Are you torn between full vs partial highlights and unsure which one is right for you? You’re not alone. This is one of the most common color questions our stylists at Hāste Urban Hair Spa hear from clients.

Maybe you want to brighten your look without a huge commitment, or perhaps you’re ready for a bold transformation.

Whether you’re after subtle dimension or head-turning brightness, this guide will break down the pros, cons, maintenance, and results of both highlighting techniques so you can make the best choice for your hair goals.

What are Partial Highlights?

Partial highlights involve adding lighter pieces to specific sections of your hair, usually the top layer and around the face. They’re perfect for creating a soft, natural glow without fully committing to a new color. Think of it as a sun-kissed refresh that enhances your natural tones without the drama.

👉 We often recommend partial highlights for face framing, especially if you’re looking to brighten your features without the cost or upkeep of a full head of foils.

💡 Quick Tip: Partial highlights pair beautifully with balayage or soft foil work for added depth and dimension without over-processing your strands.

Pros:

• Lower cost than full highlights
• Less damage to the hair
• Great for subtle changes and maintenance

Cons:

• Doesn’t change the overall hair color
• Less impact when you tie your hair up

Are partial highlights for you? Let’s explore the options using the following techniques and colors.

10 Partial Highlight Tones

1. Curls With a Natural Tone

For curly hair, we can apply a partial highlight around the mid-shaft, where most of your curls are located. This gives your hair a light reflection, leaving it with a sun-kissed shine.

2. Subtle Blonde Highlights

Opt for a long bob, relaxed waves, and a subtle blonde highlight that peeks through. The blonde shines through within each wave, adding dimension.

3. Golden Waves

You can add partial blonde highlights to your curly hair to add lots of dimension. We can highlight only the top, and even all over to leave some darkness underneath and at the root. This works perfectly with a long bob.

4. Partial Red Balayage

Accent highlights applied using partial foil or hand-painting highlights on dark hair can add vibrant color. This pop of color is trendy and a great way to try new colors without damaging your hair.

5. Subtle Browns

Adding a shade lighter than your natural color can quickly spice things up. This works well with a soft, sleek hairstyle featuring partial highlights that peek through at the ends.

6. Front-Framing Highlights

With dimensional partial highlights, you can experiment with them to brighten your complexion without altering the overall color of your hair. So, if you’re undecided, go with face-framing highlights.

7. Cool and Playful Colors

Another way to add some panache to your hair using partial highlights is to scatter them through the top layer. With short hair highlights, you can lighten them at the base and create an all-over change by adding partial highlights.

8. Redefined Classic Look

To brighten your brown hair, add warm blonde with bronze tones. You can quickly achieve this with foiled highlights, working from top to bottom, and adding loads of color throughout. Then, leave your bottom half with a natural brunette look.

9. Bronzed and Straight

For those with brunette hair, you can brighten it up with bronze and honey colors to achieve a classic look. This technique creates a soft and natural appearance while still offering a ‘just got my hair done’ look. The balayage technique gives your hair a lived-in look that’s easy to maintain, and we can create playful layers perfect for any time of year with the addition of some toner.

10. Cool-Toned Balayage

The balayage gives your hair a live-in look that is easy to maintain. With some toner, we can create playful layers perfect for any time of the year.

What are Full Highlights?

Full highlights involve lightening hair throughout the entire head from underneath layers to the crown. This technique creates a consistent, all-over brightness that’s perfect for those who want a significant change or need to blend grays.

💡 An excellent option for anyone transitioning from dark to light shades, especially when looking for a bolder style.

Pros:

• Brighter, more dramatic results
• Uniform look when hair is tied or styled
• Ideal for significant color changes or gray coverage

Cons:

• More expensive than partials
• Requires more frequent touch-ups
• Higher risk of dryness or damage without proper aftercare

👉 At Hāste, we always recommend a deep conditioning treatment after full highlights to maintain softness and shine. Come talk to us.

💡 Did you know that there are 13 highlight techniques available? Learn more about each one with us.

10 Full Highlight Tones

1. Blonde-Brunette Beauty

Mix up your hairstyle with brunette and blonde tones for a bronde look. Depending on your hair thickness, you can quickly achieve this look with full highlights in one or two sessions. While maintaining a cool tone, you can accomplish a beige look.

2. Icy Blonde Look

With baby lights, also known as skinny highlights, used all over your hair, you can get that icy blonde look that is trendy at the moment. Curls and a long length will give your blonde hair a fresh look. Still, adding a color to the root provides your hair a lived-in vibe.

3. Multi-Dimensional Full Highlights

When the full highlights are completed from top to bottom, the outcome takes your breath away. This technique works well on straight hair, is suitable for older women, and gives a classic look.

4. Add Multiple Colors

Why not add multiple tones to your locks, like a blonde with a fiery red look? You can even choose other colors, ranging from blonde to purple.

