23 Neapolitan Hair Highlights: Chocolate, Vanilla, and Strawberry for All Hair Types

Have you ever dreamed of combining your favorite ice cream flavors into a stunning hair color trend? Enter Neapolitan hair highlights, a unique style inspired by the classic trio of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. These highlights offer a fresh, multidimensional look that can be customized to suit any hair type, color, or length. But how do you know if Neapolitan hair highlights are right for you? Whether you’re thinking of adding a pop of pink to your curly hair or want a more subtle blend of colors on short hair, this article covers everything you need to know. From blonde hair to black hair, and even bright hues like blue, we’ll explore every option to help you achieve this fun and modern hairstyle.

What Are Neapolitan Hair Highlights?

Neapolitan hair highlights are a vibrant blend of three distinct colors, typically inspired by the Neapolitan ice cream flavors: brown (chocolate), blonde (vanilla), and pink (strawberry). These highlights can be applied subtly or boldly, depending on your style preference and desired intensity. Neapolitan highlights can suit anyone, but it’s essential to choose shades that complement your natural hair color and skin tone.

For the best results, use high-quality color-safe shampoos like Pureology Hydrate Shampoo to maintain the vibrancy of your highlights.

The Perfect Blend of Chocolate, Vanilla, and Strawberry

The classic Neapolitan highlights feature a harmonious mix of chocolate brown, creamy vanilla blonde, and a vibrant strawberry pink. These colors can be applied in a streaking or balayage technique for a seamless transition. This color combination flatters most skin tones, especially medium to dark complexions.

To preserve this striking combination, use Redken Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo to keep the pink, blonde, and brown tones fresh and bright.

Who Should Try Neapolitan Hair Highlights?

Neapolitan highlights work best for individuals looking to make a bold fashion statement. These highlights add a fun, playful touch to your overall look. If you’re adventurous and love experimenting with different colors, this trend is perfect for you. However, if your style leans more toward subtle elegance, you may want to opt for softer, pastel versions of the highlights.

To keep your highlights looking fresh, try Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector to prevent damage and maintain hair health.

How to Achieve Neapolitan Highlights at Home

While salon visits provide professional results, achieving Neapolitan hair highlights at home is possible with the right products and patience. You’ll need three different hair dye kits—brown, blonde, and pink—and the tools to apply them precisely. Ensure you section your hair properly and apply the colors in the right areas for a balanced look.

For at-home coloring, use L’Oreal Paris Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Color for vibrant and rich highlights.

Salon-Only Neapolitan Highlighting Techniques

For more complex and precise Neapolitan highlights, visiting a salon is your best option. Techniques like balayage, color melting, or foiling require a professional’s touch to ensure even blending and long-lasting results. This is especially crucial if you’re looking to incorporate colors like blue or purple into your Neapolitan look.

Use Kerastase Reflection Bain Chromatique Shampoo to keep your salon color looking fresh for longer.

Neapolitan Highlights for Short Hair: A Bold Look

If you have short hair, don’t think Neapolitan highlights are off-limits! In fact, short styles such as pixie cuts or bobs can make the bold color combinations stand out even more. By strategically placing the highlights, you can create a dynamic, eye-catching look.

To style your short, highlighted hair, use Bumble and bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil to add shine and tame flyaways.

Long Hair and Neapolitan Highlights: Creating a Flowing Color Story

For those with long, flowing locks, Neapolitan hair highlights offer the perfect way to create a cascading color story. The longer your hair, the more room you have to play with the placement of the three shades, creating a seamless gradient effect.

For long hair, use Moroccanoil Treatment to keep your ends healthy and smooth.

Best Neapolitan Highlights for Curly Hair

Neapolitan highlights look especially stunning on curly hair, as the natural texture helps the colors blend and stand out more. Whether your curls are tight coils or loose waves, the mix of chocolate brown, blonde, and pink highlights will give your hair dimension and vibrancy.

To define your curls and maintain the color, use DevaCurl SuperCream for hydration and control.

Straight and Sleek: Neapolitan Highlights for Straight Hair

Straight hair offers a sleek canvas for Neapolitan highlights. The smooth texture allows the colors to stand out sharply, making each hue pop. Whether you opt for a classic or more modern color mix, straight hair helps to showcase the different shades distinctly.

To maintain sleekness, use Living Proof No Frizz Nourishing Styling Cream to reduce flyaways and add shine.

How to Care for Neapolitan Highlights: Expert Tips

Caring for Neapolitan hair highlights involves more than just regular shampoo and conditioner. To keep the colors vibrant, it’s crucial to use color-safe, sulfate-free shampoos and deep conditioners. Additionally, minimize heat styling to prevent the colors from fading too quickly.

Try Joico K-Pak Color Therapy Luster Lock to keep your highlights shiny and healthy.

Can You Combine Neapolitan Highlights with Balayage?

Yes, you can combine Neapolitan hair highlights with balayage for a more blended, natural effect. Balayage, a free-hand painting technique, can be used to softly melt the three Neapolitan colors into one another. This creates a less stark, more seamless transition between the chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry shades, making it perfect for those who want a subtle yet eye-catching look.

To maintain the balayage effect, use Kerastase Reflection Fondant Chromatique Conditioner to enhance shine and color protection.

