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Back in the early 2000s, when David Beckham stepped onto the pitch with those iconic frosted tips, people took notes. He created a style statement that sparked a new, bold, and happening change in the hair industry with highlights.
Hair highlights for men became the trend every man wanted to try (at least for once). Fast forward to today, and that wave has come back smarter and far more personalised. Done right, highlights can completely lift a man’s look. They add depth, texture, and a bit of edge, without looking like you’re trying too hard.
With those subtle tones that catch the light or bolder streaks that show personality, highlights can frame your face better and bring out your natural features. It’s a simple change that makes a big impact!
In this blog, we will walk you through what hair highlights for men actually involve, why more men are choosing them, and how you can find a style that suits your personality. We will also cover how to look after them.
At Oxéa London, we have styled hundreds of men across all ages, professions, and personalities. So if you’re thinking of trying something new (without going over the top), you’re in the right place.
Let’s begin.
Men’s hair highlights are small sections of hair that are made lighter than your natural hair colour. Instead of changing your whole hair colour, only certain strands are lightened, either at the face-framing sections or the top and crown of the head. This creates a contrast that makes your hairstyle look more stylish, textured, and eye-catching.
Take a note – A full highlight involves colouring sections throughout the entire head, while a partial highlight focuses on specific areas/ strands from the head.
Sun-kissed caramel, honey blonde, golden blonde, platinum blonde, and subtle beige or ash blonde. These shades/colours are quite popular because they can be customised to complement different skin tones and hair types.
Highlights can make your haircut look sharper and more defined. They help bring attention to your face, especially your eyes and jawline. Even something as simple as sun-kissed highlights can give off a fresh look. The best part is it is also an easy escape to change things without the commitment of a full hair dye.
The good news? Highlights for men can work on almost every hair type. You don’t need “perfect” hair to pull it off! Here’s how highlights work with different hair types:
Year/ Era
Appearance & Style
Straight hair
With straight hair, highlights create a sharp, defined look and can stand out clearly.
Wavy hair
With wavy hair, the highlights will blend naturally and add depth and texture.
Curly hair
In curly hair, the highlights will enhance the curls more and give a bold, textured appearance.
Coily or afro hair
Highlights in coily or afro hair will add texture, vibrant accents if done properly.
Thick hair
With thick hair, highlights give a dramatic result with more colour surface.
Fine or thin hair
Highlights add depth and the illusion of volume to fine or thin hair and make it look fuller.
Short hair
With short hair, the highlights work the best with subtle placement, like tips or the crown area.
Medium to long hair
This type of hair will get more styling options and is also suitable for balayage and layered streaks.
Foil hair highlights for males is a method where hair is sectioned and wrapped in foil before lightening. This keeps the heat in and helps colour develop evenly.
Generally, this method works the best for men who want bold, defined highlights with high contrast, especially on straight or thick hair.
Practical tip:
Requires regular salon visits (every 6–8 weeks) to maintain the sharp look and avoid root regrowth showing too strongly. Our stylists at Oxéa London recommend this for first-timers wanting noticeable but controlled results.
Balayage is a freehand painting technique where colour is applied in soft strokes for a natural, blended effect. This colour and its effect look like your hair was naturally lightened by the sun. Low-maintenance and perfect for wavy, curly, or textured hair.
It grows out gracefully, with no harsh lines. You can easily go 10–12 weeks without touch-ups.
Trust factor:
This is our most requested technique among creative professionals and men in client-facing roles who want a polished look without going overboard.
With frosted tips, only the ends of short hair are bleached or lightened, usually in spiked or textured styles. This method adds edge and movement to shortcuts. Great for younger guys or those after a nostalgic ’90s style revival.
This works best on dark blonde or light brown hair. Otherwise, tone correction may be needed.
Pro advice:
At Oxéa London, we always recommend a toner post-lightening to avoid brassiness.
Chunky highlights are thick, wide streaks of colour that are intentionally bold and visible. It works best for those who like standing out and adds contrast, personality, and a creative flair.