5. Blonde and Red

When you have original highlights done, it can look chunky. So, if you want that gorgeous salon look, you can ask us for a chunky foiled highlight in a variety of colors. You can instantly transform your look with full highlights.

6. Add Warmth With Auburn Red

Okay, this technique is not only about caramel blonde hair highlights and lowlights. Here, we give your hair a warm red tone without going red from root to tip. It provides a softer look and is easier to manage.

7. The Blonde All-Over Classic Look

Have you wanted to be blonde? You can even without bleaching your hair. You only need a few rounds of highlights at Hāste Urban Hair Spa. You will gradually achieve the blonde color you’ve always dreamed of.

8. Hair Highlights For Dark Hair

Get a dreamy tone with your bouncy curls, going from brunette to blonde. Keeping your highlights fewer and farther up between the roots creates a balayage vibe. Your curls will start where the highlight begins, giving you a thicker and more perfect look for long hair.

9. Icy Blonde Look

An all-over color is recommended for the icy blonde look. Minimal natural color will remain to give you that cool blonde look.

10. All-Over Highlights With Layers

Whether you have brown hair or are blonde, adding thin highlights will help you achieve the right color. You’ll have soft, bouncy layers that look classy and make your hair appear healthy.

👉 While here and considering highlights, check out our article on what is a hair color correction.

Full vs Partial Highlights: Pros And Cons

Feature	Full Highlights	Partial Highlights
Coverage	Lightens the entire head, top, sides, back, and underneath	Only lights select areas – usually the top layer or face frame
Look	More dramatic, noticeable change	More natural and subtle
Customization	Ideal for full color shifts or bold tones	Excellent for soft blending or sun-kissed looks
Maintenance	Requires more frequent upkeep (every 6–8 weeks)	Lower maintenance (touch-ups every 8–12 weeks)
Hair Health	More lightener = higher risk of dryness or damage	Less chemical processing, gentler on hair
Cost	Higher due to time, product, and coverage	More affordable (quicker application)
Styling Flexibility	Works well with updos and layered cuts	Best for down styles or casual looks
Best For	Full transformations, covering grays, and even brightness	Enhancing natural color, subtle glow-ups

💡 If you’re still unsure which to choose, ask your stylist for a custom plan. At Hāste, we sometimes recommend starting with full highlights and maintaining the look with partials every few months.

Which One Is Right For You

Choose partial highlights if:

• You want a low-maintenance refresh
• You prefer a soft, sun-kissed effect
• You’re new to hair color or lightening

Choose full highlights if:

• You want a major transformation
• You wear your hair up often and want even coverage
• You’re covering a lot of grays

👉 Still undecided? Book a consultation at Hāste Urban Hair Spa and our expert colorists will guide you based on your hair type, lifestyle, and goals.

Recommendations to Consider When Deciding Between The Two

The Cost: Half highlights are more affordable, but they require frequent visits to maintain. For example, getting full highlights and visiting a salon once or twice a year can be a cost-effective approach. Partial highlights can cost between $100 and $300, while a full highlight can cost between $175 and $500, depending on the length and thickness of your hair.

Health of Your Hair: A healthier option is partial highlights, as you will only lighten some of your hair with succeeding visits, as bleach is applied to your regrowth.

Maintaining Your Hair: A full highlight is more drastic as the growouts are more visible than partial highlights.

Styling: Consider the style you wear, from a ponytail, half-down, bangs, or half-up, as this is essential in deciding between the two. You don’t want uneven color placement.

👉 Also, check out the latest trend in highlights, airy lights that blend in perfectly with your natural hair.

Do Partial Highlights Work On All Hair Colors?

Here is a two-sided answer: yes or no. Anyone can have a partial highlight to adjust the levels and depths of their hair color.

The only time we say no is because many people think that once one is done, it will look like everything is done and be more cost-effective.

Still, from our point of view, having partials done can appear disconnected when viewed from the underside, as it lacks cohesion with the color at the top, for example.

Yet, no matter which one you choose, the important thing is to use the correct products to maintain your fresh color. Hence, it is essential to use a quality shampoo and conditioner.

It will keep your hair hydrated while strengthening it, so why not invest in a deep conditioning treatment after your coloring? Still, if you’ve highlighted your hair and want to return to a gray color, we also have some valuable tips to help you achieve this.

Are You Ready For a Change?

Whether you want to dip your toes into a lighter look or commit to a bold color overhaul, understanding the difference between full and partial highlights is the first step. At Hāste Urban Hair Spa, we’re here to help you choose a style that enhances your beauty while keeping your hair healthy and glowing.

👉 Ready to find your perfect highlight match? Book your appointment today.

💡 Don’t forget to ask about our nourishing post-color treatments to extend the life of your highlights and keep your hair soft and shiny.

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