The Revival of Chunky Highlights: Bold Hair Trends Making a Comeback in 2025
Last update on 2025-10-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Remember when we all thought chunky highlights were firmly in our Y2K past? Well, beauty lovers, what’s old is officially new again! As we dive into 2025’s beauty landscape, chunky highlights have made an unexpected—and absolutely gorgeous—comeback, transforming from a nostalgic throwback into the statement-making look of the moment. This isn’t your early 2000s chunky highlight situation; this is a refined, dimensional take that’s lighting up our feeds and turning heads everywhere. Let’s explore why this bold technique is suddenly everywhere again and how you can make it work for your personal style.
Why This Pinterest Trend Is Taking Over
The viral Pinterest pin that caught my eye features stunning chunky highlights that perfectly balance boldness with sophistication. What makes this particular trend resonate in 2025’s beauty landscape?
- Perfect timing: After years of subtle balayage and lived-in color, beauty enthusiasts are craving something more dramatic and intentional
- Visual impact: The high-contrast nature of chunky highlights creates instant dimension that photographs beautifully for social media
- Celebrity endorsement: With several A-listers debuting bolder highlight patterns in early 2025, the style quickly gained mainstream traction
- Versatility: The modern interpretation works across various hair textures, lengths, and base colors
- Nostalgic appeal: The Y2K revival continues to influence beauty trends, with Gen Z embracing styles they’re discovering for the first time while Millennials revisit their youth with a more sophisticated approach
How to Rock Chunky Highlights in 2025: A Complete Guide
Unlike the stark, often brassy chunky highlights of decades past, 2025’s version is all about strategic placement and complementary tones. Here’s how to nail the look:
Choose Your Highlight Placement
The most flattering chunky highlight styles of 2025 focus on strategic placement rather than all-over application:
- Face-framing chunks: Bold pieces around the face create an instant brightening effect
- Crown highlights: Chunky pieces concentrated on the crown add volume and dimension
- Peek-a-boo chunks: Bold pieces underneath that reveal themselves with movement
- Money piece: An extra-thick, bright section at the front hairline for maximum impact
Select Your Color Contrast
The key to modern chunky highlights is finding the right level of contrast:
- For dark bases: Try caramel, honey, or copper chunks for a sultry vibe
- For blonde bases: Platinum chunks or even pastel tones create a playful dimension
- For redheads: Strawberry blonde or golden copper pieces add fiery dimension
- For the adventurous: 2025 has seen a rise in contrasting fashion colors as chunky highlights—think deep violet pieces in dark hair or peachy chunks in blonde
Maintenance Tips for Lasting Chunks
Keep your bold highlights looking fresh with these essential care tips:
- Invest in a purple or blue shampoo to keep brassiness at bay
- Use a color-depositing conditioner to maintain vibrancy between salon visits
- Apply heat protectant religiously—high-contrast highlights show damage more visibly
- Schedule regular toning appointments every 4-6 weeks to refresh the contrast
- Consider a bond-building treatment like Olaplex or K18 to maintain highlight health
Style Your Chunky Highlights for Maximum Impact
Different styling techniques can enhance or subtly downplay your chunky highlights depending on the occasion:
- For maximum drama: Flat iron your hair straight to showcase the sharp color contrast
- For subtle dimension: Beach waves blend the chunks slightly while still maintaining the effect
- For special occasions: Try a half-up style that strategically displays the placement of your highlights
- For everyday chic: A simple blow-out with a round brush emphasizes the movement between colors
Who Should Try Chunky Highlights?
While anyone can rock this trend with the right customization, chunky highlights work particularly well for:
- Those wanting to add perceived volume to fine or thin hair
- People looking to brighten their complexion without going fully blonde
- Anyone seeking a low-commitment way to experiment with bolder hair colors
- Those who want a style that makes a statement but requires less overall processing than full-head color
Celebrity Inspiration for Your Salon Visit
Save these trending looks to your phone before your next appointment:
- The contrast-heavy money piece highlights seen on several pop stars this spring
- The chunky caramel pieces that have become a signature for certain reality TV favorites
- The “invisible chunk” technique pioneered by celebrity colorists that creates bold pieces that seamlessly blend when styled certain ways
- The “reverse chunk” trend where darker pieces are added to lighter bases for depth and dimension
Ready to Make a Statement with Chunky Highlights?
Last update on 2025-10-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you’re inspired to embrace this bold, beautiful trend, save this article and book that salon appointment! Tag us @theglowgrovehq in your chunky highlight transformation photos—we’d love to feature your new look on our Pinterest board dedicated to 2025’s boldest hair transformations. Want more trending beauty inspiration? Follow us at pinterest.com/theglowgrovehq for daily updates on everything from “glazed donut skin” to the “cherry cola lip trend” that’s taking over this season. Your next beauty obsession is just a pin away!
Have you tried chunky highlights before? Are you brave enough to revisit them in their 2025 iteration? Let us know in the comments below!