Ringlighting, rebel streaks, rogue blonde, moneypiece – whatever you call them, face-framing highlights dominated hair trends last year. The style even recruited Queen Bey, who resurrected the ’90s colouring technique ahead of the curve.
In fact, face-framing highlights have made their way into beauty routines around the globe, with the editors at GLAMOUR Russia singling them out as one of the biggest hair trends to dominate the country.
The reason? They’re universally flattering, helping to brighten up complexions and accentuate facial features. They can be as subtle as or as bold as you like (depending on where you land between balayage and two-tone territory), they’re pretty low maintenance, given that only the two strips at the front are being dyed (which makes them more affordable, too) and they’re easy to switch up by dying them back to your original colour or cutting them into a fringe.
Heading into this summer though, our favourite hair crushes are taking things a step further. “Face frames are getting larger and larger. I would even go as far as to say they aren’t face frames any more. They’ve evolved to being 5 inches thick in some cases,” says Sophia Hilton, Crazy Color Ambassador and founder of Not Another Salon. And looking forward “we’re going to be doing more of these oversized, thick face frames,” she adds.
It’s not just the size that’s becoming bolder though – expect to see more vivid colour. “A common misconception is that face framing is just for the natural girls – it’s not. This trend is for anyone and everyone, no matter your preference on colour,” says Sophia. “Not Another are seeing more and more clients wanting colourful, vivid face frames.”
In general, stylists have seen a move towards gutsier choices and a real appetite for experimentation. People are less afraid to try something a little more daring. And, if you’re thinking of taking a bold colour for a spin but don’t want to fully commit, this is an entry-level way to mix things up.
15 ways to wear fun face-framing highlights…
Pretty pastels
Cookie dough
Touch of pink
Orangina
Lilac fringe
Brighter blonde
Hot pink
Smoky blue
Pinky peach
Copper blonde
’70s salamander
Neon lights
Rainbow glow
Rebel red
Carmine Cruella
For more from GLAMOUR’s Deputy Beauty Editor, Elle Turner follow her on Instagram @elleturneruk.