Chunky Highlights Are Popular Again & These Celebs Are Already Rocking The Trend

You can almost guarantee that some form of highlights will always be trending, from summer 2023's melting honey streaks to summer 2024's chic silver version. Bold and chunky highlights, in particular, are a throwback to both '90s frosty streaks and Y2K skunk hair, and we haven't seen this look come back to the mainstream in the 2020s — until now. This maximalist aesthetic hardly fits in with the reign of subtle quiet luxury, but celebrities like Jennifer Lopez are proving that these thicker highlights are en vogue once more.

"For today's standards, I think this look entails concentration of tones in larger sections — think the opposite of baby lights," says Hollywood-based celebrity hair stylist Travis Ogletree. "It doesn't have to feel like Kelly Clarkson from her 'American Idol' days. A thicker piece around the face, or a bit further down into the mids and ends of your hair can feel both modern and natural. Even doing something low contrast with two brunette tones is interesting."

In an exclusive conversation with Glam, Ogletree reveals that the rising popularity of this trend may come down to people looking for a change after sticking to their natural color during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whatever the motive, JLo is just one star of many embracing this vintage-inspired trend, which is setting the tone for the second-half of 2024.

The beauty of the modern chunky highlights trend is that it's versatile enough to suit any hair color and type. So is it any surprise that we're seeing it on a lot of celebrities in 2024? "The trend is everywhere, sometimes it's just less obvious," Travis Ogletree shares exclusively with Glam. "JLo has gone thicker with her blond sections that read more naturally occurring because of the shadow root, whereas Kim Petras was more overt with thick blond sections in high contrast tones for her last album cycle."

Additionally, Elsa Hosk, Rosie Huntington Whitley, and Sophia Richie have been spotted rocking noticeable chunky blond highlights, including those that frame their faces and those that sit closer towards the tips of their tresses. Again, this trend is certainly not limited to blondies. "For someone who's brunette, I'd take notice of Penelope Cruz and her tonal differences in color as of late for a dimensional low contrast energy," Ogletree adds. "I also noticed lately that a great example of gray blending/chunky sections that leans more 'balayage' is Sarah Jessica Parker." Taking a page out of Parker's book, blending chunky highlights with natural highlights or gray areas in the lower sections of your hair still gives you the effect of this color technique without all the maintenance.

According to Travis Ogletree, there are several ways to interpret the chunky highlights aesthetic. "There's a modern approach that can wink at 'yesterday' and actually feel timeless given we can adopt the technique to any tone and level of contrast," he tells us exclusively. Because there are multiple interpretations of this look, it's important to be specific when you're asking your colorist for it.

"To ask for this look I'd be more focused on bringing in photos that speak to you vs. asking for a trend, and I'd be specific about what it is you like in the photo for the best end results," Ogletree explains. "Communication is key in any successful hair appointment." In addition to knowing exactly what you want and communicating that, Ogletree suggests having a two-way dialogue with your colorist, since their expertise combined with their intimate knowledge of your hair will be priceless in finding the right look for you. "Listen to your stylist if they have any reservations about trying this trend, and be open to pivoting to something they might know would suit you more," he says.

When looking for inspiration to find your ideal version of chunky highlights, try to focus on celebrities who have similar hair types and coloring to you, so you'll get the best idea of which looks will translate well and which won't.