Highlights on Natural Hair
Hey there, natural hair enthusiasts! So, you're thinking about getting some dazzling highlights on your natural hair? Fantastic choice! There's no better way to elevate your look than adding a dash of color to your gorgeous tresses. Today, we've put together our top 10 methods to make your natural hair the talk of the town. Let's dive in, shall we?
1. Classic Foil Highlights
This is the traditional way of getting highlights, and it never goes out of style. By placing your hair in foils, the colorist can accurately paint the highlights, creating an array of shades that suit your natural hair. This technique offers a precise, vibrant finish that you'll definitely love!
2. Balayage
Meaning 'to paint' or 'to sweep' in French, balayage is the free-hand painting technique that provides a natural, sun-kissed look. It's perfect if you want subtle, gradual highlights on your natural hair that will catch the sun beautifully.
3. Ombre
The ombre technique creates a soft gradient from darker roots to lighter tips. It's ideal if you're after a low-maintenance style that will still turn heads.
4. Sombre
As the softer sister of ombre, sombre offers a more subtle and gradual transition. This method is perfect for those wanting a less dramatic, but equally stunning effect.
5. Babylights
Want to recreate the natural highlights you had as a child? Babylights are delicate, thin highlights that mimic those caused by the sun. They're an ideal choice if you're after a fresh, youthful look.
6. Chunky Highlights
Make a bold statement with chunky highlights! This technique adds large, standout streaks of color for a unique and vibrant effect.
7. Splashlights
If you want a pop of color that is a bit avant-garde, splashlights are the way to go. This technique involves painting a horizontal band of color around your hair for a striking, spotlight-like effect.
8. Ribbon Highlights
Perfect for curly and wavy hair types, ribbon highlights follow the curl pattern, creating a beautiful, dimensional color that enhances your natural texture.
9. Underlights
A sneaky way to add color to your hair without going all out. Underlights are applied underneath the top layer of hair, providing a peek-a-boo effect that's just plain fun.
10. Flamboyage
A hybrid of balayage and foil highlights, flamboyage provides a natural, yet bold look with random yet beautiful patches of color.
Remember, it's all about personal preference and what makes you feel the most beautiful! Experimenting with highlights on natural hair is a fun and creative journey towards finding the perfect look that truly represents you.
And now that you've got the scoop on the top 10 methods for stunning highlights on natural hair, it's time to take the plunge! Contact The Abode Salon today to schedule an appointment with our expert colorists. They can't wait to bring your dream hair to life!
Isn't it exciting? Your new, fabulous look is just a phone call away. Don't hesitate - it's time to let your natural hair shine like never before!
Here's to vibrant colors, fantastic highlights, and you rocking your natural hair like a pro!
Frequently Asked Questions
What highlights look more natural?
The choice of highlights for a more natural look largely depends on your existing hair color and skin tone. However, certain highlighting techniques are known to give a more natural appearance:
1. **Balayage:** As mentioned earlier, Balayage is a freehand hair coloring technique where color is swept or painted onto hair to create a graduated, more natural-looking effect. This method often leads to a sun-kissed and organic look.
2. **Babylights:** Babylights are very delicate, white-blonde highlights created using a very fine color technique to mimic that blonde hue achieved if your hair is naturally lightened in the sun. Babylights can be applied to any hair color and any hair type.
3. **Sombre (Subtle Ombre):** A softer and more subtle version of ombre, Sombre is great for a natural look. It's a color technique that allows for a softer, more seamless transition between colors.
4. **Lowlights:** Lowlights involve darkening strands of hair by applying color that's a few shades darker than your natural color. This technique adds depth and dimension to your hair, making it look voluminous and naturally multi-tonal.
Remember, the key to a natural look is to select highlight colors that are only a few shades lighter than your base color. Also, it's important to work with a professional stylist who can blend the highlights well for a seamless finish. The objective is to mimic the natural variations in color that could occur from sun exposure or from when you were a child.
What highlights mess up curly hair?
Certain highlighting techniques can potentially damage or disrupt the natural curl pattern of curly hair if not executed properly. Here are a few methods to be cautious of:
1. **Frequent and excessive lightening:** Bleaching or strong lightening agents can weaken the hair shaft, leading to dryness, breakage, and loss of curl definition.
2. **Full-head highlights:** Applying highlights all over the head can make curly hair look flat and one-dimensional, as curls already have natural variation and movement.
3. **High-contrast or chunky highlights:** Poorly blended chunky or high-contrast highlights can create an unnatural appearance, especially in curly hair where the curls may not blend seamlessly with the highlights.
4. **Heat damage during highlighting:** Excessive heat during the highlighting process can damage curly hair, leading to moisture loss, frizz, and loss of curl definition.
To protect your curls, consult with an experienced stylist who understands the unique needs of curly hair. They can recommend highlighting techniques that complement your curls and maintain their natural beauty. Additionally, follow a proper hair care routine, including moisturizing, deep conditioning, and minimizing heat styling, to keep your curls healthy and vibrant.
How do you apply highlights to natural hair?
Applying highlights to natural hair requires careful consideration and proper technique to achieve the desired results. Here's a general guide on how highlights are typically applied to natural hair:
1. **Consultation:** Start by consulting with a professional stylist who specializes in color treatments. Discuss your goals, preferences, and expectations for the highlights. They will assess your hair type, texture, and current color to determine the best approach.
2. **Choosing the right color:** Work with your stylist to select a highlight color that complements your natural hair. Consider your skin tone, eye color, and the desired effect you want to achieve. They may suggest shades that are a few levels lighter than your base color for a subtle and natural look.
3. **Sectioning the hair:** The stylist will divide your hair into small, manageable sections using clips or foils. This ensures that the color is applied evenly and precisely.
4. **Applying the color:** Depending on the technique chosen, the colorist will either paint or weave the highlight color onto the selected sections of your hair. This can be done using foils, balayage brushes, or other tools. They will apply the color starting from the mid-lengths to the ends, or create a root-to-tip application depending on the desired effect.
5. **Processing time:** The colorist will let the highlights develop, allowing the color to lift and lighten. The processing time varies based on the desired level of lightness and the hair's natural color.
6. **Rinsing and treatment:** Once the desired color is achieved, the stylist will rinse out the color and apply a toner or conditioning treatment if necessary. This helps to neutralize any unwanted tones and restore moisture to the hair.
7. **Styling and maintenance:** After the color treatment, your stylist will typically style your hair to showcase the highlights. They may use techniques like diffusing or air-drying for curly hair to enhance the natural texture and showcase the highlights beautifully.
Remember, it's crucial to work with a professional colorist who has experience with natural hair and understands the unique characteristics of your hair type. Proper maintenance and regular touch-ups will help maintain the vibrancy and integrity of your highlights over time.