“Brush-Lights” Are Going Viral on Social Media

We’ll be the first to admit our social media feeds are one of our favorite places to find new trends. Whether it’s Pinterest, TikTok, or something else entirely, we’re always keeping our eyes peeled for the latest and greatest new looks, especially when it comes to hair color. Lately, our Instagram feeds have been flooded with a new highlighting technique that is unlike anything we’ve ever seen before: “brush-lights.”

Similar to balayage, the method is interesting, to say the least, but the final results are stunning. In our opinion, it’s worth learning more about, especially if you’ve been on the hunt for a way to achieve easy, natural-looking highlights. To learn more about the viral trend, we tapped hair experts to answer all of our questions about brush-lights, including what they are, who they work best on, and how to maintain the look at home. Keep reading to learn more.

What Are Brush-Lights?

“Brush-lights are a balayage technique where highlights are hand-painted onto the hair using a brush, rather than traditional foiling methods,” Dimitris Giannetos, celebrity hairstylist, tells PS. In all honesty, the method looks a little wild at first because color is put on a run-of-the-mill hairbrush and then swept through the hair. “It creates a more natural, blended effect,” Giannetos adds.

The placement is up to you and your colorist, but typically, you see it around the forehead for an easy, sun-kissed look.

There are a couple of key reasons why someone would opt for brush-lights rather than other traditional hair-lightening methods. “Since it’s not as saturated or being processed in foil, it’s potentially less damaging,” hairstylist Sierra Kener says. “Also, since it’s creating such a subtle result, brush-lights are very low maintenance.”

However, it should be noted that this hair-coloring technique isn’t for anyone looking for an ultra-dramatic change-up. “Brush-lights are ideal for a client looking to dip their toes into color for the first time, as well as for a client looking to add some soft dimension to their look,” says Adrienne Dara, Redken Ambassador and hair educator. “Brush-lights are reserved for very natural tone-on-tone color series as you can view it as a ‘sprinkle’ of dimension to the hair.”

If you want to try the look for yourself, start out by connecting with your colorist. You’ll want to arrive at your salon appointment with inspiration photos at the ready, and it doesn’t hurt to have a video or two handy showing the brush-light technique.

How to Maintain Brush-Lights at Home

As with any form of color-treat har, it’s important to use products that are color-safe, as well as protect hair against heat and UV rays. “Protecting your hair color investment is essential, and using color-preserving shampoo and conditioner is crucial,” Renée Valerie, director and R+Color education, says. Valerie recommends the R+Co Sunset Blvd Shampoo and Conditioner Set ($68) for preventing brassiness and maintaining tone.

Kener suggests using the MyDenity Collagen Repair Softening Treatment ($48) to keep hair healthy post color-treatment, and Dara likes using the Redken Acidic Color Gloss Activated Glass Gloss Treatment ($38) in between salon visits to keep hair shiny and healthy.

If you’re ready to try the trend out for yourself, keep scrolling for inspiration you can bring with you to your next professional appointment.