Chunky Highlights & How To Style Them in 2025

If you grew up in the late ‘90s and early 2000s, you probably remember chunky highlights. It seemed like everyone was hopping on this trend, from celebrities to reality TV stars to your BFFs. Fast forward to 2025 and this hairstyle is making a comeback, but with a modern twist.

Are Chunky Highlights in Style in 2025?

Are chunky highlights in style in 2025? Absolutely. The beauty of trends is that they always come back around, and right now, chunky highlights are one of the hottest looks in hair color. But the trick is to update them so they feel fresh and new. 

Now, chunky highlights are about creating dimension and drama in a way that feels contemporary and incorporated into a more flattering shape that works for today’s trends.

Chunky Blond Highlights on Blonde Hair – The Perfect Match

Chunky highlights are one of the easiest ways to ease into a bold new look and with the right technique, you can add stunning depth and texture to all shades of hair color.

How to Do Chunky Highlights No Matter Your Hair Color

Now that you’re thinking about trying this look, you might be asking yourself how to do chunky highlights. Good news: the process doesn’t have to be complicated. The key to achieving modern chunky highlights is in the placement and blending.

Instead of going for the thick, dense streaks that were so popular the first time around, focus on creating softer lines and well-placed pops of color. Chunky highlights should be spaced out, creating contrast without overwhelming the natural flow of your hair. Strategically placing them around your face or the top layer of your hair will give you that "wow" factor without looking too harsh. If you’re feeling more adventurous, you could even try chunky blond highlights in a fashion color or pastel shades, like pale pink or lavender. These unexpected twists can give you a fun, youthful vibe, but still maintain that nostalgic edge.

Are you wondering if it’s possible to do chunky highlights at home? While it’s always a good idea to consult with a hair colorist or visit a professional for a flawless result, doing your hair color on your own at home can be a fun DIY project, especially if you’re looking to save some time and money.

So, the first step is to choose the right product and technique. For at-home highlighting, we recommend using a balayage highlighting kit. This is designed to be applied off of the scalp and root area which is best when lightening your hair at home. When lightening your hair, it is important to set the right expectations and anticipate your hair to lighten your hair by two to three levels. So if you are a medium brown currently, your hair will most likely lift (lighten) to a dark blonde.

Next, you need to decide where you want the pop of highlight. If it is your first time highlighting at home, it might be best to start in front to achieve a chunky highlight effect. Carefully select the sections you wish to highlight and apply the lightener starting about 2” from the root and evenly saturate through the ends. The key here is to go for chunkier, but not overly thick, streaks that create contrast without overpowering your natural color. After washing out your highlights, you will apply a toner to refine the resulting tone of your highlights. If you want to steer away from any brassiness (especially when highlighting darker hair) go for a toner that has cool or ash tones. Check out Lazio Light Works Kit to reduce unwanted red or orange tones in highlighted medium brown to dark brown hair.

If you’re unsure how to start or want to make sure the look is perfect and your hair stays strong, it may be best to visit a salon when doing chunky highlights for the first time.

The Takeaway

If you’re looking for a bold, fun way to update your look, chunky highlights are the perfect option– this trend offers endless possibilities for adding depth and texture to your locks in a different way than your standard foil highlights. By updating the style with strategic placement, soft blending, and modern styling techniques, you can make this Y2K-inspired look feel refreshed and gorgeous in 2025.

So, if you’ve been wondering if chunky highlights are in –the answer is definitely yes. Don’t be afraid to experiment, mix things up, and make this bold look your own.

Tried doing highlights on your own but things didn’t go quite as planned? Check out our blog to learn how to fix highlights at home.