What are highlights?
Highlights are simply pieces of hair that are lighter
than your natural color, explains Redken Artist George Garcia. If your base
color is brown, you can add highlights that are a lighter brown, or even have
brown hair with blonde highlights. For blondes, blonde highlights incorporate
lighter blonde shades. It's important to note that there are different types of
highlighting techniques, too. Traditionally, foils are used to strategically
isolate parts of the hair in various shapes and patterns, be that to create
contrast that's very bold, or very soft, says George. There's also a newer
technique, Balayage, where highlights are hand-painted onto smaller, more
random pieces of hair, resulting in a more lived-in look.
Why should I ask for highlights?
Regardless of which technique or color you go with,
there are plenty of pros to opting for highlights. Highlights are fresh and
youthful, says George, adding dimension and movement to any base color. Not to
mention that the maintenance and upkeep required is noticeably less than if you
were to change your hair color entirely AKA way fewer salon visits.
Why should I see a professional haircolorist for
highlights?
While there's no shortage of at-home highlighting kits
and YouTube tutorials, this is not the time to DIY. ?Yes, you can learn how to
apply a foil or paint on some color, but that technique might just work for one
type of haircut, and not yours, explains George. Professional colorists can
customize and tweak the color application to best enhance your hair style. Not
to mention that they are trained to take into account things like skin tone and
eye color when coming up with the best color palette for you. There's also the
matter of hair health. Because any type of highlights involve lightening the
hair, there is a potential for some damage. The pros are not only trained how
to use the color properly in order to minimize this damage, but can also
incorporate strengthening treatments to help maintain the health and integrity
of the hair. A favorite among colorists- The Redken pH-Bonder, an in-salon
treatment that protects the bonds in the hair and reduces breakage during color
services.
How do I maintain my highlights?
Lightening hair can make it start to feel dry and
brittle, so using the right products at home is key. ?Healthy hair also holds
color better, says Garcia, who recommends that anyone no matter whether they
have brown highlights or blonde highlights- use the Redken Extreme Strengthening
Shampoo and Redken Extreme Strengthening Conditioner. With an exclusive protein
complex, the duo strengthens the hair from root to core to tip. A weekly
treatment is also a must. George also suggests alternating between Redken's
spray-on, protein-rich Extreme Cat Protein Reconstructing Hair Treatment Spray
for the strengthening benefits, and the moisturizing All Soft Heavy Cream Super
Treatment Mask. Switching between these two will not only help keep your hair
strong and healthy, but also help you maintain your color.
To the point of maintaining your color, keep in mind
that blondes are especially susceptible, particularly those with cooler blonde
highlights. For this, try Redken Color Extend Blondage Color Depositing Purple
Shampoo, a violet shampoo and that counteracts unwanted yellowing to keep your
blonde highlights cool, not brassy. (Not to mention that it also contains a
strengthening Triple Acid Protein complex. Yes, please.) George suggests using
it weekly for the first few weeks post-highlights, gradually increasing the
frequency to twice a week.
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