red hair with olive skin

20 BEST DARK HAIR WITH BLONDE HIGHLIGHTS  

No hair trend has stood the test of time quite like blonde highlights—they’re the ultimate glow-up! But can they work with dark hair, like rich brown or jet black?

Absolutely! Blonde highlights add instant brightness to dark hair, creating stunning depth and dimension. Even better, there’s a shade of blonde to complement every dark hair color, whether you want a soft, subtle blend or a bold, high-contrast look. Why choose between dark and blonde when you can rock both? Here are 20 ways to embrace the best of both worlds with dark hair and blonde highlights!

Dark Ash Brown Hair with Platinum Blonde Highlights

Want a luxurious look with a touch of grunge? Try dark ash-brown hair paired with platinum blonde highlights! The striking contrast between the cool, dark tones and icy platinum streaks creates incredible depth and dimension, delivering an edgy yet sophisticated vibe.

Midnight Blue Hair with Silver Blonde Highlights

Midnight blue hair with silver blonde highlights is a captivating style that channels the mystery of the night sky. This striking combination adds mesmerizing dimension with a hint of futuristic flair, complementing any hair length or style. It’s especially breathtaking on wavy locks!

Lustrous Black Hair with Rose Gold Blonde Accents

Want to nail a punk-glam vibe? Opt for sleek black hair with rose gold blonde accents. This look combines the boldness of rich black with the softness of rose gold tones, creating striking contrast and adding intense depth. The result? Hair that appears fuller with a whimsical rose gold finish.

Coal Black Hair with Icy Blonde Ombre


Coal black hair with an icy blonde ombre is the ultimate statement of bold contrast and fierce style. This dynamic pairing adds incredible depth and texture, delivering a flawlessly chic, fashion-forward look that shines on both straight and wavy hair.

Raven-Black Hair with Subtle Sandy Blonde Highlights


If you adore subtle yet striking styles, raven-black hair with sandy highlights is a must-try! The soft sandy blonde accents bring a touch of brightness, adding life and dimension to your rich raven-black locks. This look enhances the beauty of thicker hair, no matter the texture or length.

Dark Walnut Hair with Sun Kissed Blonde Highlights


For effortless radiance, dark walnut hair with sun-kissed blonde highlights is the perfect choice! This understated yet luxurious style pairs rich walnut brown with warm, sunlit blonde tones, adding subtle dimension and a natural glow to any hair type. It’s a look full of life and soft, sunny charm.

Dark Burgundy Hair with Copper Blonde Highlights


Dark burgundy hair with copper blonde highlights is the ultimate blend of drama and rustic charm. The warm, earthy copper tones add vibrant, multi-dimensional brightness to the rich burgundy base. This versatile combo breathes life into straight styles and beautifully enhances waves and curls for a look that’s both bold and adaptable.

Glossy Dark Brown Hair with Butterscotch Blonde Accents


If you love understated (but never overlooked) styles, glossy dark brown hair with butterscotch blonde accents is a must-try. The smooth butterscotch blonde adds a subtle contrast to the rich dark brown, creating natural dimension and a lustrous, luxurious vibe. It’s the perfect low-key look for both straight hair and waves.

Dark Olive Brown Hair with Golden Blonde Highlights


Earthy and elegant—that’s the vibe you get with dark olive-brown hair and golden blonde highlights. This unique twist on the sun-kissed look features a rich, organic brown base, with golden blonde highlights adding warmth and vibrancy. It enhances any hair texture, creating a radiant glow that complements all skin tones.

Deep Brown Hair with Mocha Blonde Highlights


Deep brown hair with mocha blonde highlights is a luxurious pairing that adds a sophisticated boost to any hair type. The rich, creamy mocha blonde highlights create a smooth, complementary contrast with deep brown hair, offering a natural yet summery touch of elegance.

Rich Ebony Hair with Amber Blonde Streaks

Soft and sophisticated—that’s the essence of rich ebony hair with amber blonde streaks. The warm, golden amber blonde perfectly complements the deep tones of ebony hair, offering a subtle contrast that adds brightness and a rich, glowing warmth.

