Highlights can add dimension to hair and give hair a
gorgeous sun-kissed look when done correctly, but if not done correctly, it can
make you look skunk-like and stripy.
Home highlighting kits are fairly inexpensive and you don’t
need to color all of the hair.
Highlighting your hair on your own can be tricky and it
might take some trial and error time but here are some tips to highlighting
your hair at home and get the look you want.
Please Note: If you have over processed, chemically relaxed
or extremely damaged hair, you should avoid highlighting your hair at home.
Do a Strand Test
If you are new to highlighting at home, be sure not
to skip the strand test.
Brunette hair lightens in stages: brown to red to orange and
then to yellow.
That's why the strand test—although tedious—is critical, you
want to know how long it will take your hair to process and not end up with a
head full of blazing orange highlights instead of a lovely butterscotch.
Follow the kit's strand test instructions, and if you like
what you see, use that tested time for the rest of your head. To go lighter,
reapply the mixture to the tested hair strand for another five minutes.
Prep the Hair
Make sure hair is dry and free of tangles.
Drape a towel over your shoulders to protect your clothes.
Sometimes they aren’t the greatest but always use the gloves
that came with the kit and make sure the color is well mixed.
Frame the Face
Highlights should look the same way the sun would naturally
lighten hair - darker at the root and lighter at the tips—like a subtle ombré.
Whether you are using a brush, comb, foil or cap, apply the
color to the ends and work your way up the hair, highlight half-inch sections
about an inch apart.
Add Depth and Dimension
Over highlighted hair that looks like it is one color can
look flat.
Highlights should vary in size and lightness and should emphasize
your base color but not overpower it.
You may want to go a shade lighter or darker than your base
color.
Adding Too Many Different Colors
Although dimension is good, too much can look unnatural.
It’s best to have a base, a highlight, and a low light.
Adjust your Highlights with the Seasons
In the summer I tend to highlight my hair lighter and in the
winter I’ll add darker low lights.
Highlights should be brighter and lighter in the summer when
you’re spending more time outdoors in the warm sun and deeper, more golden in
the winter when we lose our summer glow.
Going too Light
I’m so guilty of this - having super light highlights on a
light or fair skin tone will make you look washed out.
You always want some contrast between your skin color and
your hair color but you don’t want too much of a contrast because then the
highlights can look stripy.
Care for your Highlights
Using a moisturizing, color-safe shampoo and conditioner will
protect the hair and prevent it from losing color or becoming brassy.
Deep conditioning the hair once a week will keep it nice and
healthy.
You should also prep hair before heat styling with a heat
protectant.
Thanks for supporting my blog 💕
~Jennifer
