Chunky Highlights Are The ’00s Hair Trend Revival We Didn’t See Coming

Dig out your old Nokia flip phone and log onto MSN Messenger ASAP; you’re going to need a fittingly vintage mode of communication to let your friends know that we’ve apparently made a return to the ’00s.

Or at least, our hair is about to, if TikTok has anything to say about it. Yep, hold onto your The Simple Life box sets; the beauty world is embracing nostalgia with full force, with creators opting for stark shade differences (AKA stripy streaks) once more.

Of course, iterations of the trend have been bubbling around the beauty zeitgeist for a few years now. 2020 saw us obsessed with ultra contrasting money pieces, with celebs dyeing their face-framing layers just about every shade, from bleach blonde to shocking pink. 

Now, the celebrity style set is heralding the return of streaky highlights in a big way. Don’t panic yet, though—the 2024 take on the trend is more modern, and less ‘Kelly Clarkson in 2008’ than you might think.

Take model-turned-cowgirl Bella Hadid. Just last week, she was spotted pairing her new Western-ified wardrobe with streaks of golden blonde running through her usually brown hair. 

And in March, Penelope Cruz made a case for the divisive trend, sporting a sleek bob with thick, blonde highlights throughout. 

Thinking about dipping your toes into the trend, but want some current-day inspiration to show your colourist? Below, we’ve rounded up some of the chicest (yes, seriously) chunky highlight shots of the 21st century.

After all, this is hardly the time to try and replicate a trend sans reference (consider the streaky ghost of Nicole Richie‘s hair’s past a cautionary tale).

Elsa Hosk

Don’t beleive a ’00s hair trend can be chic? Think again. Elsa Hosk took on chunky highlights, paired with the suede brown coat of our dreams, and moroon accessories.

Matilda Djerf

If reigning hair queen Matilda Djerf says streaky highlights are back, then streaky highlights are back.

Before she debuted her Cowboy Carter album and bleached blonde hair to match, Beyoncé experimented with honey-coloured locks and a heavy dose of highlights during her Renaissance tour.

Dua Lipa

One of the first to embrace a colour duo designed to clash, Dua Lipa debuted ’00s-esque chunky blonde streaks in her raven-hued hair.

Kylie Jenner

Kylie Jenner appeared to be doing an eerily accurate impression of all us in high school, allowing her long side-swept fringe to further enhance the caramel and cocoa shades in her (ironically non-blended) bronde blend.

Jennifer Lopez

Only J-Lo could show off the stark blonde-and-brunette stripes we all emerged from the hairdresser with in 2008, and have us seriously considering reliving the look over again.

Kim Kardashian

Kim made a convincing case for the wearability of caramel highlights over a dark chocolate colour, keeping the thickest shade-lifted sections a few inches back from her face.

Khloé Kardashiaj

Khloé joined her sisters in the ‘chunky highlights club’, keeping her bronde and blonde mix chic and modern by opting for a razor-sharp bob and keeping the lighter shade evenly and neatly distributed.

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