Black hair with dark copper highlights makes a striking and stunning beauty statement, and can easily fit in with most complexions and styles.

Ash blonde tones will help soften the intensity of your black locks for an elegant balayage effect, creating a cool-toned and sophisticated balayage look. Subtle reddish hues enhance your natural black base to produce an alluring and radiant glow that radiates with life and charm.

The Benefits

Black hair makes a bold statement all on its own, but adding copper highlights can amp up its impact even further. Copper highlights add depth to dark locks while creating an eye-catching contrast with their natural hue. This look works for any hair style ranging from sleek straight locks to loose coils.

Copper highlights can also be showcased with a wavy style; FKA Twigs displayed this effect with her face-framing tendrils that complemented her vibrant red makeup look.

To achieve the look, your stylist will apply a lightening product to specific sections of your hair, depending on how lightening-heavy you want it. They may leave it on for as long as necessary depending on the desired level of lightening.

After that, they will employ a highlighting technique to add dye in selected areas, producing an elegant combination of copper and buttery blonde tones that emphasize depth and dimension of your locks. You can help maintain vibrant highlights with toning shampoo as well as by protecting them from sun exposure with hats or products with UV protection features.

Preparation

If you have naturally black hair, adding warm caramel highlights may provide an elegant contrast against your natural hue. For something bolder, why not go for an ombre or brown-to-copper transformation using lightening products such as L’Oreal Paris Excellence Universal Nudes Permanent Hair Color 7NR Natural Copper which features gold, mahogany and red pigments for vibrant yet natural-looking color results.

Iced platinum blonde is another popular highlight shade for dark hair, featuring cool blue undertones that complement most skin tones. However, if your complexion contains pink or red undertones then opting for warmer golden blonde would likely be more suitable.

Magenta hues make an eye-catching statement on dark hair when used to create a color block style. To do so, your stylist must pre-lighten large sections of the head and face frame before applying vivid hair colors such as Koleston Perfect 0/65 Violet Blond. To maintain vibrant results with this new hue use toning shampoos or protection from sun hats/sprays to maintain its vibrancy.

Styling

Copper hair colors will gradually lighten with regular washings and exposure to sunlight, but you can help it retain its vibrant hue by using products designed specifically for colored locks. Protect your locks when going outside by wearing a hat or scarf; deep conditioning regularly will prevent dryness; plus scheduling regular touch-up appointments will guarantee the shade remains true and vibrant.

Copper balayage works beautifully on all skin tones and eye colors, but its striking beauty stands out against black hair. The dramatic contrast between the dark base and fiery highlights creates an eye-catching look. You can opt for just face-framing highlights or go all-out with this style; intensity levels can be customized accordingly. It also requires less maintenance since painting on highlights rather than bleaching all your locks is required for this low maintenance option.

Maintenance

Partial highlights are an effective way to add texture and dimension without bleaching your entire head. They involve lightening specific sections of hair before applying copper color for a subtle look that highlights your natural hue. Furthermore, partial highlights reduce damage and the need for frequent touch ups by lightening certain sections and applying copper.

Add warmth and dimension with warm caramel or blonde shades that enhance black hair beautifully, or try face-framing highlights that gently brighten up your complexion without dramatic alteration of appearance.

Avoid fashion colors like purple or red when styling dark hair with highlights, as these may cause severe damage that will require regular touchups. Work with an experienced stylist who understands your shade of hair to prevent premature damage. Use heat protectants and deep conditioner designed for color-treated locks to maintain highlights for longer.