17 Stunning and Trendy Highlights for Short Hair

Make your short hair more stylish with highlights!

It's the end of 2024 and the beginning of a new year. What better way to switch things up for your short hair than with highlights?

They can make your hair way cooler and spice it up too. It will be a beautiful way to start the year and mark new beginnings! From high-contrast highlights to subtle streaks, we've gathered a few trendy highlights for you. These highlights will elevate your curly, afro, or straight short hair.

Ready to check them out? Then, see some fun and trendy highlights you can include in your hair below.

1. Wavy Bob with Bangs and Money Pieces

Soften your features with money piece highlights. These highlights create a drastic change around your face and give your hair a gorgeous contrast.

The little detailing makes it a hot hairstyle that'll continue to gain momentum even beyond this year. So, if you want to add vibrancy to your black hair, money pieces are sure the way to go.

The waves and the bangs also helped complete the look, making it a versatile style.

2. High-Contrast Highlights on Short-Wavy Hair

This is one of the big trends in 2025. The color difference creates something spectacular and adds the right touch that makes your hair pop.

We recommend styling this with your wavy hair for more texture. And if you prefer straight styles, that's also a great choice. So, create a gorgeous high-contrast style on your short hair.

3. Softly Blunt Cut Short Hair

Create a stunning, multi-dimensional appearance with the soft blunt cut. It’s a short blunt bob with highlights that frames the face and adds a splash of color to give the hair more texture.

If you want it softer, make the edges more rounder and bend the ends with a flat iron. This is quite easy–go inwards to create that perfect curve.

4. Brown Highlights on Afro

Let your hair texture shine with these brown highlights. It is a new way to elevate your natural afro and add dimension to your look. Honestly, it will meet your expectations and offer you diverse, versatile looks to rock.

So, if you have a beautiful black afro, now’s the time to switch things up and add highlights. The beautiful part is as your hair grows, it will give you another gorgeous style you never thought of.

5. Trendy Short Brown Hair with Caramel Highlights

Go for an intriguing hairstyle by replicating this short brown hair with caramel highlights. This look is super trendy and will be your best bet to having a great look every day. Just know you'll fall in love with it since it's a style that accentuates the face and can suit any woman.

If you want it shorter or longer, you should style it. It's up to you to choose the length you want and how you'll love to wear it.

6. Cute Highlighted Short Bob

Are you on a hunt for a short and cute hairstyle? This is one. The cute highlighted bob gives you a flattering texture and adds an irresistible flair to your look. Its highlights make it stand out confidently and the length gives you something different from the straight bob styles.

This is perfect if you want a comfortable style to frame your face. But because it has a lot going on, you should take your inspiration to the salon so you won’t be disappointed after styling.

7. Gorgeous Caramel Highlights on Short-Wavy Hair

Are you looking for a stunning way to elevate your short hair? These gorgeous caramel highlights give you a way out. They enhance the movement of your hair, adding depth and dimension to it.

But what we love the most is how natural they blend with your hair and make it look soft. It surely gives your hair an interesting look.

8. Shiny Golden-Brown Bob

Lighten up your dull hair with warm brown blended highlights. You heard us right, brown. It doesn't have to be bright colors, it could be a tone that looks subtle but creates a magical look. So, go in with brown blended highlights and have a shiny look.

Styling this on your short hair will give you an elegant style. But if you have any concerns about achieving this with shorter or longer-length hair, speak to your stylist about it. They can offer professional advice and tweak it to suit your length and face.

9. Bold Layered Short Hair with Red Highlights

This layered short hair with red highlights is a true eye-catcher. It's elegant, playful, and charming, which makes it perfect for everyday wear.

But if you feel the highlights are too vibrant, you can go for a reddish-dark shade or any other shade you're comfortable wearing. It will be a great choice to command attention wherever you go and have people’s eyes fixated on your hair. Don't miss out.

There are different ways to achieve red highlights. It'll be wise to speak to your stylist about what you like.

10. Simple Short Hair with Ash Blonde Highlights

Are you a fan of blonde hairstyles? Go for a more dramatic style with this simple short hair with ash blonde highlights. The highlights add extra texture to your hair and your dark roots make it look more natural.

This will be a good style for those with grey hairs, as it can complement them. Just be sure not to miss your regular visits to the salon and you are about to slay for a long time.

11. Highlighted Bob with Flipped Ends

Do you have thin strands? Don’t worry, there's a hairstyle you can rock. Try wearing the highlighted bob with flipped ends. This hairstyle gives you the illusion of a voluminous look. That's because the layers, bangs, and blonde highlights work to create an exceptional, voluminous style.

Add the flipped ends, too. Honestly, it can't go wrong. The flipped ends will make the look more romantic and elevate the style.

12. Glossy Blonde Bob

The effect of the highlights on this bob is simply perfect. The shiny gloss takes it to another level and we’ve got to say it's one of the coolest styles this year. But this short hair doesn't stop there. It's dark roots and waves elevate it further, making it a style that will keep popping up in your mind. So, start afresh with this glossy blonde bob and feel amazing.

13. Bold Blue Highlights on Short Black Hair

You can make your signature bob fresh again by adding blue highlights. Ever thought about it? Now’s your chance to give it a try. It’s the perfect way to make your style pop and change the vibe.

These highlights are nice for your short straight hair, wavy hair, or even curls. The black and blue highlights make a beautiful combination that gives you a stylish look.

14. Short Dark Brown Hair with Purple Highlights

Treat yourself to purple highlights and create the perfect contrast against your brown hair. The purple highlights will work in your favor and grab everyone's attention.

While this may not be a short hairstyle for everyone, those in their teens would eat this edgy hue up. So, take your look to another level with purple highlights. And on your brown hair, it'll look on point and revamp your hair.

15. Side-Parted Loose Waves with Highlights

How we fancy a side-part hairstyle. Here's one you can flaunt for different occasions–the side-parted loose waves with highlights. While the highlights add more dimension and depth, the side part makes the look even more stylish.

The side parts and highlights already elevate the look, so you don’t need to do much with the waves. Opt for loose waves, and your look is complete.

16. Trendy Curly Short Hair with Highlights

Make your curls look exciting by creating a drastic, stylish effect with highlights. This look is the best, we can't even deny that. And though it may take a whole day to achieve such beauty, it'll be worth it.

Because from the looks, the bouncy curls and highlights certainly worked together to add dimension and create a result you'll never forget.

17. Modern Short Black Hair with Ash Grey Highlights

Would you like to make a statement with your look? This hairstyle is all you need.

The grey highlights on black short hair are truly perfection. They create a refreshing look on your hair and make you fashionable. So, next time you visit the salon, consider treating yourself to ash grey highlights for an iconic style that stands out.

We’ve listed 17 trendy highlights for short hair in this post, from ash grey to caramel, money pieces, and red. With a list like this, you have different highlight options for your next look and a few more looks after.

So, go through the list as many times as you like and select a few you’ll love to try out.