Highlighting on long hair: types and subtleties of execution

Sometimes there are situations when girls want to change their image, but at the same time they do not dare to make radical changes. For example, changing the color of the hair is a rather decisive measure, besides traumatic strands, so highlighting will be the best way out in this situation.

Highlighting on long hair involves lightening individual strands in light shades that are different from the native color. Most often, related light tones are selected. As a result, the effect of smooth overflows of color is created on the curls, the hair becomes as if burnt out in the sun, which makes their appearance more well-groomed and fresh.

Among the advantages of this technique include the following.

• Dyeing does not require frequent correction. As the hair grows back, the border between the native and the colored areas becomes invisible, so you will not have to visit the colorist more than once a quarter.
• Gentle effect. The technique is the best option to change the color of the hair without resorting to full dyeing. When highlighting, no more than 50% of the strands are dyed, so the procedure is much less dangerous for hair than plain coloring.
• Volume increase. Correctly conducted highlighting visually adds volume to the hairstyle, increases the density and splendor, creates a 3D effect.

However, do not forget that, like any technique associated with a chemical effect on the hair, highlighting has its drawbacks.

• It is rarely used on bright red and black hair. Such tones are washed out very poorly and it is impossible to achieve overflows without a strong preliminary bleaching.
• If the hair has been dyed, then the strands can be repainted no earlier than after a month, otherwise the final shade will differ significantly from the expected one.
• Highlighting is a rather lengthy procedure, if you decide on this type of highlighting, then be prepared for what you will have to spend about 4 hours at the hairdresser.
• Despite the fact that only part of the hair is repainted, the risk of damage remains, therefore, in the absence of proper care after the procedure, the hair in the near future can become like a bundle of straw.
• With the wrong choice of shade, curls can acquire an untidy and groomed look, therefore, when planning painting, consult a master. He will tell you what shades will most successfully fall on the hair, taking into account the characteristics of the strands, haircuts and color type of appearance.

Depending on which color effect you are looking for, highlighting on long hair can be performed using one of the following techniques.

• Classic - in this case, individual strands discolor, so that they stand out effectively against the background of the total mass of the main shade. In this embodiment, the curls to be clarified are selected using a separator in a comb in a zigzag fashion with the same pitch, and after the coloring composition is applied to them, they are wrapped in foil. Such staining is most often used by brunettes.

• American - This option is designed to obtain the effect of sun glare on the locks. Usually from the roots to the tips soft overflows are formed from a dark shade to a lighter one, while the oxygen agent allows one to achieve clarification of individual strands by 3-4 tones. The result is the effect of sunburned hair.

• Majimesh - a technique that was first introduced in France. It involves the use of ammonia-free dyes, which quite harmoniously shade thick blond and light brown curls, creating tints that are as close as possible to the natural color.

• Shatush - A type of highlighting, in which the paint gently shades along the entire length of the hair. Distinctive features of such staining are fleece on strands, random strokes and drying of the color without the use of foil and film.

• Balayazh - this method of coloring is used for dark hair. It allows you to bring feminine and romantic notes of sun glare to the look, while the color transitions can be both smooth and sharp.

The highlighting is considered to be highlighting, which is performed in light shades.

For owners of red and red shades of hair, highlighting is difficult - the pigment is slightly dyed. Nevertheless, when using good oxidizing agents, the image can turn out to be very bright, but at the same time elegant - most often shades of beige, amber or cherry are used here.

Regardless of which shade you prefer, keep in mind the main rule of highlighting is Cold colors (autumn and winter) are suitable for cold shades, and for owners of warmer “summer” and “spring” types, warm tones are suitable, respectively. If this principle is violated, highlighting can play a pretty bad joke with women, adding a couple of years visually.

There are several interesting options for highlighting. Some of them allow you to create soft color shades, while others have the goal of creating stylish contrasts.

Depending on the staining technique, the following techniques are distinguished:

• complete - in this case, 40-55% of the total mass of hair is decorated;

• rare - at the same time, no more than 20% of the hair is dyed, the strands emit rather thick, remote from each other;

• zonal - involves staining individual areas, most often it is bangs, locks that frame the face, or asymmetric curls;

• highlighting of the crown - at the same time, strands are selected for coloring only on the top of the head;

• backlight inside - here on the inner ringlets bright glare is created;

• "frost" - such highlighting is most in demand among owners of curly hair.

• shallow - in this case, thin locks are selected all over the head in a chaotic manner, which are discolored, and then tinted to eliminate the effect of yellow hair.

Three types of paints are used for the procedure.

• Cream. This is the most common option. The consistency of the composition gently lays on the strands, does not spread, well distributed over the entire length of the curls.
• Oily. Thanks to its special structure, it allows the pigment to penetrate as deep as possible into the hair.
• Powdery. The most aggressive in its effect of all the others. This composition allows you to achieve maximum discoloration of the strands, but it often causes irritation and allergies.

Highlighting is a rather complicated procedure, which is best done in the cabin. But if the girl does not have the opportunity to visit a professional colorist, then you can resort to highlighting through a hat - this is the method most popular when staining at home.

Step-by-step procedure is as follows.

1. A special hat for highlighting is put on the hair. It can be purchased ready-made or made on its own by making small holes in a checkerboard pattern in a bathing cap made of polyethylene.
2. With the help of a hairpin or a hook, thin strands are taken out of the holes. To achieve the maximum change in the shade of hair, you should pull the hair out of each hole, if you intend to achieve a medium intensity coloring, then the strands need to be pulled through one, and for easy execution - through two.
3. In a glass or porcelain bowl, paint is diluted and, with a brush or sponge, is applied to selected strands. The exposure time of the composition depends on the desired result. If you want to achieve discoloration by one tone, then the paint is kept for 15-20 minutes, for maximum clarification, they are washed off only after 40-50 minutes. The maximum allowable time, as a rule, is indicated in the instructions for the coloring composition.
4. Streaked strands are washed with a special deep cleaning shampoo designed to care for colored hair. After all the paint is washed off, it is imperative to apply conditioner balm.

After highlighting long hair, you need to pay special attention to caring for them. You should use special shampoos for colored hair, as the usual ones contain sulfates, which wash the pigment dye and as a result the color is dull and lifeless.

It is necessary to minimize all effects on the hair at elevated temperatures - limit the use of irons and styling pads, and if this cannot be avoided, then apply thermal protective agents to the hair before use.

Be sure to resort to the use of masks and serums, which restore the structure of curls, heal and improve the appearance of strands.

Highlighting on long hair appeared 70 years ago and since then has invariably remained fashionable and relevant, as if re-experiencing its birth.At the same time, the principle of coloring remains unchanged, but with each season new coloring techniques and spectacular color combinations appear.

If you still doubt whether to measure your long curls or not, check out our photo selection. Perhaps examples of stylish coloring will inspire you to change your usual look.

You can get acquainted with the technique of coloring balayazh in the next video.