Last week, I went to my stylist for a trim, and she complimented my highlights, then asked (in a rather hurt tone) who did them. When I told her I did my own highlights, she was surprised, and I was flattered — I’ve been doing them myself for years, mostly because I was budget-conscious, not because I thought I’d get salon results. I got some more advice from my stylist, and I can’t wait to do them myself again next month. Here are 9 tips for doing your own highlights. Can you do them yourself, and shock your own stylist? Let’s see…
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1. Test It out
Once you’ve selected the home highlights product you want to use, it’s time to test it to make sure it works on your hair, before you attempt to do your whole head. Choose a strand of hair where no one will be able to see (at the bottom, in the back) and apply the product according to the instructions. Wait for the required time, rinse, dry, and see if you like the results. If it’s not blonde enough, reapply and wait longer in increments of 10 minutes; if it’s too blonde, subtract increments of 10 minutes til you have the shade you want.
2. Do It Dirty
My brilliant stylist says that you definitely do not want to apply highlights to clean hair, and especially not to wet or damp hair. Applying highlights to hair you washed yesterday is the best idea, so lazy girls like me, take note of this tip for doing your own highlights!
Natural oils can actually protect your scalp during the highlighting process, and they help the color to adhere better to your hair strands. So if you're planning to brighten your locks, skip the shampoo for a day or two before. What's more, oily hair tends to be less slippery, which allows for an easier grip when you're sectioning it out for those perfect highlights. Just imagine that bit of extra grease as your DIY-friendly partner in crime for achieving salon-worthy strands!
Frequently asked questions
First, make sure your hair is detangled before you start. Use a hook tool to gently pull small sections through the cap. It helps to have a friend assist, especially at the back.
Absolutely! With patience and the right tools, anyone can do highlights at home. Just make sure to follow the step-by-step instructions carefully.
Place the cap snugly over your head, use the hooked tool to pull hair through the pre-made holes, and make sure to pull evenly to avoid patchiness. Take your time – it’s totally worth it!
Oh, I’ve got a few! Always section your hair first, check your progress in a mirror, and make sure the cap fits well. Also, don’t rush – this is a process best done with care.
Not really! You’ll need a good highlighting cap, a hook tool, and your highlighting kit. Maybe grab a friend to help out too – it can be tricky alone, especially if it's your first time.
3. Subtle or Bold?
Now it’s time to pull on that little cap that came with your at-home highlights kit. Make sure it’s tied on snugly, then take note of all those little holes in the cap. Those holes will help you pull through just the right amount of hair in all the right places, to get the look you want. For more drastic, noticeable highlights, pull thick strands of hair through all of the holes. For much more subtle highlights, pull thin strands of hair to every other hole. For chunky highlights only in the front, pull thick strands of hair through every other hole in the front and sides only. I can’t stress this tip for doing your own highlights enough: it’s important to think about the look you want BEFORE you start pulling hair through the holes!
When it comes to DIY highlights, it's important to remember that the thickness of the strands you pull through the cap will determine the look you get. For a bold, drastic look, pull thick strands of hair through every hole in the cap. If you're going for a more subtle look, pull thin strands of hair through every other hole. For a chunky, highlighted look only in the front, pull thick strands of hair through every other hole in the front and sides only.
When you're ready to start, make sure your hair is freshly washed and combed through. If you have curly or wavy hair, you can straighten it before you start. This will help you pull the strands through the cap more easily.
It's also important to use the right color of dye for your hair. If you have dark hair, you'll want to use a lighter shade of dye than your natural color. This will help create the highlighted look you're going for. If you have lighter hair, you'll want to use a darker shade of dye to create a more subtle look.
4. Brush Well
Once you’ve pulled all the hair you want through the holes in the cap, it’s important to gently brush the strands of hair to make sure there are no tangles. Once you’re done, tuck the rest of your hair under the ends of the cap, and get ready to highlight!
5. Apply Generously
There’s a lot of highlighting goop in that at-home highlights kit, isn’t there? It depends. If you have a lot of hair, or very long hair, you might need two kits; for thin or short hair, one kit ought to be plenty… and really slather it on your hair, from tip to tip, or you’ll get uneven, weird results. Trust me. I’ve ended up with what can best be described as leopard spots before.
Remember, application is key, and it's better to have too much product than too little. Ensure every strand you want highlighted is fully saturated. Divide your hair into sections and paint each piece from the roots to the ends with a steady hand. Take your time – rushing will only lead to missed spots and a patchy look. If you're going for a subtle effect, feather the product near the roots for a more natural gradient. A thorough, even coverage will give you that salon-fresh look without the hefty price tag.
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6. Wipe Away
It’s nearly impossible to apply at-home highlights without getting some on your face or neck, so once you’re done applying the cream to your hair, take a few minutes to wipe the excess off your skin. It can cause a chemical burn, and worse. Also, though you may be tempted, don’t apply the highlighting cream to your eyebrows or eyelashes. If you’ve ever accidentally gotten any in your eyes, you’ll understand why.
To avoid skin irritation, use a damp cloth or cotton pad soaked in water or a gentle makeup remover to dab away any stray highlighting product. For stubborn dye stains, a specialized dye remover or a mixture of baking soda and dish soap can work wonders. Remember to act quickly—as the dye sets, it becomes more difficult to remove, so swift action is key to keeping your skin stain-free. Always handle your skin with care to avoid unnecessary irritation or damage from these potent chemicals.
7. Be Patient!
Once you’ve set your timer, it’s time to relax and let the highlighting goop do its thing. Be patient; if you stop the process too soon, you’ll end up with brassy orange highlights rather than creamy white tones. Read a book, do the dishes, buff your nails, find something, anything, to do to occupy yourself while you’re waiting.
Remember that good things come to those who wait. Rushing the process can not only compromise your hair’s health but also lead to uneven or lackluster results. Setting a soothing ambiance with your favorite playlist or podcast can also make the time fly. And, if you feel tempted to rinse off early, remind yourself why you started this beauty project in the first place: to look and feel fabulous. After all, achieving those perfect sun-kissed tresses is a testament to your commitment, so give them the time they need to develop flawlessly.
8. Add Another Color?
Once you’ve done applying the highlights, and washing away the goop, don’t take the cap off unless you’re sure you won’t be adding a color. Now is the time to do it; all the blonde hair is neatly portioned off. Blue? Red? Green? Violet? Layer on another color, then wait again. This is one of those tips for doing your own highlights you’ll be glad you read… it can save you so much time and effort later!
When choosing that second hue, consider the tone of your base color and how the new shade will blend. For a more subtle, sun-kissed effect, warm tones like caramel or copper complement blonde beautifully. For a bold statement, think about cooler shades like pastel pinks or deep purples which can create a striking contrast. Always use a separate brush and bowl to avoid mixing colors, and apply carefully to prevent bleeding. Patience is key here – take your time to get those salon-worthy results at home. Remember, if you're layering colors, the second dye may require a different processing time.
9. Take Care
Once you’ve got these glorious at-home highlights, it’s time to take care of them. Use a shampoo and conditioner especially for color-treated hair, and use it religiously every other time you shampoo. And be sure to re-apply your highlights every 6 to 8 weeks, to keep the look fresh, without roots. Unless you like that look!
Now that you’ve read these tips for doing your own highlights, are you feeling confident… and colorful? When will you do your own highlights, and will you add another dash of color over the blonde? Do you have any other tips to share?
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