Pitch Black Hair with Bronzy Blonde Balayage

A deep, bronzy blonde is the perfect highlight color for black hair—and for good reason. It adds a subtle touch of illumination, bringing life to your dark locks with a hint of sunlight, all while preserving the luscious, dark, and mysterious allure of your black hair.

Dark Cocoa Hair with Sunlit Blonde Streaks

Looking for something natural with a touch of sparkle? Try dark cocoa hair with sunlit blonde streaks! True to their name, these streaks brighten your rich cocoa brown with a sunny glow, while adding warmth and radiance to your skin for an inviting, luminous effect.

Black-Brown Hair with Soft Beige-Blonde Highlights

For a subtle twist on sleek and sophisticated, try black-brown hair with soft beige-blonde highlights. The creamy beige-blonde highlights add a refined touch of radiance, enhancing the depth of your lustrous black-brown hair with a soft, elegant glow.

Dark Caramel Brown Hair with Warm Blonde Highlights

Opt for a timeless highlighted dark hair look with dark caramel brown and warm blonde highlights! This classic pairing not only brightens your hair but also adds movement to any texture, creating a cozy glow that complements every skin tone.

Lush Black Hair with Smoky Blonde Balayage


Nothing exudes “mysterious allure” quite like lush black hair with smoky blonde balayage. This combination pairs rich black hair with soft, barely-there smoky blonde balayage, creating a subtle contrast that adds natural life to your hair while maintaining that deep, dramatic vibe.

Dark Sable Hair with Honey Blonde Ombre


Dark sable hair with honey-blonde ombre is a sweet, sophisticated style that keeps you looking summer-ready all year long. The honey-blonde ombre beautifully complements dark sable hair with a smooth, soft transition, adding a warm, sun-kissed glow that enhances natural curls and waves.

Inky Black Hair with Silver Ash Blonde Highlights


Looking for the perfect mix of classy and contemporary? Try inky black hair with silver ash-blonde highlights. The striking contrast between deep, mysterious black and bold, modern silver ash-blonde adds powerful dimension, instantly enhancing any hair texture—from sleek, straight strands to bouncy curls and everything in between.

Blackberry Tinted Hair with Golden Blonde Highlights


Blackberry-tinted hair is truly captivating. The rich blend of deep berry tones creates a unique, eye-catching look that adds incredible depth and multi-tonal definition to any hair texture—ensuring you steal the spotlight every time!

Rich Espresso Hair with Toffee Blonde Balayage

Rich espresso hair with toffee-blonde balayage is an indulgent and irresistible look, offering a warm, luscious contrast between deep espresso and smooth toffee-blonde balayage. The golden tones of the balayage create natural definition, flattering any hair texture with a sun-kissed, effortless vibe.

ESSENTIAL OILS FOR DRY SCALP & GENTLE HAIR CONDITIONING MASK

A dry, flaky scalp can be a harmless issue, but it can become bothersome if it leads to itchiness and embarrassing when others notice the white flakes. Here are some natural remedy suggestions, including essential oils that can help alleviate dry scalp.

TREATING DRY, ITCHY SCALP NATURALLY

First, it’s important to distinguish between dry skin and dandruff. While some remedies may help both conditions, dandruff is more complex and requires a different approach.

Dandruff is typically caused by excess oil, resulting in larger, yellowish flakes that are more difficult to remove. An unpleasant odor may also accompany dandruff. If this is your concern, you may need to consider more intensive treatments.

Once you’ve established that you’re dealing with a dry scalp, it’s helpful to identify the underlying cause of the dryness. While you can start using essential oils for dry scalp right away, understanding the root cause can help prevent recurring issues.

Some common causes of a dry scalp include:

  • Stress
  • Poor diet
  • Dehydration
  • Seasonal changes and climate (such as cold, dry winter air or excessive sunlight in summer)
  • Harsh chemicals in shampoos, conditioners, styling products, or other hair treatments
  • Hormonal changes

I recommend being cautious with dandruff shampoos, as the chemicals in these products may exacerbate dry scalp conditions. 

BEST ESSENTIAL OILS FOR DRY SCALP

These essential oils are renowned for their ability to cleanse the sensitive skin of the scalp and enhance hair conditioning. This list serves as an excellent starting point to discover which oils work best with your unique body chemistry.