Ombre Neapolitan Highlights: A Trendy Twist

For those who love the gradient look, ombre Neapolitan highlights offer a trendy variation. This style keeps the root color darker—usually chocolate brown—while the blonde and pink shades gradually blend in as you reach the ends of your hair. Ombre is ideal for those who prefer a lower-maintenance option since the roots are left natural.

To enhance the ombre effect, use Oribe Bright Blonde Shampoo to keep the blonde section vibrant and fresh.

Neapolitan Highlights for Brunettes: How to Make It Pop

For brunettes, Neapolitan highlights can add dimension and flair to your natural hair color. By starting with chocolate brown as your base and adding blonde and pink accents, you can enhance the depth and richness of your brunette locks. Opt for warmer blonde tones to ensure the highlights blend well with your natural hair.

To keep brunette hair healthy and shiny, use Aveda Color Conserve Shampoo to lock in color and prevent fading.

Neapolitan Highlights for Blondes: Subtle or Bold?

Blonde hair is the perfect canvas for experimenting with Neapolitan highlights. For a more subtle look, choose a lighter shade of brown for the chocolate section and opt for soft pink. However, if you want to go bold, contrast your platinum blonde with a dark chocolate brown and vibrant strawberry pink.

Blonde hair can be prone to damage, so use Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo to keep your locks healthy and strong.

Red Hair with Neapolitan Highlights: A Unique Combination

If you have red hair, adding Neapolitan highlights can create a vibrant and bold look. The rich chocolate brown and soft vanilla blonde contrasts beautifully with natural red tones, while the pink adds an extra touch of brightness. This color combination is perfect for those who want a fiery, head-turning style.

To maintain your red hair and highlights, use Davines Alchemic Shampoo for Red Hair to enhance the vibrancy of both red and highlighted sections.

Neapolitan Highlights with Pastel Tones: Adding a Soft Twist

For a softer, more muted look, consider using pastel tones for your Neapolitan highlights. This version works well if you want a more understated style while still embracing the three-tone color trend. Swap the bright strawberry pink for a pastel rose, and use lighter versions of blonde and brown for a delicate finish.

To enhance the pastel colors, use Amika Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Shampoo to maintain the cool tones in the highlights.

Neapolitan Highlights and Face Shapes: Find Your Perfect Match

Choosing the right placement for your Neapolitan highlights can depend on your face shape. For round faces, focus the highlights around the crown and ends to create elongation. Square faces benefit from highlights around the sides to soften angles, while heart-shaped faces should focus on the lower half of the hair for balance.

For added dimension and volume, use TIGI Bed Head Superstar Queen for a Day Thickening Spray to style your hair after highlighting.

Seasonal Trends: Neapolitan Highlights for Summer

Summer is the perfect time to try Neapolitan highlights since the bright and playful colors reflect the sunny, carefree season. During summer, consider enhancing the pink and blonde tones to create a light, beach-ready look. You can also experiment with lighter variations of brown for a softer finish.

Protect your highlights from the sun with Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil, which shields your hair from UV rays.

Winter Vibes with Neapolitan Hair Highlights

For winter, you can opt for deeper, richer tones in your Neapolitan highlights. Darker chocolate browns paired with deep pink and creamy blonde can create a sophisticated, cold-weather-friendly look. These highlights will give you a striking contrast against the darker winter clothing and shorter days.

To protect your highlights from the harsh winter air, use Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair Deep Conditioning Mask to maintain hydration and prevent dryness.

Best Products to Maintain Your Neapolitan Highlights

Maintaining Neapolitan hair highlights requires products specifically designed to protect color-treated hair. Opt for sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners that are safe for colored hair. Use deep conditioning treatments weekly and avoid excessive heat styling to prevent your highlights from fading.

Great products include Redken Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo and Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector for deep conditioning.

How to Prevent Fading in Neapolitan Hair Highlights

The key to preventing fading in Neapolitan highlights is to avoid hot showers, limit sun exposure, and use heat protection before styling. Color-protecting products are essential, and incorporating a purple shampoo can help maintain the blonde portions of your highlights.

Use Pureology Strength Cure Blonde Shampoo to prevent brassiness in your highlights and maintain the integrity of the colors.

Neapolitan Hair Highlights for Special Occasions

Whether you’re preparing for a wedding, prom, or a major event, Neapolitan hair highlights can offer a fun, playful look for special occasions. For formal events, consider softer versions of the highlights or opt for a more subtle blend of the three colors to create a polished, elegant style.

Style your hair with Ouai Wave Spray to add texture and hold for your special occasion hairstyle.

Celebrities Who Have Rocked Neapolitan Hair Highlights

Celebrities like Katy Perry, Kylie Jenner, and Nicki Minaj have all experimented with bold, colorful highlights, including variations of the Neapolitan hair trend. These stars showcase how versatile the look can be, whether you’re aiming for something subtle or going all out with vivid colors.

To keep your celebrity-inspired look flawless, use IGK Expensive Amla Oil Hi-Shine Topcoat to add shine and smoothness to your highlights.

Conclusion

Neapolitan hair highlights are a playful, bold, and versatile way to add color and dimension to your hair. Whether you have curly, straight, long, or short hair, there’s a Neapolitan color combination for everyone. With proper care and the right products, you can keep your highlights looking fresh and vibrant for weeks. Are you ready to embrace the Neapolitan trend? Share your thoughts and questions below, and let us know how you’re planning to rock this sweet new look!