Neopolitan Hair Highlights Ideas for Women 2024: Vibrant Looks for Curly, Straight, and Short Hair
Are you ready to make a bold statement with your hair in 2024? If you love playful and vibrant hair colors, Neapolitan hair highlights are the perfect way to mix bold shades with classic elegance.
In this article, we’ll explore 27 different ways to embrace this colorful trend, from curly to straight hair, short to long, and more. Which style will suit your look and lifestyle? Read on to discover everything you need to know about the best Neapolitan highlights for every hair type.
Classic Neapolitan Highlights for Brunettes
Neapolitan highlights bring a sweet mix of strawberry pink, vanilla blonde, and chocolate brown to brown hair. For brunettes, this style creates an artistic contrast, with thin strands of light blonde and soft pink framing the face. It suits women with black hair or dark brown hair, as it adds vibrant lightness without overwhelming their natural base color. This classic look is perfect for those seeking a subtle yet creative change, especially for straight or wavy hair textures.
To maintain the brightness of these colors, use products designed for color-treated hair like Redken Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo. It’s sulfate-free and will help preserve the vibrancy of the blonde and pink highlights. Additionally, a hydrating mask like the Moroccanoil Color Depositing Mask is a great way to keep those colored strands nourished.
Neapolitan Balayage with Soft Transitions
For those who prefer a more gradual blend, Neapolitan balayage creates smooth transitions between the pink, vanilla, and chocolate tones. This style is ideal for women with straight hair or soft waves, allowing the colors to melt naturally. The balayage technique ensures that the highlights look sophisticated and effortless, perfect for both professional and casual settings.
To keep the color smooth and vibrant, use Pureology Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner. The formula provides long-lasting hydration while ensuring the pigments remain rich. Also, a leave-in conditioner like Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Primer will protect against heat and environmental damage.
Short Bob with Neapolitan Highlights
The short bob is a timeless cut, and with Neapolitan highlights, it takes on a new playful edge. Thin pink and blonde highlights scattered through a dark brown or black hair base create a bold contrast that stands out beautifully. This style is perfect for women who want a short hair look with a bit of daring flair. It’s particularly flattering on women with oval or heart-shaped faces.
To ensure your highlights stay fresh, opt for Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo, which strengthens the hair while preserving the brightness of your color. For styling, a texturizing spray like Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray can add volume and definition to the layers.
Neapolitan Ombre on Long Hair
For those with long hair, a Neapolitan ombre effect offers a cascading blend of chocolate, pink, and vanilla from root to tip. This look is stunning on women with straight hair or soft waves, as it allows the colors to flow smoothly. The deeper brown at the roots gradually lightens to blonde and pink, creating a dramatic yet elegant finish.
To keep the ends from drying out, use Living Proof Restore Instant Protection Spray before styling with heat. A weekly deep-conditioning treatment with Kérastase Nutritive Masquintense will also help keep the hair soft and smooth.
Neapolitan Highlights on Curly Hair
Curly hair with Neapolitan highlights offers an exciting combination of texture and color. The tight curls provide the perfect canvas for showcasing pops of pink, blonde, and chocolate, creating a dynamic, multi-dimensional effect. This look is ideal for women with natural curls who want to add depth and vibrancy to their locks.
To keep your curls moisturized and frizz-free, use DevaCurl SuperCream Coconut Curl Styler. For added definition, scrunch in Mizani True Textures Curl Enhancing Lotion while your hair is damp to lock in the moisture and color.
Neapolitan Highlights for Pixie Cuts
The pixie cut with Neapolitan highlights is a bold and edgy option for women with short hair. Thin streaks of pink and blonde give dimension to the cropped layers, making the overall look more dynamic. This style works best for women with straight hair or slightly wavy textures, as it enhances the sharpness of the cut.
To keep your pixie sleek and stylish, use Aveda Smooth Infusion Style-Prep Smoother before blow-drying. Add L’Oréal Professionnel Tecni Art Fix Anti-Frizz Spray for a lightweight, lasting hold that keeps the frizz at bay while maintaining the vibrancy of the color.
Neapolitan Money Piece Highlights
For a bold yet simple look, money piece highlights in Neapolitan colors are a great option. This involves highlighting only the strands framing the face with pink, blonde, and brown hues. The rest of the hair can remain dark, giving the face a fresh, brightened appearance. This style suits women with any hair type but looks especially striking on straight hair or wavy lobs.
To keep the money pieces bright, use Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo to neutralize brassiness in the blonde sections. Follow with Davines OI Oil for a glossy, smooth finish that enhances the shine of the highlighted pieces.
