Babylights Are the Subtle Hair-Color Refresh You've Been Waiting For

Skin care may be a hard industry to keep track of with all of the different ingredients and products to learn, but the world of hair care isn't much easier. It's always good to be prepared and know your stuff before you head to the salon, but there are countless cuts and hair-color buzzwords to keep track of, which can make knowing what to ask for tricky. If you're looking for a new hair color with extra dimension, you'll likely want to book a double-process treatment — but how do you differentiate between highlights, lowlights, balayage, and the (often misunderstood) babylights?

"Babylights" are another type of coloring technique that involve weaving small sections of color into the hair to brighten up your overall base tone. Like you might have guessed from the name, they are a form of highlights, but are miniature. "Because they are so small and delicate, they are really seamless and grow out really beautifully," Rachel Bodt, a celebrity hairstylist and Matrix brand ambassador, tells POPSUGAR.

Similar to highlights and lowlights, babylights are applied using foils to "maintain that softness and can be isolated," says Bodt. The hair-color technique works on all hair types — curly, wavy, straight, and kinky — and base shades, meaning it is perfect for those with light and dark hair looking to lighten up their overall color and add dimension to their look.

"It's just knowing what color to use and how to add in a root shadow or end lights to make it more custom," she says.

Babylights are great for freshening up your look and making your old hair color feel new. "They are so delicate; they really grow out well," said Bodt. "It's super versatile though, and such a great place to start if you are wanting to add lightness to your hair." If subtileness is your vibe, you'll enjoy that this hair color doesn't have any harsh lines.

Ahead, find inspiration for the babylights hair color.