A timeless hairstyle that is always in style is the extended bob, which gains a whole new look when paired with highlights. Highlighting enhances the haircut’s inherent beauty by adding depth, texture, and movement. Highlights can give your bob a new and exciting look, whether you’re trying to add subtle contrast or brighten it up.
An extended bob can be highlighted in a variety of ways, from traditional blonde streaks to striking, contemporary styles like balayage or babylights. Every technique has a distinct effect that lets you personalize your look to fit your tastes and personality. Real-world before and after pictures might serve as an inspirational manual if you’re curious about how these techniques can alter your appearance.
We’ll look at some of the most well-liked highlighting methods for an extended bob in this post. You’ll observe how various dyes and styling techniques can improve your hair and give it a refined and fashionable look.
- Types of highlighting on an extended bob
- Classic
- California
- French
- Veil
- Partial
- “Feathers”
- Peek-a-Boo
- Crazy colors or bright strands
- Two-tone
- Elongated bob with highlights for different hair colors
- On light hair
- For brunettes
- On light brown hair
- Selection of highlighting shades for an elongated bob
- Light
- Dark
- Ash
- Red
- Red
- Violet
- How much does highlighting on an elongated bob cost in a beauty salon
- Highlighting an elongated bob at home: tools and step-by-step instructions
- Using foil
- On a cap
Types of highlighting on an extended bob
A well-chosen highlighting technique will draw attention to the features of the appearance and enhance the beauty of the hairstyle’s main tone.
Classic
The traditional method of highlighting entails coloring each individual strand all the way along the length. Light hues that are three tones lighter than the primary hair color are typically selected. The master can choose thicker or thinner strands, apply frequent highlighting, or leave more of the client’s natural hair in place at their request.
Classic highlighting on an extended bob helps to visually amplify the hairstyle’s volume and give the picture a little lift.
California
California highlights are a more understated take on the traditional style. The effect of burnt-out strands is produced during the coloring process; the hair stays darker at the roots and becomes slightly lighter at the ends. Additionally, discrete strokes resembling sun glare are added throughout the entire volume of hair.
Crucial! Californian coloring uses up to five dye tones and is done in an open manner without foil.
French
The gentle French method uses specialty dyes to color only a portion of the hair. Rather than burning hair, they take care of it because they are made of wax. Such highlighting contributes to the elongated bob image by making the face appear younger and more expressive.
Veil
Veiling has a narrower selection of strands—up to 3 mm thick—than classic highlighting. In this instance, the lower hair layer is left unprocessed and only the top layer is processed. The elegant and sophisticated veil effectively conceals gray hair, adding refinement to the overall appearance.
Partial
A maximum of 40% of the total volume of hair is colored when partial highlighting is applied. Only the bangs, the back of the head, or the curls that frame the face may occasionally be lighter. One strand can be highlighted expressively to draw attention to the haircut’s geometry. A bolder choice would be to draw attention to the left or right side of the head.
“Feathers”
"Feathers," which highlights numerous contrasting strands throughout the hair, is a great choice for an extremely short bob. Using a cap, the dye is applied while the chosen frequency and density of the "feathers" are monitored.
Peek-a-Boo
It appears that this method was developed for every type of bob, including ones that have lengthening. Essentially, it involves dying the bottom third of the hairstyle a contrasting bright or dark shade. You can safely dye the bangs in the chosen color if they are part of the hairstyle.
Crazy colors or bright strands
Bold girls who wish to stand out from the crowd tend to go for crazy colors. The widest selection of shades is available. From violet to gray, from acid green to blue-black, and from fiery red to crimson.
Counseling! You can use hair chalks, tonics, and tinting balms in addition to permanent dyes to draw attention to "bright strands."
Two-tone
This is an additional short bob option with more subdued classic tones. Using two basic shades is the coloring principle. They should complement each other while also contrasting with the base hair color. The pigments that look best together are those that share the same color scheme.
Elongated bob with highlights for different hair colors
Take the original hair color into consideration when selecting a highlighting technique for a bob with an extension. Certain coloring options work best on dark hair, while others work best on light or light brown hair.
On light hair
Light-colored or naturally occurring hair makes a great veiling base. The Ice Tint veil technique appears particularly elegant and unique. The primary hair color is subtly shaded by cold icy blond, which gives the look elegance, sublimity, and weightlessness.
It will look good to use French highlighting with haphazardly colored strands. Traditional highlighting can also be a good choice, and shades can be selected that are lighter or darker than the base color.
For brunettes
The only ways to get a beautiful shade on dark hair are with aggressive oxidizers or with preliminary bleaching. Dark hair color can be subtly revived with partial, French, and Californian highlighting without undergoing significant alterations.
Balayage is an intriguing option for brunettes. Several paint strokes that are similar to the base tone are applied to the hair during the process. Because of this, a dark haired bob with extensions gains naturalness and playfulness, and the curls seem to shimmer in the light.
On light brown hair
Any shade of light brown hair works well for all kinds of highlighting. Any kind of dye will react with the strands; this is sufficient to determine the holding time accurately.
On light brown hair, styles like California, zonal, classic, Two-tone, Peek-a-Boo, "Feathers," and veil will all look stunning. Here, you can expertly blend various palette colors, create lovely transitions, and draw attention to specific hairs that are close to the face.
An extended bob can look completely different with highlights because they add depth, dimension, and texture to this timeless hairstyle. Popular methods such as foil highlights, ombré, and balayage offer a variety of looks, from delicate sun-kissed tones to strong, eye-catching contrasts. Before and after pictures show how various highlighting techniques sculpt the face and add volume to hair, making this a flexible choice for anyone looking to give their bob a contemporary, dynamic update.
