Curly Hair With Caramel Highlights: How To Get The Perfect Sun-Kissed Look

Adding caramel highlights to curly hair can be a delightful way to refresh your look. I’ve found that these warm, golden tones not just brighten the hair, but also bring out the richness of the natural curls.

When I decided to enhance my curls with caramel highlights, it felt like a sun-kissed transformation, infusing life into each ringlet.

Selecting the perfect shade and placement of the highlights is crucial to complement the natural movement of your curls. I learned that it’s about creating dimension and depth, which allows your curls to visibly pop and stand out.

Keeping these highlights looking fresh requires a specific care routine, as the combination of curly texture and color processing calls for extra nourishment and protection to maintain the vibrancy and health of your hair.

Key Takeaways

• Caramel highlights can revitalize curly hair, adding dimension.
• Choosing the right shade and placement enhances the natural curl pattern.
• Proper maintenance is essential for the health and vibrancy of colored curls.

Auburn Hair With Caramel Highlights

Blonde With Caramel Highlight

Strawberry Blonde With Copper Highlights

Shoulder Length Curls With Blonde And Caramel Balayage

Rose Gold With Caramel Highlights

Maroon Hair With Copper Highlights

Pink Hair With Caramel Highlights

Long Black Curly Hair With Caramel Highlights

Honey Brown With Caramel Highlights

Ginger With Copper Highlights

Dark Hair With Caramel Highlights And Balayage

Dark Blonde With Caramel Highlights

Burgundy With Caramel Highlights

Black Shoulder Lenght Curly Hair With Caramel Balayage

Dark Red With Copper Balayage

Curly Blonde With Caramel Highlights

Black Curls With Caramel Balayage

Cherry Blonde With Copper Highlights

Black Caramel Balayage

Violet Hair With Caramel Highlights

Designing Your Caramel Highlights

I’ve found that when adding caramel highlights to curly hair, the secret is to choose shades that complement your skin tone and selecting the right technique that works for your hair texture and length.

Choosing the Right Shade

It’s incredibly important to pick a caramel shade that flatters your skin tone. I usually recommend a lighter, more golden caramel for those with warm undertones, and a deeper, richer caramel for cool undertones.

It’s all about creating that natural, sun-kissed look. The following list offers a quick reference:

• Warm Skin Tones:
  • Light caramel
  • Golden hues
• Cool Skin Tones:
  • Rich caramel
  • Muted or cool browns

Remember, matching the highlight to your natural hair color can lead to the most seamless, beautiful results.

Highlight Techniques for Curly Hair

Curly hair is unique, and the highlighting technique should hug and accentuate those twists and turns.

Balayage is a fantastic choice, as it’s a freehand technique where I paint the highlights on, which means I can work with the curls to ensure the highlights follow the curl pattern.

Hand-painted highlights, like Pintura, are also stunning because they’re specifically designed for curly hair, focusing on areas where light naturally hits. For those looking for a more structured look, foil highlights can be very effective as well.

• For loose curls:
  • Balayage or hand-painted techniques
• For tight curls:
  • Pintura highlights for bespoke accentuation

Considering Hair Texture and Length

The length and texture of your curls play a vital role in how highlights are applied.

With longer curls, it’s easier to create a gradient effect as there’s more hair to work with. Short curly hair can handle subtle highlights that create dimension without overshadowing the hairstyle.

Hair texture can dictate how light or dark the caramel should be, as well as how much is applied, so it’s a balancing act.

• Long Curls:
  • Gradient and ombré effects
  • More room for creativity with shades
• Short Curls:
  • Subtle highlights to enhance texture
  • Strategic placement for maximum impact

Caring for Highlighted Curls

Having curls with caramel highlights is like having the best of both worlds: vivacious curls and the warm, sun-kissed glow of highlights. But it’s not just about getting those highlights; it’s about keeping them looking fresh and your curls healthy.

Daily Curl Care

First thing’s first, I learned that hydration is the name of the game for my curls.

I make sure to use sulfate-free shampoo and moisturizing conditioner to keep my curls and color from drying out.

After washing, I gently blot my hair with a microfiber towel because terrycloth can rough up those delicate strands.

I have a few go-to styling products, primarily leave-in conditioners and curl creams that don’t weigh down my hair. They’re perfect for ensuring my curls stay defined and bouncy.

I apply them while my hair is damp and then air-dry to avoid heat damage. If I need to revitalize my curls in between washes, a light spritz of water and a dab of curl cream does the trick.

Maintaining Your Highlights

I found that the key to maintaining my highlights is to treat them gently and shield them from anything that can cause fading. So, I avoid hot tools as much as possible, and I never step out without my hair covered or without applying a UV protection spray because that sun is a sneaky color-fader!

Every now and then, I use a color-safe, deep conditioning treatment. It’s like a spa day for my curls and color. It keeps both looking as fresh as the day I walked out of the salon.

Speaking of the salon, I pop back to see my colorist every 8 to 10 weeks for a touch-up. This keeps my highlights looking natural and blended, avoiding any harsh lines as my natural hair color grows in.

And remember, every curl and every color is unique, so finding what works best can be a bit of trial and error, but once you find that sweet spot, it’s all smooth sailing and fabulous hair days!