the verge of a comeback. As it turns out, a few stealth streaks can be just the thing to warm up your skin tone and turn dull hair into good hair. “Today,” Hill says, “clients are asking for a more natural look, and brunettes can get lighter hair without the stripes.”

With my November wedding date on the horizon, I wanted to make a change—but could that change be both bride-worthy and subtle enough so that I looked and felt like myself? I immediately thought of natural brunette Olivia Palermo, whose hair color is a hybrid of gold and chestnut. I stalked her colorist, Abby Haliti, on Instagram and, remembering with terror all the hours I sat with my mother while she had her hair highlighted, blocked out a full Saturday at Julien Farel Salon with her. I arrived armed with reference photos, as any first-timer would and should do. “I want to look like I just got back from vacation,” I told her. She knew exactly what to do: balayage, a technique of hand-painting strands that results in a beachy, sun-kissed look.

“My goal is to make the client’s hair look as natural as possible,” said Haliti as she applied feathery strokes onto my ends with what looked like a paintbrush and worked her way up each strand. Rather than finely separating strands with a comb tail, Haliti sectioned off my hair by analyzing where the sun would naturally hit. “It’s all about placement and following the flow of the hair,” she said. “Balayage is great for clients who want to get a little brighter without losing their natural color.”

The plastic was removed after a quick 25 minutes, followed by a gloss to seal off the cuticle. I was left with an overall golden glow, seamlessly blended into my still-brunette base, and hair that appeared thicker and more textured. The lighter pieces framed my face, lending a hint of warmth and a major depth. My color is quiet enough to go unnoticed, but for those who know me, it’s a shiny new accessory, one that lights up my complexion. The best part, though, is that the treatment can last up to a year without maintenance. How easy is that?

 

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