We often talk about sun-kissed locks, but what about moonlit strands? In a break from the beachy look, hair twilighting is trending in 2021. Designed to add warm flashes of light to dark hair, this lust-have technique creates depth and definition. But it’s not just for brunettes; deep brondes and vampy redheads can get a twinkly glow, too.
Want in? Discover how you can create the look for your salon clients, giving them glittering twilights inspired by the moonlight – not a certain vampire movie.
What is Twilighting?
Twilighting sees brunette balayage Opens in a new tab and babylights Opens in a new tab combine. Sometimes, they’re applied side by side, while other times the techniques are fused together for freehand, micro-fine highlights. The definitive way to work the trend is through a dark or medium brown base, giving the impression of soft, glowing light hitting strands as the sun disappears beyond the horizon.
These hair twilights can be soft and subtle or starker in contrast, depending on how bold your client wants their brighter ribbons to appear. The goal is to add a scattering of warm tones that make dark hair positively glow, while boosting radiance through the face-framing layers for the dreamiest dimension.
But, as we said before, this trend isn’t just for brunettes. Clients who crave red brown Opens in a new tab or bronde hair Opens in a new tab can try it too, adding pumpkin spice Opens in a new tab tones to a hazelnut base or caramel Opens in a new tab richness to a lighter brown. Twilighted hair reflects warmth in the most flattering way, giving dark-haired clients a way to embrace their own style of sun(set)-kissed lengths.
How to Twilight Hair
Blonde highlights on dark hair always begin with some level of lifting. Use a hair lightener Opens in a new tab that works with your balayage Opens in a new tab, foilyage Opens in a new tab and babylights technique, like Blondor Freelights Opens in a new tab. The ultimate all-rounder; it can be applied for air or foil developing, and the adhesive mass means it stays in place when sweeping through with freehand strokes. Aim for a lift one to three shades lighter than the base for twinkling twilights, and stroke your formula in alternating babylights and balayage. Concentrate brightness through the face.
Then, allow the lightener to develop, rinse it out and tone hair to the perfect warm shade for your client. Look to golden hues that replicate the glow of twilight.
6 Twilighting Hair Ideas For Glowing Locks
1. Twilighting on Chocolate Brown Hair
Image Credit: @fredyhair Opens in a new tab
Chocolate brown hair Opens in a new tab teams flawlessly with twilighting. Adding delicious milky ‘lights through cocoa-ed strands, the technique ensures every curve and curl in the hair truly strands out. Create the look by toning blonde highlights Opens in a new tab with Illumina Color Opens in a new tab 7/35 + 7/7; two golden blondes that pop when the (twi)light catches them.
2. Subtle Twilighting
Image Credit: @kalnascimentostudio Opens in a new tab
The sombre Opens in a new tab (subtle ombre Opens in a new tab) of the twilighting world; this soft and seamless look sees ‘lights shift one shade lighter than the dark brown base for added movement and tonality. Blondor Multi-Blonde Powder Opens in a new tab + 4% was applied in foiled babylights and balayage, before Illumina Color 7/7 + 10/38 was used to tone. It’s our go-to color product for light-reflective strands.
3. Copper Twilighting
Image Credit: @kalnascimentostudio Opens in a new tab
For clients who want to dabble with red hair Opens in a new tab but maintain a dark brown base, copper Opens in a new tab twilighting is perfect. It gives locks a warm, metallic boost that sets brunette tones aglow. To recreate this shade, try blending babylights through the front and sweeping balayage in the back, before toning pre-lightened strands with Illumina Color 7/43 + 9/43.
4. Cool-Toned Twilighting
Image Credit: @chloebradburyhair Opens in a new tab
We talk a lot about warmer tones when twilighting clients’ hair, but here’s proof that cool blonde Opens in a new tab ribbons can also work for a crisper, cleaner contrast. For this ‘do, Chloe Bradbury Opens in a new tab has applied micro-fine foilyage with Blondor + 1.9%, painted Color Touch Opens in a new tab 5/97 + 1.9% through mid-lengths and ends, then toned blonde pieces in 7/97.
5. Bronde Twilighting
Image Credit: @fredyhair Opens in a new tab
Packed with Blondor Freelights babylights and balayage, this bronde mane is high on gloss, richness and depth, with caramel twilights glittering over a dark blonde-light brown base. Fredy Siqueira Opens in a new tab toned with Illumina Color 8/69 + 7/43 + 8/37 to finish.
6. Twilight Money Piece
Image Credit: @oneday.hair
Bump up twilighting with a bold money piece for three covetable trends in one: babylights, balayage and face-framing highlights Opens in a new tab that make the complexion glow. Ensure clients who try this look have a purple shampoo Opens in a new tab as they’ll prevent a warm, gilded money piece from turning brassy.
