Trendy Neapolitan Highlights For Your Hair

Neapolitan hair highlights are the latest trend in the world of hair color, inspired by the beloved trio of Neapolitan ice cream flavors: strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate. This style offers a fun, vibrant, and slightly retro twist on traditional highlights, mixing shades of pink, blonde, and brunette to create a multidimensional, colorful look. Whether you want to make a bold statement or add a subtle hint of color, Neapolitan highlights are versatile and customizable to your personal style.

What Are Neapolitan Hair Highlights?

Neapolitan hair highlights consist of three main colors: pink (representing strawberry), blonde (representing vanilla), and brown (representing chocolate). The idea is to blend these colors throughout the hair in a harmonious way, creating a dynamic, layered look. The combination can range from bold, defined blocks of color to more delicate streaks, depending on your desired level of intensity.

This trend is perfect for those who love playful, pastel-inspired shades but still want to maintain a natural feel with the brown and blonde elements.

Who Can Try Neapolitan Highlights?

One of the best things about Neapolitan highlights is their versatility. This color style works on almost all hair types and textures, making it accessible to a wide range of people. Whether you have straight, wavy, curly, or coily hair, Neapolitan highlights can add dimension and flair. Additionally, the color palette complements various skin tones. While pinks and blondes tend to flatter lighter skin tones, richer, deeper brunettes can balance the look for darker complexions.

If you’re new to hair coloring, it’s advisable to opt for subtler Neapolitan highlights, perhaps focusing more on the brown and blonde shades with a hint of pink. For those who are more adventurous, a more vibrant approach with defined sections of pink can make a striking statement.

How to Achieve the Look

1. Consult with a Professional Stylist

Achieving the perfect Neapolitan hair highlights often requires the expertise of a professional stylist, especially if you’re aiming for a well-blended and balanced color distribution. Before your appointment, bring reference pictures and have a conversation about how bold or subtle you want the colors to be. Your stylist will also consider your hair’s condition, especially if lightening or bleaching is required for the blonde and pink shades.

2. Choose the Right Shades

The beauty of Neapolitan highlights lies in their customizable nature. The traditional shades include:

Strawberry (Pink): Light pastel pinks or deeper rose hues can work here. The shade can range from vibrant hot pink to soft pastel, depending on your preference.
Vanilla (Blonde): Creamy, icy blondes work well, though you can also opt for warmer honey or golden blonde tones depending on your base hair color.
Chocolate (Brown): Choose a rich brown that complements your natural or base hair color. Anything from deep mocha to milk chocolate can be used for this part.

Your stylist may recommend adjusting these shades to suit your skin tone and hair type. For example, those with cooler undertones may look better with icy blonde and cool-toned pink, while warmer undertones may shine with golden blonde and peachy pink hues.

3. Highlight Placement

Neapolitan highlights can be placed in various ways:

Balayage Style: This hand-painted method offers a softer, more natural look where the colors are subtly blended into the hair.
Chunky Highlights: For a bolder, more retro vibe, chunky blocks of pink, blonde, and brown can be placed throughout the hair.
Peekaboo Highlights: If you prefer a more subtle approach, try hiding the pink and blonde highlights under your natural brown hair for a fun pop of color when your hair moves.
Ombre or Dip-Dye: Gradually transitioning from one color to another is another option. For example, you could have pink tips that fade into blonde and then into brown near the roots.

4. Maintaining the Look

Maintaining Neapolitan highlights involves a bit of upkeep, particularly for the pink and blonde shades, which may fade more quickly than brown tones. Here are some key maintenance tips:

Color-Safe Shampoo and Conditioner: Invest in products specifically designed for color-treated hair to keep the hues vibrant for longer.
Minimize Heat Styling: Heat can cause color to fade, so try to limit blow-drying, straightening, or curling your hair. When you do use heat tools, always apply a heat protectant spray.
Regular Touch-Ups: Pink shades, in particular, can fade faster, so you may need to visit your stylist for regular touch-ups every 4-6 weeks.
Hair Masks and Conditioners: To keep your hair healthy and hydrated, especially after bleaching, incorporate deep conditioning treatments or hair masks into your routine.

How to Style Neapolitan Highlights

Once you’ve achieved the Neapolitan look, there are many ways to style your hair to show off the colors:

Loose Waves: Creating beachy waves will enhance the different tones, making the colors blend seamlessly.
Braids: Braiding your hair is a fantastic way to showcase each color, as the intertwined strands display the highlights beautifully.
Sleek and Straight: If you prefer a sleek look, flat-ironing your hair can create a polished appearance while allowing the pink, blonde, and brown hues to stand out distinctly.
Updos and Ponytails: High ponytails, buns, or half-updos can reveal the layers of color for a more playful style.

Pros and Cons of Neapolitan Highlights

Pros:

Unique Look: Neapolitan highlights are eye-catching and distinct, offering a fun take on traditional highlights.
Customizable: You can tailor the intensity of the colors to your liking, from subtle to bold.
Versatile Placement: Whether you prefer all-over highlights, a balayage, or peekaboo style, there are many ways to incorporate the colors.

Cons:

High Maintenance: The pink and blonde tones may require more frequent touch-ups, especially if your hair grows quickly or is prone to fading.
Bleach Damage: If you need to bleach your hair to achieve the blonde or pink shades, some damage may occur, requiring more attention to hair care.

Trendy Neapolitan Highlights For Your Hair