What to Do with Senior Highlights

• Hairstylist Bill Angst explains what to do with the best senior hairstyles in this student consultation.
• Her top tip: embrace your dark roots and wear your color as a soft ombré.
• Want a consultation about your hair? Read more here.

Q: Hi Bill! I really enjoy reading the advice you give to others looking for hair guidance! I am 26 years old and have had a slight variation of shoulder length and long hair for most of my life.

After returning from a nine-month backpacking trip around the world, my fine, thick hair is the longest (and in the worst condition!) it’s ever been. As you can see, my highlights have grown about four inches.

I am completely refreshed after all my visits, and soon my husband and I will be moving to a new city and starting new jobs. I think it’s time for my hair to be born again, again!

I’m willing to go any color and length, and I’m looking for guidance on a style that suits my face shape, skin tone and active lifestyle. I want something that looks classy but not old to me, trendy and can be styled in different ways, and that doesn’t require more than half an hour of morning time to prepare. (This is possible, right?)

I also posted a pre-trip photo from when I really liked my hair, in long, soft curls. To get this look, it takes me over an hour and a can of hairspray, so I don’t end up doing it often.

Before the trip, I would condition every day and shampoo around the roots every two days to avoid oily skin and condition my ends. My usual morning routine is to blow dry with a round brush. I try not to use too much heat on my hair and only use hair straighteners on rare occasions.

Thanks in advance for your time. We look forward to hearing your thoughts! — Meghan

A: Meghan, thank you for sending your photos and consultation request. It’s great to be able to travel for so long. But with that lifestyle, hair is abused!

I have to say that I really like your current color, which is hard to find on dark hair. I say, try what you have for a while, because unless you spend another year in the sun, you will never have this shade again.

If you have your hairstylist cut a few inches off the ends to get the split ends out, then add longer layers, they will look and feel more polished.

Here are some examples of how cool your hair can look with great grown-out highlights and a few inches of dark regrowth:

A weekly deep-conditioning treatment will help your hair recover from damage and look healthy.

As for styling, I see that you already have a nice texture to your length, so I would play that up to complement your soft ombré color.

This style has a bohemian vibe that shouldn’t be too perfect:

To get this type of texture, let your hair dry and then spray it with a texturizing spray. You can also braid your hair while it’s wet and let it dry, or add soft waves with a curling iron.

Wear it backwards to look your best:

If time permits, you can make your favorite bouncy curls. Simply leave the ends straight for a modern finish, then run your fingers through your hair to separate the curls.

If you’re ready to switch things up, I’d consider doing a dark rinse that allows you to keep a soft glow showing:

These blunt bangs can be a great update to your look and:

Here are two haircut options after you find your way with long, Boho hair:

This cut has more edge compared to the long length, and with similar text products, you won’t have to spend a lot of time (if any) doing heat styling.

I hope this helps and works with this new chapter of your life.

Product Selection

Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray

Mermaid PRO Hair Waver

The Mermaid PRO Hair Waver is a large, three-barrel ceramic wave that creates crease-free waves in seconds.

Kristin Ess Hair Signature Gloss

Kristin Ess Hair Signature Gloss adds warmth, hydration and shine to colored or natural dark brown hair.

Multiple Student Hair Consultations