I. Introduction
If you’re someone who loves to switch up their hair color every few months or loves to experiment different trends, then getting highlights at salons could leave a dent on your wallet. But, did you know that you can achieve beautiful and salon-quality highlights at home for a fraction of the cost? In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about highlights at home, so you can try it out right in the comfort of your own home!
II. Step-by-Step Guide: How to Do Highlighting at Home
Before we we to how exactly you can achieve salon-quality highlights at home, here are the steps you should follow to master the art of doing your highlights:
Preparation
Gathering all the materials you need is crucial before you start highlighting your hair. Here are some materials you’ll need:
- Highlighting kit, which usually includes plastic gloves, a tinting brush, and bleach powder
- Hair dye, which you can choose according to your preference
- A bowl for mixing the bleach and hair dye
- Hair clips, for sectioning your hair
- Comb and mirror
- Old shirt or towel, to protect your clothes from stains
Additionally, don’t forget to do a patch test of the hair dye to make sure that you’re not allergic to it.
Sectioning the Hair
Once you have all of your equipment and materials gathered, comb through your hair and divide it into small sections with hair clips. For a natural look, make sure to section out strands that you want to highlight, starting from where the sun would naturally bleach your hair, otherwise known as the crown. Make sure that each strand of hair is separate and accessible before you move on to the next step.
Applying the Dye
Using the tinting brush or your gloved fingers, apply the bleach and hair dye mixture onto each section of hair you wish to highlight. Start from the roots of the hair and evenly coat each strand up to the tips. Make sure to cover both sides and the bottom of the strand for even highlights. Use a mirror to check if you have missed any strands before moving on to the next section.
Waiting Time and Rinsing
After applying the highlight dye, it’s time to wait for the color to develop. Usually, it takes about thirty minutes to an hour for highlights to develop. It’s essential to follow the instructions of the hair dye kit regarding this time, making sure that you don’t leave the dye on longer to avoid damaging your hair. Once the color has developed as per instructions, rinse hair with lukewarm water. Use conditioner that comes with the highlight kit, to keep your hair moisturized and shiny.
Aftercare Tips
Finally, it’s time to take care of your freshly highlighted hair. Don’t forget to use color-safe shampoo and conditioners to prevent the color from fading too quickly. It’s also important to do regular hair treatments, especially if your hair feels dry.
III. DIY Highlighting: Tips and Tricks for Salon-Worthy Results
Choosing the right shade for your skin tone
When picking the color of your highlights, keep in mind your skin tone. It’s essential to choose a shade that complements your skin color. For instance, if you have cool-toned skin, it’s better to go with ash blonde shades, while warmer skin tones would look great with caramel or honey-colored highlights.
Techniques for different types of highlights
There are different highlighting techniques that you need to know, such as balayage, ombre, and foil highlighting. Each technique varies in the way the color is distributed throughout the hair. However, built-in highlighting kits usually come with instructions about what method to use, so it’s best to study the instructions and follow them for better results.
Avoiding common mistakes
Many mistakes can be done during your highlights process. One of the most common mistakes is applying too much dye or leaving the dye on your hair for too long. This mistake can lead to a brassy or over-bleached appearance. The key is to be patient and follow the instructions provided, both in the highlighting kit and the instructions for normal use.
IV. Highlighting Hair 101: A Beginner’s Guide to At-Home Color
Overview of the basics of hair highlighting
Highlighting hair is a process of using bleach or dye to lighten small sections of hair. These sections are usually the strands on the upper layers of the hair, which add dimension and a unique color pattern to your hair.
Understanding the different types of color and their effects
There are various types of color that bring different effects to hair. Semi-permanent dyes offer a temporary pop of color, while permanent dyes will change your hair color permanently. Bleach is used to lighten hair color, which makes hair lighter gradually. Understanding how these colors work will help you, choose the right one for the color you want.
Tips for avoiding hair damage
Bleaching or dyeing hair can damage it; however, good hair care means the harm is minimal. Avoid washing your hair before color application, and keep an eye on the duration you leave the highlighting dye on your hair to ensure you avoid damage. Additionally, regularly use hair conditioning treatment to maintain hair health.
V. Foolproof Methods for Achieving Perfect Highlights Without Leaving Your House
Tips for creating a suitable workspace
Create a workspace that is comfortable for you. You will spend at least an hour applying the highlights, so it’s best to choose a well-lit and ventilated room. Cover your workspace with old towels or newspaper to avoid staining surfaces.
Advice for dealing with interruptions
Interruptions such as pets or children can be distracting, so it’s best to do the highlighting when no one is around to avoid distractions. You can always inform someone that you’re doing highlights so that they can avoid walking in during the process.
Tools and techniques for achieving even color distribution
Consistency is the key to achieving even coloring on hair. Ensure the application of highlights is consistent on your hair by dividing it into subsections, and then covering each piece with dye thoroughly. The tin brush is your powerful accessory when it comes to safely applying highlights to each strand.
VI. Enhance Your Hair Game: DIY Highlighting for Any Hair Type
Tips for working with hair of different types
If your hair is thin and fine, use less bleach or stay away from bleach altogether to avoid damage. Thicker hair, on the other hand, requires more bleach to achieve lighter results. Curly hair can be difficult to highlight, but using the balayage technique to paint individual curls with dye can create a beautiful effect.
Advice for achieving natural-looking highlights
When attempting to achieve more natural-looking highlights, avoid stropping from the roots and select the strands that the sun would naturally hit. For sun-kissed color, use a bolder color choice around the face area.
Tips for maintaining your color at home
After coloring your hair at home, your primary focus should be on keeping it well-conditioned and moisturized. Color-enhancing shampoos, conditioners, and hair treatments can help you maintain beautiful, healthy-looking hair over time.
VII. How to Get the Perfect Highlights at Home: Expert Advice and Techniques
Recommendations from hair care professionals
For best results when applying highlights to your hair at home, consult with your hair stylist. Use color-safe dyes and bleaches while following all instructions commonly provided in home hair dye kits. For beginners, a safe choice is to use the simpler highlighting techniques, such as foil highlighting.
Advanced techniques for achieving professional-quality results
Advanced highlighting techniques involve the use of multiple colors, which add more dimension to your hair. It requires more effort and can be challenging when done alone, so ensure you read the instructions carefully and prepare accordingly. Additionally, it’s a good idea to do a color test in a small area to avoid potential complications.
Advice for troubleshooting common issues
A common problem is when the color doesn’t come out evenly or when you notice brassiness in your hair after applying highlights. If this happens, use a toner or purple shampoo to strike a balance with your hair to remove any brassy hues.
VIII. Conclusion
Highlighting your hair at home can be a fun and cost-effective way to explore your adventurous side when it comes to hair color. As long as you follow the instructions provided by the highlight kit carefully and take care of your hair correctly, your hair will come out beautifully. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced pro, we hope you learned some valuable tips in this article.
If you’re still hesitant about doing highlights at home, you can always get in touch with an expert in hair care to help you achieve the perfect hair color. The information provided in this article is just a basic guide that aims to help anyone who wishes to experiment with DIY highlights.