Selection of highlighting shades for an elongated bob
The female color type should serve as the foundation for the palette when selecting a highlighting shade for an elongated bob. Shades of the cold palette are suitable for "winter" and "summer," and warm hues are appropriate for "spring" and "autumn."
Light
The following are cold shades of blond: caramel, nutty, mother-of-pearl, ash, pearl, and silver. You can select wheat, golden, honey, and champagne from the warm tones.
Dark
The primary colors used for dark highlighting are natural ones. Furthermore, brunettes, blondes, and women with brown hair all get colored.
Colors that work well:
- chestnut;
- dark blond;
- mocha;
- coffee;
- chocolate;
- caramel;
- cognac.
Ash
The color ash is a part of the cold range’s light color scheme. Those with light complexion, blue, gray, or dark brown eyes will look good in it.
Different tones of ash:
- ash blond;
- ash pink;
- dark ash;
- pearl ash;
- gray;
- ash purple;
- ash blue;
- ash-caramel.
Counseling! Ash-colored hues work well for covering gray hair, but only if the percentage of gray hair is between 30 and 40 percent.
Red
The warm color scheme of red highlights consists of the following halftones:
- copper;
- fiery red;
- red-blond;
- golden-copper;
- amber;
- red-pink.
These hues complement hair that isn’t naturally darker than light brown. Green, gray, or blue eyes are the perfect colors.
Red
Those with dark skin and green or brown eyes are the ones who should have bright red strands. You can choose between mahogany and red amber. Vibrant pink and raspberry tones accentuate the snow-white complexion. Brown-red, burgundy, mahogany, and cherry are examples of neutral, subdued colors.
Violet
One of the most striking and remarkable hues is violet. It is advised to use it to draw attention to specific strands or to partially highlight them. Natural blonde hair is the most suited color for the purple palette. However, practice will ultimately determine which young ladies will look best in this shade.
It’s worthwhile to try different shades:
- light purple;
- ash purple;
- brown-purple;
- bright purple;
- blue-violet.
How much does highlighting on an elongated bob cost in a beauty salon
Medium-length hair, such as an extended bob, will require foil highlighting, which can run from 1,500 to 2,000 rubles, depending on how intricate the style is. Typically, the price list only shows the service fee without materials. Together with the oxidizer, the coloring composition costs roughly 500 rubles per tube.
Highlighting an elongated bob at home: tools and step-by-step instructions
For medium-length hair, there are two primary methods of highlighting: applying foil and applying a cap. It is advised to choose the latter option for a short bob.
Using foil
What equipment do you need to get ready?
- a bowl for mixing the dye;
- paint with an oxidizer;
- a brush or sponge for applying the paint;
- a comb with a thin handle for selecting strands;
- a massage comb;
- foil cut into wide strips;
- a cape;
- gloves;
- hairpins or hairdressing clips;
- balm, shampoo, optionally – tonic.
Detailed instructions:
- Wrap your shoulders with a cape, comb your hair.
- Divide all hair into several zones – at the temples, on the crown, on the back of the head and in the bangs area.
- Secure each section with a separate clip.
- Mix the dye with the oxidizer, mix thoroughly until smooth.
- Use a thin comb handle to separate one strand, pin it up.
- Apply a little dye to a strip of foil in a couple of strokes and place it under the selected strand.
- Make a bend at the roots so that the dye does not leak.
- Process the strand completely, wrap it in foil in the form of a pocket.
- Separate another bunch, leave it unpainted and pin it to the strand in foil.
- Highlight all hair according to the given scheme.
- Leave the dye on for the time recommended in the instructions. It is advisable to periodically turn back the foil to assess the result.
- Remove the foil, wash off the dye.
- Wash your hair with shampoo, apply conditioner.
Counseling! There’s a possibility that light-colored highlights applied to dark hair will turn the hair yellow. In this instance, it is preferable to give the hair additional treatment with a tonic that contains purple pigment.
On a cap
There is a reduced list of tools when highlighting on a cap:
- bowl for dye;
- brush and massage comb;
- special cap with holes;
- hook for pulling strands;
- cape and gloves.
Items you’ll require shampoo, mask or conditioner, toning agent, and dye with oxidizer.
Guidelines:
- Comb your hair so that there are no tangled locks.
- Put the cap on your head, pressing it well to your head.
- Use a special hook to pull out strands of the same thickness through the same interval of holes (through every first, second, third).
- When all the intended strands are pulled out, prepare the coloring agent according to the instructions.
- Dye all the pulled strands with wide strokes directly on the surface of the cap. If the hair is long, dye the ends on the palm of your hand in a glove.
- Stay the dye in an open way or in another waterproof cap.
- After the allotted time, wash off the dye in the cap.
- Remove the cap and wash your hair again, this time with shampoo and conditioner.
- If desired, the procedure can be completed by applying a tonic.
Popular Highlighting Types | Description |
Babylights | Subtle, fine highlights that add a natural sun-kissed look to the bob. |
Balayage | Freehand technique for a soft, blended transition from darker roots to lighter ends. |
Ombre | Gradual lightening of the hair, starting from darker at the roots to lighter at the tips. |
Foil Highlights | Classic technique using foils to separate and lighten sections of the hair for a bold look. |
Chunky Highlights | Thicker, more pronounced highlights for a dramatic contrast. |
An extended bob with highlights gives you a sleek, contemporary look that can give your hairstyle more depth and dimension. It frequently results in a dramatic transformation, with lighter tones highlighting the bob’s distinctive cut.
There are many different styles to try, ranging from delicate balayage to striking chunky highlights, each lending a unique personality to the longer bob. A subtle glow or a more dramatic effect can be achieved with highlighting, and either way, it can elevate your style.
In the end, highlights are a flexible way to accentuate an extended bob; they offer a timeless appeal that complements a variety of hair colors and types, as well as a fun update.