Hair Colour Highlight
Pop of Colour & Dimension
Add dimension with Colour Highlights at REDS Hair Salon JB. Our stylists carefully select tones to complement your base color, whether you want bold contrasts or soft accents, resulting in vibrant, customized highlights that elevate your entire look.


Subtle or Bold Hair Highlights
Hair highlights have long been a favorite choice for adding contrast, brightness, or depth to a hairstyle. Whether subtle or bold, highlights can define your look in a powerful yet refined way. At REDS KSL Hair Salon, we specialize in precision hair highlight techniques that are tailored to every hair type, color, and personality. If you’re trying to decide between a soft touch of color or a dramatic transformation, this article will guide you through every essential detail — from balayage vs highlights, to tone selection, placement, and aftercare.
What Are Hair Highlights?
Hair highlights involve lightening sections of the hair to create contrast against the base color. The lightened areas are usually a few shades lighter than your natural tone. Depending on the chosen technique, the final result can range from natural and barely-there to bold and striking.
Balayage vs Highlights: What’s the Real Difference?
Feature | Traditional Highlights | Balayage |
---|---|---|
Application Method | Foils or caps | Freehand painting |
Look | Structured, patterned | Soft, natural, sun-kissed |
Maintenance | Requires regular touch-ups | Low-maintenance |
Best For | High-contrast looks | Subtle dimension |
Traditional highlights offer clear, consistent streaks of color from root to tip. Balayage, on the other hand, is painted on the surface of the hair and focuses on mid-lengths to ends, giving a more graduated effect.
“Balayage offers a natural fade, while foil highlights deliver deliberate brightness,” says our senior colorist at REDS Hair Salon JB.
Subtle Hair Highlights: Understated Elegance
For clients seeking a low-key enhancement, subtle highlights offer just enough contrast to bring light and movement into the hair without stealing the spotlight. These work beautifully for:
Virgin hair
Professionals in corporate settings
People with fine or thinning hair
Popular subtle highlight options include:
Baby lights (fine strands placed delicately throughout)
Face-framing highlights
Ashy tones for cool undertones
They blend effortlessly, look soft against natural hair, and grow out without harsh lines.
Bold Hair Highlights: High-Impact and Attention-Grabbing
If you’re not afraid to stand out, bold hair highlights add instant drama. Ideal for fashion-forward individuals, bold highlights often include:
Chunky highlights
Vivid or unnatural colors (e.g., platinum, blue, pink)
Two-tone contrast
Bold highlights look best when paired with layers or textured cuts. They draw the eye and create strong definition — perfect for making a statement.
Hair Highlight Placement Techniques That Matter
Highlighting isn’t just about color — placement is everything. A few common approaches we use at REDS Hair Salon JB include:
Full Highlights: Color applied all over the head
Partial Highlights: Focused around the face and crown
Peekaboo Highlights: Hidden sections that show when hair moves
Halo Highlights: Around the perimeter and top layer
Correct placement ensures that the highlights complement your cut and natural hair movement.
Hair Types and Highlight Suitability
Hair Type | Recommended Highlight Style |
---|---|
Straight Hair | Foil or chunky highlights |
Wavy Hair | Balayage, baby lights |
Curly Hair | Pintura or freehand technique |
Coarse Hair | Bold panels or ribbons |
Fine Hair | Subtle face-framing strands |
Each hair type reacts differently to color and light. During your consultation, our colorists will evaluate texture, thickness, and natural undertones before making a recommendation.
Color Choice Matters: Tone & Depth
Choosing the right color for highlights depends on:
Skin tone (cool, warm, neutral)
Base hair color
Desired contrast
Cool-toned individuals might prefer ashy blondes or silver, while warm undertones pair well with honey, caramel, or golden hues. If you want boldness, platinum or vivid fashion colors can be layered over lightened bases for impact.
Maintenance & Care for Highlighted Hair
Once you’ve had your hair highlighted, preserving that fresh, salon-quality tone is essential. Here are our top care tips:
Use color-safe shampoo (preferably sulfate-free)
Incorporate purple shampoo to prevent brassiness (for blondes)
Deep condition weekly
Schedule toner refresh every 4–6 weeks
Avoid excessive heat styling
“Highlights that aren’t properly maintained can quickly lose their shine and tone,” warns one of our senior stylists. Regular salon visits help maintain color clarity and hair health.
Best Hair Highlight Trends in 2025
Money Piece Highlights
Reverse Balayage
Caramel Highlights on Black Hair
Ash Blonde Foils
Shadow Root with Highlights
Trends evolve, but customized color never goes out of style.

Frequently Asked Questions
What’s better for natural-looking color: balayage or highlights?
Balayage is preferred for a more natural, sun-kissed look. It’s applied freehand and allows for softer, seamless blending.
How long do highlights typically last?
With proper care, highlights can last 6 to 10 weeks. Balayage usually grows out more gracefully and may last longer between appointments.
Will highlights damage my hair?
Highlighting involves lightening, which can dry out strands. Using professional techniques and aftercare products minimizes damage.
Can I highlight dark hair without bleaching?
You may achieve some lift with high-lift dyes, but to get visible highlights (especially bold ones), bleaching is often necessary.
Do I need a toner after highlighting?
Yes, toners help neutralize unwanted brassy tones and refine the final color for a more polished finish.
Final Thoughts
Hair highlights, whether subtle or bold, offer one of the most versatile ways to transform your look without changing your base color entirely. From the artistry of balayage vs highlights, to tone selection and placement strategy, every detail matters. At REDS, known as the best hair salon in KSL Mall, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all coloring — each highlight session is uniquely tailored to ensure that the end result enhances your individuality.
Whether you’re chasing sun-kissed softness or high-definition drama, our expert colorists are here to craft a result that matches your vision — down to the last strand.
