Watermelon highlights, also known as zebra highlights, are among the most striking and daring hair color trends available. The name of this technique is self-explanatory: it produces contrasting color stripes that resemble the patterns of a zebra or the vivid hues of a watermelon. For people who wish to use their hair to make a bold statement, this style is sure to turn heads.
This innovative technique for highlighting blends light and dark areas to produce a dramatic yet playful and edgy look. It’s definitely not for the timid, but it can be customized to your exact tastes, whether you’re looking for a subdued look or a striking contrast.
| Pros | Cons |
| Bold, eye-catching look | Can be hard to maintain |
| Works with different hair colors | Requires frequent touch-ups |
| Adds contrast and dimension | Not suitable for all occasions |
| Trendy and modern style | May damage hair if done repeatedly |
- What is it?
- Who is suitable for highlighting with the "Zebra" technique?
- On light hair
- On dark hair
- On light brown hair
- On short, medium and long
- Zebra highlighting technique
- Main differences from classic highlighting
- Price in the salon and for home use
- Video on the topic
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What is it?
This type of highlighting involves coloring specific strands in a way that produces distinct, even stripes of contrasting hues: light (wheat, light brown, golden, milky) and dark (chestnut, chocolate, black). This gives the pattern its intriguing and memorable name, "zebra."
It is crucial that the strands are colored equally apart in order for the effect to be more noticeable. In the end, you can only achieve the desired outcome by paying attention to these conditions.
Zebra (or watermelon) highlights are a striking and original hair color style that creates a high-contrast look with contrasting stripes of light and dark hues. This striking look has benefits like giving your hair more body and dimension, but it also has drawbacks like the maintenance needed to keep the stark contrast. For those who want to create a bold statement, this technique is perfect because it requires precise sectioning and coloring to achieve the striped effect. It does, however, look great on self-assured people who enjoy being noticed, and it goes well with specific hair textures and lengths.
Who is suitable for highlighting with the "Zebra" technique?
Undoubtedly, "zebra" is such a striking hue that not everyone finds it appealing. Those who dare enough, though, will be showered with admiring looks, attention, and praise. That kind of highlighting makes it impossible to go unnoticed.
Blurred boundaries will not produce the desired effect, so a sharp contrast between the light and dark strands is necessary for the "zebra" to look beautiful and accurate.
On light hair
This kind of coloring looks great on natural blondes because dark dye lays on naturally light hair evenly and effortlessly. This is crucial because any mistakes made by the hairdresser, no matter how small, will show through and you run the risk of getting bright streaks on your curls instead of the trendy highlighting of the moment.
On dark hair
Because there is a maximum contrast between the black and light strands, this type of highlighting will look especially bright and impressive on burning brunettes.
On light brown hair
The "zebra" will not look any worse on your curls if you are a light brown, but it is crucial to make sure the color scheme is either warm or cold depending on your natural shade.
On short, medium and long
Furthermore, "zebra" highlighting should never be applied to extremely short hair; a "pixie" cut is an absolute no-no. However, a bob—of any length—is the best choice. If your bangs are asymmetrical, the effect will be particularly fashionable and voluminous. Alternatively, you can dye just the bangs. We refer to this option as zonal highlighting. Zebra styles such as "Italian," "ladder," and similar multi-layered haircuts look great on long hair as well.
Zebra highlighting technique
It is not advised to do this process yourself at home without the required skills and knowledge because it is highly difficult to perform such coloring qualitatively so that the stripes are even, clear, and not blurred. Don’t be lazy and call a skilled colorist if you want a nice outcome.
- Wash your hair with shampoo and dry it slightly. It is important that the strands are still a little damp.
- Comb the curls and straighten them with an iron.
- Dye the strands symmetrically from the parting in both directions: apply paint and wrap your hair in a piece of foil.Leave the dye on your hair for 30-40 minutes.
- After the exposure time has elapsed, rinse your hair thoroughly, and then apply the mask
- After about five minutes, rinse your hair again, dry with a hairdryer and style.
There is an intriguing alternative if you’re worried about damaging the integrity of your hair: you can dye just the top strands. The harm is substantially reduced, and the outcome is nearly identical to that of full highlighting.
Main differences from classic highlighting
Every representative of the fair sex eventually reaches a turning point when change is desperately needed in their souls. And highlighting is the easiest and most accessible way for any woman or girl to make a change in her appearance. Although there are a ton of variations, the traditional or classic style has remained incredibly popular for many seasons and will never go out of style.
The idea is that individual small strands are lightened by multiple (up to three) tones when using classic highlighting. You will thus receive the most natural effect.
However, the "zebra" does not promote naturalness; rather, the key component of this technique lies in the striking contrast between the dark and light threads. Additionally, the outcome improves with brighter contrast.
Price in the salon and for home use
The cost will vary depending on the color you select, but you will pay a lot less at home than in a professional salon. Between two hundred and eight hundred rubles can be spent, not including the cost of any additional tools like foil, a flat brush, gloves, a cape, and so forth.
If you do the highlights yourself, though, you can’t be certain that the outcome will be precisely what you had in mind.
The cost will vary depending on a number of factors, such as the length and thickness of your hair, the salon’s reputation, and the experience of your master. A self-taught or novice master’s work, for instance, will cost many times less.
If your hair is longer than your shoulders, zebra highlighting in Moscow salons can cost you anywhere from six to thirteen thousand (if your curls reach your waist).
Zebra highlights, sometimes referred to as watermelon highlights, are a striking and distinctive way to give your hair contrast and individuality. Any hairstyle can stand out with this style because it features alternating light and dark stripes that give it a playful yet edgy look. For those who prefer something other than classic highlights, it’s perfect.
But it’s crucial to keep in mind that achieving the ideal color balance for zebra highlights calls for a deft hand. Keeping the look current may require extra time and care, depending on your hair type and natural shade. You should also think about how this style’s boldness complements your overall look and personal preferences.
To get a better idea of how zebra highlights could change your hair, look at before and after pictures before making the decision. To make sure that it complements your skin tone, lifestyle, and face shape, speaking with a hairstylist is also a smart idea.