Wavy Lob with Neapolitan Hues
A wavy lob is always trendy, but adding Neapolitan highlights gives it a fresh and playful vibe. The mix of pink, blonde, and chocolate hues complements the waves, creating depth and dimension. This style is perfect for women with wavy or straight hair, and it flatters most face shapes, especially oval and round.
For soft, touchable waves, apply Ouai Wave Spray to damp hair and air dry or diffuse. Finish with IGK Beach Club Volumizing Texture Spray to add volume and texture to the waves without weighing them down.
Subtle Neapolitan Highlights for Fine Hair
For those with fine hair, subtle Neapolitan highlights offer a light and playful touch. The combination of delicate blonde hair, soft pink, and chocolate tones adds just enough contrast to create dimension without overwhelming fine strands. This look works particularly well for women with naturally lighter brown hair or straight hair, as it enhances texture and depth without adding bulk.
To care for fine hair with highlights, use a lightweight shampoo and conditioner, like Biolage Volume Bloom Shampoo and Conditioner. These products add volume while keeping the hair hydrated and soft. To enhance shine and prevent frizz, finish with Living Proof No Frizz Nourishing Oil.
Neapolitan Highlights on Blonde Base
For those with blonde hair, Neapolitan highlights offer a striking contrast, blending pink and chocolate hues into the light blonde base. This style is especially eye-catching for women with straight hair, as the highlights create a bold, multi-tonal effect. It’s perfect for those looking to add a fun twist to their natural blonde while maintaining an elegant look.
To maintain your color, use Redken Color Extend Blondage Shampoo to prevent brassiness and keep the blonde bright. For additional moisture and shine, Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil will help repair and nourish color-treated hair.
Neapolitan Highlights with Chocolate Tones
For women who prefer a darker, more sophisticated take on Neapolitan hair highlights, chocolate tones blended with pink and blonde can add richness to brown hair or black hair. This look works particularly well on black women or brunettes with medium-length hair, giving a sultry, multi-dimensional effect that enhances both wavy and straight hair.
Use Pureology Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner to maintain moisture and protect the vibrancy of the highlights. Add Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil for extra shine and smoothness.
Face-Framing Neapolitan Highlights
Face-framing highlights are perfect for those who want to focus on enhancing their facial features while keeping the rest of the hair simple. This style highlights the strands around the face with soft pink, blonde, and chocolate hues, adding brightness and color in just the right places. It’s ideal for women with straight or curly hair, as the color adds dimension without being overpowering.
To maintain the brightness of the highlights, use Fanola No Yellow Shampoo for blonde tones and Davines OI Oil for smoothness and shine. These products will help keep the highlighted pieces healthy and vibrant.
Neapolitan Highlights on Layered Hair
Layered cuts can enhance the playfulness of Neapolitan hair highlights by adding movement and depth. Thin streaks of pink, blonde, and chocolate scattered throughout the layers create a vibrant, dynamic look. This style works best for women with medium-length straight hair or waves, as the layers help showcase the contrast between the colors.
To care for layered hair with highlights, use Moroccanoil Moisture Repair Shampoo and Conditioner to keep hair hydrated and strong. A light styling cream like Ouai Finishing Crème will add definition to the layers without weighing them down.
Neapolitan Highlights with Rose Gold Accents
Adding rose gold accents to Neapolitan highlights gives the overall look a more delicate, feminine feel. The combination of chocolate, pink, and blonde with a hint of rose gold creates a soft, romantic style that suits women with curly hair or soft waves. This style is especially flattering on brown hair or lighter brunettes.
Use Joico K-Pak Color Therapy Shampoo and Conditioner to protect your hair color and enhance shine. For added softness and curl definition, apply DevaCurl SuperCream Coconut Curl Styler.
Chunky Neapolitan Highlights for a Bold Look
For those who want to make a bold statement, chunky highlights in pink, blonde, and chocolate hues offer an eye-catching option. This style is perfect for women with short hair or straight hair, as the large sections of color create a striking contrast against a dark or light base. It’s a great option for those looking to embrace a more daring look in 2024.
To keep the highlights vivid, use Matrix Total Results Keep Me Vivid Shampoo and Conditioner. For added protection and shine, use Kérastase Elixir Ultime Oil.
Neapolitan Streaks on Dark Hair
Neapolitan streaks on dark hair offer a unique, vibrant contrast that stands out. Thin strands of pink and blonde woven through black hair or dark brown hair create a fun and playful look. This style suits black women or brunettes with medium to long straight hair, adding a pop of color while maintaining the elegance of a darker base.
To maintain the vibrancy of these streaks, use SheaMoisture Purple Rice Water Shampoo and Conditioner to strengthen and protect colored hair. A lightweight shine serum like Verb Ghost Oil can add a sleek finish to the streaks.