10 Important Things You Need to Know About Highlights
Hair highlights are a fantastic way to add dimension, brightness, and texture to your hair. They can subtly enhance your natural color or create a dramatic, eye-catching look. However, navigating the world of highlights can be overwhelming, with various techniques, colors, and aftercare routines to consider. This article breaks down ten essential things you need to know about highlights before taking the plunge, helping you achieve your dream hair while maintaining its health and integrity.
Understanding the Different Types of Highlights:
The world of highlights isn't one-size-fits-all. Several techniques exist, each offering a unique look:
Foil Highlights: The classic method, foil highlights, involve sectioning hair and wrapping each section in foil after applying the highlighting product. This technique allows for precise placement and can create both subtle and dramatic effects.
Balayage: This freehand technique involves painting highlights onto the hair, creating a natural, sun-kissed look. Balayage highlights are typically softer and more blended than foil highlights. For those seeking a natural, low-maintenance option, exploring balayage in Princeton NJ, salons is a great starting point.
Ombre: Ombre hair features a gradual transition from darker roots to lighter ends. While not strictly highlighted, it's a related technique that creates a similar dimensional effect.
Babylights: These are very fine, delicate highlights that mimic the natural highlights children often have. They add subtle brightness and dimension to the hair.
Chunky Highlights: As the name suggests, these are thicker, more noticeable highlights that create a bolder, more contrasted look.
Choosing the Right Highlight Color:
Selecting the proper highlight color is crucial for achieving a harmonious and flattering result. Consider your natural hair color, skin tone, and desired level of contrast.
Skin Tone: Warm skin tones typically suit golden, caramel, or honey highlights, while cool skin tones look best with ash blonde, platinum, or beige highlights.
Natural Hair Color: Highlights should complement your base color. Going too light can look unnatural, while going too dark might not be noticeable.
Desired Contrast: Do you want subtle, blended highlights or a more dramatic, high-contrast look? This will influence the shade and placement of your highlights.
The Importance of Consultation:
Before any highlighting service, a thorough consultation with a qualified stylist is essential. This is your opportunity to discuss your desired look, hair history, and any concerns you may have.
Visuals: Bring pictures of hair inspiration to communicate your vision to the stylist clearly.
Hair History: Inform your stylist about any previous chemical treatments, including perms, relaxers, or previous colorings. This information is crucial for preventing damage and ensuring the best results.
Lifestyle: Consider your lifestyle and how much maintenance you're willing to commit to. Some highlighting techniques require more frequent touch-ups than others.
Understanding the Highlighting Process:
Knowing what to expect during the highlighting process can alleviate anxiety and help you feel more comfortable.
Sectioning: Your stylist will section your hair based on the chosen highlighting technique.
Application: The highlighting product will be applied to the selected sections.
Processing: The product will process for a specific amount of time, depending on the desired level of lightness.
Toning: Toning is a crucial step that neutralizes any unwanted brassiness or yellow tones, creating a more balanced and polished look.
Aftercare: Your stylist will recommend specific aftercare products to maintain the health and vibrancy of your highlights.
Potential Hair Damage and How to Minimize It:
Highlighting involves chemical processes that can damage the hair, especially if done incorrectly.
Over-Processing: Leaving the highlighting product on for too long can lead to over-processed, dry, and brittle hair.
Heat Styling: Excessive heat styling after highlighting can further damage the hair. Minimize the use of heat tools and always use heat protectant spray.
At-Home Highlighting: DIY highlighting can be risky and often leads to uneven results and hair damage. It's always best to leave highlighting to the professionals.
Aftercare is Key:
Proper aftercare is crucial for maintaining the health and longevity of your highlights.
Sulfate-Free Shampoo and Conditioner: Sulfate-free products are gentler on color-treated hair and help prevent fading.
Hydrating Masks: Use hydrating hair masks regularly to replenish moisture and prevent dryness.
Leave-In Conditioner: A leave-in conditioner can help detangle and protect your hair from environmental damage.
Regular Trims: Regular trims help remove split ends and keep your hair looking healthy.
Highlight Maintenance and Touch-Ups:
Depending on the highlighting technique and your hair growth, you'll need touch-ups to maintain the desired look.
