Move Over, Balayage: "Fine Line" Highlights Are Here

Fine lines: your parents warn you when you're walking on one, skin-care brands try to market against them, and tattoo artists have all but turned it into a speciality. Is it any surprise, then, to hear these two little words trickle their way into the hair-color category? Here's hoping you answered "no," because winter's biggest hair trend is here: "fine line" highlights.

Think of this color like the Kristin Cavallari circa 2005 meets Beyoncé at peak Destiny's Child (both references feel fitting given the resurgence of Y2K trends). It can be achieved through a "blend of a finely woven highlights and lowlights," said Karissa Schaudt, a colorist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. "As seen on Khloe [Kardashian] recently, it gives you an all-over statement blond. This is best on short to medium hair lengths and great for our want-to-be blondes all year-round, including those winter months."

The final result is loaded with dimension — that's where those thin "lines" come into play — that is perfectly blended with your base shade. While it might sound similar to money pieces or even chunky highlights, the lines of demarcation in this case are much less visible and instead feature an even color from roots to ends. "Ask your stylist for babylights to ensure the pieces aren't chunky and very blended," said Schaudt.

Still, you don't have to be born a blond to get in on the look. Whether you're a natural looking for some oomph or just want to test that whole blond-fun theory, see our favorite examples of "fine line" highlights below.