While twilighting might sound like an elaborate vampire role play situation, it’s actually the coolest new hair trend for this winter. The name (sadly) has nothing to do with Robert Pattinson; instead it’s inspired by the golden hues swirled through the sky at sunset.
Karissa Schaudt, colourist at Chicago’s Maxine Salon, coined the term, and predicts the shade will be huge for 2020. Like this fall’s tweed hair, twilighting relies on a mix of balayage (highlights directly painted on your hair) and babylights (super-fine, subtle highlights using foil) to create a natural, dimensional look. Schaudt describes the shade as “brunette with warm undertones, meaning the colour is reflecting golden hues.” (Think Miranda Kerr‘s and Jennifer Garner’s hair colours.) She says it’s perfect for those with darker hair who want to try something trendy but not too drastic.
If you’re thinking this is literally just brown hair with golden highlights, well, you wouldn’t be wrong. That’s basically what it is. But it’s also insanely pretty and a low-maintenance way to warm up brown hair that works from season to season. Schaudt recommends this shade for her clients who want to keep some brightness around their face but have a multidimensional look.
The key to making the highlights look natural instead of chunky is the mix of highlighting techniques used. “This is a perfect balance of foiling and balayaging,” says Schaudt. “The placement of each serves a specific purpose. Unlike a foil where the highlights are concentrated evenly from roots to ends, twilighting marries the two techniques to produce a result that’s natural but bold.”
When talking to your stylist about this shade, the word dimensional is key. Ask for a mix of highlighting techniques, and “request that the brightness be around your face while the depth be left toward the back,” says Schaudt. And as always, it helps to bring in photos of what you have in mind.
For your convenience, we pulled some of our favourite examples, below. Now all you have to do is call your salon.
Curious about the other big hair colour trends for 2020? Look no further…