  • Lavender: Known as one of the best oils for skin care, lavender essential oil is gentle yet potent, featuring antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.
  • Tea Tree: This oil promotes healing of the scalp thanks to its antifungal properties and can also stimulate hair growth.
  • Rosemary: With its antioxidant and antibacterial characteristics, rosemary stimulates the scalp and may promote hair growth.
  • Cedarwood: This earthy oil combats bacteria and fungi with its antiseptic properties, adding shine to hair and serving as a heat protectant.
  • Lemongrass: A popular cleansing oil, lemongrass essential oil is effective for oily hair and helps strengthen hair follicles. It also boasts anti-inflammatory and detoxifying benefits.

A simple apple cider vinegar hair rinse can sometimes provide just what you need to balance your scalp’s skin, eliminate any bacteria contributing to dry scalp issues, and improve your hair’s texture. For many, this may be the only natural hair treatment needed in their routine. Here is a recipe for making apple cider vinegar at home that you can refer to.

Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse

Author: Mama Z

Ingredients

  • ⅓ cup organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar
  • 1⅓ cups purified or distilled water
  • 30-48 drops of essential oils*

Instructions

  • Combine one part apple cider vinegar with four parts water and add your choice of essential oils.
  • Pour the mixture into a squeeze bottle or a repurposed shampoo bottle.
  • After shampooing, apply the rinse to clean, wet hair in the shower.
  • Gently massage it into your scalp and the roots of your hair, allowing it to soak for 3-5 minutes.
  • Rinse thoroughly. You may find that you don’t need to use as much conditioner after this treatment.

Notes: The ratio for this recipe is 1 part vinegar to 4 parts water. Feel free to adjust the quantities as needed for your family.

*Recommended essential oils include lavender, tea tree, cedarwood, lemongrass, and rosemary. Use about 15-20 drops per cup.

If your dry scalp requires more intensive moisturizing, this natural hair and scalp treatment is just what you need! Customize the essential oils to find the perfect match for your skin. Keep in mind that it may take a few applications and some time to heal your scalp. Here’s Mama Z’s at-home hair mask recipe for you to try!

NATURAL HAIR MASK TREATMENT

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 tablespoons aloe vera gel
  • 2 tablespoons organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon carrier oil or raw organic local honey*
  • 24-30 drops of your choice of essential oils**

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Combine all the ingredients to create a hair treatment mixture.
  • Apply the natural hair mask to your scalp, ensuring it penetrates the skin to help eliminate bacteria and flakes.
  • Start at the crown of your head or your natural part, working the mask down your scalp. A wide-tooth comb can help distribute the mask effectively if needed.
  • Cover your head with a shower cap or a clean towel, allowing the mask to soak in for 15-20 minutes or as long as desired.
  • Rinse thoroughly and shampoo or condition as usual, though you may find you don’t need as much conditioner after this treatment.

Notes:

  • Follow this mask with my Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse to balance your hair’s pH and remove any excess product. Use an organic, unscented conditioner on the ends of your hair.
  • I recommend using a scalp massager to thoroughly work the hair mask into your scalp. For extra care, you can use a Nix lice comb to remove any leftover particles from your hair and scalp.
  • To complete your hair care routine, consider applying our Hair Regrowth Gel.

*Avoid coconut oil, as it can dry out the skin. Opt for jojoba, argan, almond, or olive oil instead; jojoba is particularly good for adding shine. Honey is also a great option for moisturizing and can help tame frizz.

**Suggested essential oils include cedarwood, lavender, lemongrass, tea tree, and rosemary. My favorite blend is equal parts peppermint, rosemary, and tea tree.

This treatment makes for a wonderful weekly ritual, especially while you unwind in a detox bath or simply to rejuvenate your scalp’s skin.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, essential oils offer a natural and effective solution for addressing dry scalp and promoting healthy hair. By carefully selecting oils like lavender, rosemary, tea tree, and peppermint, you can create a gentle yet potent hair conditioning mask tailored to your specific needs. Remember to always conduct a patch test before using essential oils on your scalp, and dilute them properly with a carrier oil to avoid irritation. With consistent use, this DIY hair mask can help nourish your scalp, reduce dandruff, and leave your hair feeling soft, shiny, and revitalized. Embrace the power of nature and unlock the transformative potential of essential oils for your hair care routine.