These can look harsh if not placed properly. Go to a professional who understands face shapes and hair texture.
Expert voice:
Our colour experts use strategic placement to ensure it looks bold and not flashy.
Babylights are the type of highlights that are ultra-fine, soft, and look like the natural tones kids get after playing in the sun. It is subtle and professional, and on top of it is barely noticeable, but your hair will look fresher and more dimensional.
This type of highlight works excellently for corporate professionals or men trying colour for the first time. Many of our clients choose this when they want a change without risking too much attention.
Peekaboo highlights are hidden underneath the top layers of hair. They only show when the hair moves or is styled in a certain way. A clever choice for men in formal settings who still want some flair.
Choose colours close to your natural tone for a refined touch, or go bolder for events or occasions. At our studio, we customise placement so it’s completely hidden when needed, and stylish when revealed.
Full head highlights are applied more evenly across the entire head for an all-over brighter effect. It gives a fresh, completely new look. This is good for men looking to shift from dark to light overall. This type of highlight needs strong aftercare, deep conditioning, toners, and UV protection.
We recommend this only when you’re ready to commit. Full-head colour demands regular upkeep and salon-quality products.
Going bald does not mean missing out on style. Many men today confidently rock different hairpiece options such as hair systems or wigs, and adding highlights can make them look even more natural and modern.
If you wear a non-surgical hair replacement system, you can customise it with subtle highlights or lowlights to match your natural hair colour, skin tone, or overall personality.
From natural-looking blends, bold streaks, ash tones, warm browns, or even trendy silver finishes, highlights can add depth, contrast, and a more lifelike appearance to your overall hairstyle. They help break up flat colour, making your hair system styled brilliantly.
For men with thinning hair or partial baldness, highlights can also help create the illusion of volume and texture, especially when applied near the crown or fringe.
Key Tip:
Always work with a hair stylist or hair system expert who understands how to colour synthetic or human hair systems properly. Poor quality dyeing can damage the hair system!
Choosing the right type of highlights is about finding what works best for your hair type, natural hair colour, skin tone, and lifestyle.
Start by asking yourself a few key questions:
Not sure where to start? Follow this simple guide to choose highlights that suit your hair type, colour, and lifestyle perfectly.
Decide on the look you want. Is it natural or bold? Next, think about placement (just the top, sides, or full head) and tone (light blonde, ash, caramel, etc.).
Tip: Scroll Instagram or ask your stylist to show you photos of other guys’ hair with highlights similar to yours.
Make sure your hair is clean and dry. Avoid using any heavy products on the day of your appointment. This helps the colour sit better and develop evenly.
Your stylist will part your hair into sections- this helps apply the highlights in the right places, especially for highlights for men with short or textured hair.
Result:
A natural upgrade that suits your face, personality, and style. Perfect for any man who wants to change his look with confidence.
Getting highlights is just the beginning. To make your gent’s hair highlights look great week after week, it’s important to follow the right care routine. Here are simple, effective tips every man should know:
In today’s style-conscious world, hair highlights are the way for men to express personality, confidence, and individuality.
At Oxéa London, we believe great style starts with a real understanding of your hair, your goals, and your lifestyle. That’s why our expert team takes the time to guide you through the entire process, from choosing the right tone to maintaining your look long after you leave the chair.
Book your consultation to get personalised advice from our expert. Contact us today and let’s create something that truly feels like you!
Megan Brooks is a Certified Trichologist at Oxea Invisible Hair Solutions with over 21 years of Unbeatable experience. Throughout her remarkable career, she has successfully completed an impressive 8000+ hair replacement systems. Megan is dedicated to transforming lives and boosting self-confidence so that one can live with all the pride. She has served over 800 satisfied clients and still-counting, while helping them regain their natural appearance and feel their best.
Oxea Invisible Hair Solutions is a hair replacement brand based in 2 prime locations, West Kensington in West London and near Liverpool Street in Central London. We provide a full head of hair achieved through our hair integration procedure giving you confidence and life.
