Thinking about adding some dimension and brightness to your hair with highlights? Hair highlights are a fantastic way to enhance your natural hair color, add volume and texture, and refresh your look. But with so many options available, deciding if highlights are right for you and what kind to get can be a bit overwhelming. Don’t worry, this guide will answer all your questions about hair highlights for women.
What are Hair Highlights?
Hair highlights are sections of hair that are lightened a few shades than your base color. Highlights can be applied in various widths and tones, creating a variety of effects. From subtle sun-kissed strands to bold streaks of color, highlights can be customized to suit your desired look.
Benefits of Hair Highlights
There are many reasons why hair highlights are a popular choice for women. Here are some of the key benefits:
- Adds Dimension and Shine: Highlights add depth and interest to flat, one-dimensional hair. The play of light and shadow creates a more dynamic and visually appealing look.
- Boosts Volume and Texture: Highlights can make your hair appear thicker and fuller, especially for fine or limp hair. The contrast between light and dark tones creates the illusion of more volume.
- Enhances Your Natural Hair Color: Highlights can add warmth and richness to brown hair, brighten up blonde hair, or add a touch of red or gold for a touch of personality.
- Frames Your Face: Strategically placed highlights around the face can help to soften facial features and highlight your best assets.
- Low-Maintenance: Many highlighting techniques, like balayage and babylights, are low-maintenance and grow out naturally. This means fewer trips to the salon for touch-ups.
- Covers Grays: Highlights can be a great way to blend in gray hairs and create a more youthful appearance.
Things to Consider Before Getting Highlights
- Your Hair Type and Condition: Hair that is already damaged or chemically processed may not be a good candidate for highlights. Talk to your stylist about the health of your hair and if highlights are a good option.
- Your Base Hair Color: The lighter your base hair color, the more subtle the highlights will be. Darker hair can handle bolder highlights.
- Desired Look: Do you want a subtle sun-kissed look or something more dramatic? Bring inspiration photos to your consultation to help your stylist understand your desired outcome.
- Maintenance: Some highlighting techniques require more upkeep than others. Be sure you are realistic about how often you are willing to come in for touch-ups.
Types of Hair Highlights
There are many different highlighting techniques available, each with its own unique look. Here are some of the most popular options:
- Balayage: A freehand highlighting technique that creates a natural, sun-kissed look. The highlights are painted on in a sweeping motion, resulting in a soft blend of light and dark tones.
- Foiling: A traditional highlighting technique that uses foils to isolate sections of hair before lightening them. Foils allow for more precise placement of highlights and can create a more dramatic look.
- Babylights: Very fine, subtle highlights that mimic the natural lightening of hair by the sun. Babylights are a great way to add dimension and brightness without a drastic change.
- Highlights with Lowlights: Lowlights are sections of hair that are darkened a few shades to add contrast and depth to highlights.
Caring for Highlighted Hair
To keep your highlights looking their best, follow these hair care tips:
- Use a color-safe shampoo and conditioner: These products are formulated to protect your hair color from fading.
- Deep condition regularly: Highlights can dry out your hair, so deep conditioning is essential to keep your hair hydrated and healthy.
- Minimize heat styling: Heat can damage your hair and cause your highlights to fade. If you must use heat styling tools, be sure to use a heat protectant spray.
- Protect your hair from the sun: The sun can damage your hair and cause your highlights to fade. Wear a hat or use a leave-in conditioner with SPF when spending time outdoors.
What’s Next?
Hair highlights are a versatile and popular way to add dimension, shine, and volume to your hair. With so many options available, there is a highlighting technique to suit every hair type and desired look. If you are considering getting highlights, be sure to consult with a professional stylist and get the best hair shampoo and conditioner at The Refinery Salon. Connect with us to discuss your options and find the perfect look for you.