Balayage: Balayage highlights typically require less frequent touch-ups than foil highlights, as the blended roots grow out more naturally.
Foil Highlights: Foil highlights may need touch-ups every 6-8 weeks to maintain their brightness and prevent a noticeable line of demarcation.
Considering Your Lifestyle:
Your lifestyle plays a significant role in choosing the proper highlighting technique and color.
Low-Maintenance: If you're looking for a low-maintenance option, balayage or babylights are a good choice.
High-Maintenance: If you're willing to commit to regular touch-ups, foil highlights can create a more dramatic look.
Finding a Qualified Stylist:
Choosing a skilled and experienced stylist is paramount for achieving beautiful and healthy highlights.
Research: Read online reviews, look at their portfolio, and ask for recommendations from friends and family.
Consultation: Schedule a consultation to discuss your needs and ensure the stylist understands your vision. For those in the area, researching reviews of salons offering natural hair services can help you find a stylist experienced in your hair type.
Embracing Your Natural Texture:
Highlights can look stunning on all hair types and textures. Work with your stylist to find a highlighting technique that complements your natural hair. Whether you have straight, wavy, curly, or coily hair, highlights can add dimension and enhance your natural beauty. Finding a stylist experienced with natural hair services is significant for those with textured hair, as they can recommend the best techniques and products for minimizing damage and maximizing curl definition.
By understanding these ten essential things about highlights, you can make informed decisions and work with your stylist to create a look that you love. Remember, healthy hair is beautiful hair, so prioritize its well-being throughout the highlighting process and beyond.
Conclusion
Highlights are a versatile and transformative way to enhance your hair, adding dimension, brightness, and style. However, achieving the perfect highlights requires careful consideration of various factors, from choosing the proper technique and color to prioritizing aftercare and maintenance. By understanding the ten essential points discussed in this article, you can navigate the world of highlights with confidence, working closely with a skilled stylist to create a look that complements your style, hair type, and lifestyle. Remember, healthy hair is beautiful hair, so prioritize its well-being throughout the highlighting process and enjoy the radiant results.
Ready for a salon that gets you? ENMODA Salon & Spa in Downtown Princeton is a gender-neutral, texture-inclusive space designed for self-expression. Close to Princeton University with stress-free parking—book your appointment now!
FAQs
What are the different types of hair highlights?
There are several types, including foil highlights, balayage, ombre, babylights, and chunky highlights. Each offers a unique look and level of intensity.
How do I choose the proper highlight color for me?
Consider your skin tone, natural hair color, and desired level of contrast. Warm skin tones often suit golden or caramel highlights, while cool skin tones look best with ash blonde or platinum.
How often do I need to get my highlights touched up?
The frequency depends on the highlighting technique and your hair growth. Balayage typically requires less frequent touch-ups (every few months), while foil highlights may need touch-ups every 6-8 weeks.
Are highlights damaging to my hair?
Highlighting involves chemical processes that can potage hair if not done correctly. Choosing a skilled stylist, proper aftercare, and minimizing heat styling can help reduce damage.
Can I highlight my hair at home?
While DIY kits are available, it's generally recommended to have highlights done by a professional stylist. At-home highlighting can be risky and often leads to uneven results and hair damage.
What is balayage?
Balayage is a freehand highlighting technique where the color is painted onto the hair, creating a natural, sun-kissed look.
What is the difference between highlights and lowlights?
Highlights are lighter than your natural hair color, while lowlights are darker. Lowlights add depth and dimension to the hair.
How do I care for my highlighted hair?
Use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner, hydrating masks, and a leave-in conditioner. Minimize heat styling and get regular trims.
Can I get highlights if I have previously colored hair?
Yes, but it's crucial to inform your stylist about any previous chemical treatments. They can assess your hair's condition and recommend the best approach.
How much do hair highlights cost?
The cost varies depending on the salon, location, stylist experience, and the complexity of the highlighting technique.
I'm looking for balayage in Princeton NJ. What should I look for in a salon?
Look for salons with experienced stylists specializing in balayage. Check online reviews and portfolios to see examples of their work. Consider consultations to discuss your desired look.
