“Skunk” Hair Is the Edgy Summer Trend Straight Out Of the 2000s

“Skunk” hair is as divisive as it is cool—a.k.a, the hallmark of an It-girl-approved trend. It’s fair enough that stark black-and-white highlights are controversial: To pull them off in the Y2K era required a bedazzled BlackBerry, low-rise jeans, and a hefty amount of star power. But the “skunk” hair trend is experiencing a comeback, just in time for Brat summer.

But the refreshed take on chunky highlights is more refined than the black-and-white stripes you remember. Don’t just take it from us: Iconic, legendary performers of this decade like Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and Miley Cyrus have all co-signed on the trend. Read on to find out why.

The Trend

“Skunk” hair is synonymous with a mixture of light and dark highlights that juxtapose one another for an eye-catching look—once you see it, the trend’s name feels obvious, as it’s reminiscent of a skunk’s stripes. It’s waned in popularity since the aughts, but the pandemic-era resurgence of Y2K trends brought it back in the early 2020s.

The pop star renaissance has also helped re-ignite the trend’s spark. Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, and Charli XCX’s dancy, catchy pop music has had us craving Main Pop Girl style—and the cool factor that comes with it.

Thus, “skunk” hair has returned. First, on Rihanna at Paris Fashion Week in a subtle way. She paired it perfectly with side bangs and deep chocolate brown hair flecked with thin blonde pieces. Then, typically quiet on social media Miley Cyrus added buzz to the trend when she shared new blonde highlights on Instagram. Commenters were quick to point out how the look harkened back to her Hannah Montana days. And when Keke Palmer debuted her new girl group, DivaGurl, she opted for a black bob with platinum-blonde money pieces and chunky blonde highlights.

The Inspiration

The inspiration? Pop girls from the 2000s. Nostalgia and the edgy-chic energy the “skunk” highlights represent are likely inspiring today’s performers to return to the style. “This hair trend is definitely inspired by Cindy Crawford’s high contrast, face-framing balayage… in the 90s, as well as the legitimate stripes and chunks of color that a lot of the pop stars had in the early 2000s,” New York City-based colorist Jackson Heller previously told Byrdie. “Think Bai Ling, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, etc.”

“The ‘skunk’ hair trend has evolved from the early 2000s and the bold black and white streaks,” hairstylist Guy Tang tells us. “Modern versions of the trend include a wider range of colors, [such as] vibrant and pastel shades, with highlights or lowlights applied with a more blended effect.” From new takes on the trend to the classic black-and-white stripes that defined the 2000s It-girls, there’s more than enough “skunk” hair inspiration to go around.

And the best part? “Skunk” highlights work with almost every haircut: bobs, loose layers, undercuts, you name it. “Anyone can do their own version of this look,” said Heller. “Take your natural hair into account and work with that.”

How To Get The Look

Different cuts highlight the color-blocking shades, such as the trendy sleek bob which “Allows the lighter streaks to stand out, especially when placed at the front or underneath layers,” says Tang. “It also ties in a big [summer trend], making the modern ‘skunk’ hair look distinctive from the early 2000s style.” “Skunk” hair also works well with another of-the-moment style. “The textured shag cut is another really trendy cut, with its effortless, tousled style,” he says. “The asymmetrical cut highlights the contrast for a unique and dramatic look.”

The bright and dark mixture of highlights close together in the hair may look like it requires plenty of upkeep, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. “It’s low maintenance,” said Heller. “This is cool and edgy, to begin with, so you make the rules.” Regular conditioning treatments and minimizing heat styling are key to preserving hair health anytime you dye your hair, adds Tang.

You don’t have to stick to the black-and-white color palette to get the full effect, either. Megan Thee Stallion tried pink and lavender chunky highlights, which felt natural for the star who loves bright-colored hairstyles. The result? A “skunk” hair look that was perfect for summer and matched her style to a “T.”