Highlighting Tips for Hair
June 30, 2009
If you are bored with the natural colour of your hair, highlighting or streaking or finger painting your hair is a good idea. It will add intensity to your hair which would reduce the overall colour of your hair.
Darker hair is more difficult to highlight as compared to lighter shades of hair as an additional process of bleaching hair would be required for darker shades.
It is also important to make sure that the colour you are choosing would complement your natural hair colour, skin tone, dressing and lifestyle. For natural looking highlighted hair, it is best to choose a colour that is about 2 shades lighter. Read on for more tips that should be taken care of before highlighting hair.
Pre highlighting: Wash hair at least 2 -3 days before colouring the hair with a clarifying shampoo. Do not shampoo the hair on the same day of highlighting.
Things needed: Check expiry dates before buying the hair colour. It is a good idea to invest in some quality acrylic brushes which are easily available. These brushes should be flat ½ and ¼ inches in size. A good pair of well fitted latex gloves should be used while highlighting hair.
During highlighting: Start the process from the back of your hair to the front to avoid blotching or smudging of hair. Do not unnecessarily cover the below layers of hair as only the top layer is visible.
Finger painting vs. Streaking: Finger painting adds a subtle and basic colour effect to hair. This can be done by dipping latex covered gloves in the colour solution and applying on the hair. Following the application, rinsing, shampooing and conditioning is important. In contrast to finger painting, streaking gives a bolder look. This can be done by applying colour on strands of hair and wrapping them with foil paper. However a touch up would be needed to be done every 8 – 10 weeks.
Post highlighting: Highlighting requires use of chemicals that can be harmful to hair. Sometimes this colour leaves hair dry, coarse, dull or frizzy. To bring it back, a proper maintenance routine needs to be carried out. Regular oiling and deep conditioning is required. Also various shampoos and conditioners are especially available for colour treated hair.
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