Spring brings a refreshing energy that calls for beauty transformations. If you’re looking to brighten your appearance without a complete makeover, “Light Contour Highlights” might be exactly what you need. This subtle yet striking technique involves strategically placing a few lighter streaks of color around your cheekbones to frame your face beautifully.
What exactly are light contour highlights?
Light contour highlights are the hair equivalent of makeup contouring. Just as makeup artists use lighter shades to accentuate your cheekbones, hair specialists place strategic highlights around your face to create dimension and draw attention to your best features.
“The beauty of contour highlights is their ability to create a natural face-framing effect that enhances bone structure without looking obviously ‘done,'” explains Dana Richards, Color Director at Meridian Salon. “It’s the perfect spring refresh that works with your natural beauty.”
Why they’re perfect for spring 2025
As we move into the brighter days of spring, these subtle highlights catch the sunlight beautifully. They’re especially relevant now because they align with the season’s minimalist beauty trend that focuses on enhancing rather than transforming.
“In spring 2025, we’re seeing clients request more natural-looking enhancements that move with them,” notes celebrity stylist Marcus Chen. “Light contour highlights give that sun-kissed dimension that looks like you’ve spent time outdoors rather than hours in a salon chair.”
The technique behind the trend
Unlike traditional foil highlights that can create stark contrast, contour highlights use techniques like:
- Balayage painting for seamless blending
- Strategic placement focusing on face-framing sections
- Subtle color shifts (typically 1-2 shades lighter than base color)
- Minimal application near cheekbones and jawline
How to style for maximum impact
To showcase your new light contour highlights, consider embracing styles that allow movement around your face. Feathered bangs add dimension and work wonderfully with these highlights, drawing the eye to your cheekbone area.
For longer styles, loose waves that bounce around your cheekbones will maximize the light-catching effect. If you’re dealing with thinning edges, a regular scalp massage can help maintain healthy growth around these highlighted areas.
Perfect pairings for your new highlights
Light contour highlights work beautifully with spring’s fresh-faced aesthetic. Consider pairing with anti-aging serums to enhance your skin’s natural glow alongside your highlighted strands.
Your morning routine can complement this fresh look too. Many clients report that switching to plant milks in their morning coffee enhances their overall spring wellness routine, creating harmony between their beauty choices and lifestyle.
The mental wellness connection
There’s something transformative about subtle beauty enhancements that boost confidence. Positive self-talk patterns often emerge when people feel good about their appearance.
“My clients often say these highlights are like therapy,” smiles colorist Jamie Lewis. “They describe looking in the mirror and seeing themselves, just a bit more radiant. It’s like their hair is catching the light in the same way their spirit is brightening.”
Will this trend work for you?
The versatility of light contour highlights makes them suitable for virtually all hair types and colors. The key is customization—your stylist should assess your face shape, natural coloring, and lifestyle to create a personalized highlighting plan that enhances your unique features.
This spring-perfect technique remains low-maintenance while delivering maximum impact—exactly what we all need as we emerge from winter’s darkness into the promise of brighter days ahead.