Chunky highlights are one of many 90s trends that have made a comeback, and it seems like it's here to stay in 2023. Unlike classic highlights, which brighten the hair subtly with a seamless blend of lighter pieces, chunky highlights bleach wider strips of hair, creating a more dramatic differentiation between the high and lowlights. Celebrity Stylist Guy Tang recommended using caramel highlights for anyone wanting to try this trend. "Caramel highlights work for all skin tones and are a great way to brighten up the complexion," he told Real Simple.
Chunky highlights are a great 90s throwback, but they're more than just a throwaway trend. If you have thin hair, the alternating colors can make it look thicker. Celebrity hairdresser, Sinéad Kelly, explained the benefits of chunky highlights to Stylist, saying, "On fine hair, chunky highlights can help to create the illusion that the hair is fuller, with more body, due to the placement of contrast between light and dark tones. It's similar to contouring your face with make-up."
This style is great if your hair has a natural curl or wave, but Kelly warned the color is harder to show on straight hair. For that reason, she advised, "a key thing to take into consideration if you have straight hair is how much time you'll take to style the look ... If you're able to braid the hair, to achieve a wave, kink, or curl, it will really enhance the color."
