Highlighting | Highlights | Hair

The wind, surf and sun make her hair glisten with golden highlights as she strolls
lazily on the beach. She was a college girl vacationing from her studies. Here, with her
girlfriends, they all had hair that radiated several shades of blonde, with long thin
streaks of strawberry blonde, platinum blonde and red over light and medium brown
giving the appearance of being au natural, but, with the fine tune of costing her
hundreds of dollars. Every day millions of women go to the salon of their choice to have
foils. This is part of their life. They set up a budget and realize they are high mainte-
nance ladies. Coloring their hair isn’t an option, but a necessity in their lives. As they
service their hair about 2 or 3 times a year, their stylist/colorist becomes a confidant and
friend as she shares her life story.

To lift your hair up one level or five depends upon the color of your natural hair.
If you are a dark blonde, your colorist can easily mix up a formula to lift your hair a few
shades lighter without applying bleach. If you have light brown hair and apply a high
powered blonde formula there will always be a certain amount of reddish blonde brought
up and deposited because all browns have a certain amount of red. Reddish blonde is
beautiful on some ladies and can look quite flattering with the proper complexion. If you

are a dark brown and have always dreamed of having highlights, here
is something for you to think about. When blonde is brought up out of
the dark, there will always be red involved because of all the levels the
process has to go through. The red/orange can be toned down with the
proper toner to deal with this. Light blonde strands running through
dark brown isn’t exactly the most complementary look on anyone
though. I’ve heard some call it the “skunky look”, others, an oreo
cookie. The contrast of light blonde and dark brown/black is way too
drastic. There is hope. Why not bring your hair up to a rich golden? Not
orange, but a shimmering gold. The dramatic effects could be dazzling.
If you are daring and would like to be lighter still, put another color along side your gold
and brown, like a rich coppery red. This would bring you three festive shades, discreetly,
of course. The best time to do this, if you want this to be kept secret, is be serviced at a
good reputable salon while you are on your holiday. One would think you’ve biked for
miles in the sunshine, when they admire your mane. If you are a redhead and desire
some highlights, this can be easily obtainable, foiling your hair up one or two shades.
Strawberry blonde enriches the whole head over a true redhead and you’ll be ready to go
anywhere with confidence.

          Highlighting covers up gray and makes you feel a little bit younger. For those
already young, it makes them feel much more attractive. Whether long or short hair,
highlighting is here to stay. My observation has statistically been that 98% women tint
their hair for fun or to cover up the gray, highlight or do both to their hair.

          Is highlighting for you, though? If you have silver hair and want to cover up the
gray by highlighting, chances are it will only make you look older. How can this be, you
might ask? Because, if you already have gray hair it will then, look yellowed and washed
out from the sun. You won’t be fooling anyone and will look exactly like what you’ve just
done, “highlighted” over gray hair. Because of this, many tint their hair first with an
attractive light brown/dark blonde color and then, highlight. Or, you can ask your hair-
dresser about putting in some low lights along with the highlights. This will take care of
the yellowish grayish blonde. Low lights can range in shades anywhere from chocolate
brown to a dark blonde for contrast and will do more deposit then lift. The rule of thumb
is to remember as you age to go lighter, not darker. Some want three shades and
decide upon a red too. When we age not only does our hair gray but it appears our facial
skin does too. We seem to “gray out” everywhere. Color does help us along this journey.
If you are fortunate enough to have silver hair mixing in with your brown, believe it or
not, you already have the most appealing color for you personally, unless your hair is
not ultra fine and difficult to work with. Then, color is in order for you. Another thought
towards covering the gray and having golden highlights without all of the cost is to
purchase a golden blonde/brown color and tint your whole head. The gray will be golden
with automatic highlights without all the expensive cost and your natural color should be
about 2 levels up with just a little bit of reddish tones involved. The secret isn’t so much
to look younger but to look attractive and well kept at your age. Ask your hairdresser if
there are other ways to cover your gray besides highlighting and perhaps suggest what
I’ve given.

          Blonde over blonde equals blonde. Why foil when your hair has become blonde
all over? At that point all you need is a touch up. If you are serious about a contrast,
in which case you are a good candidate for low lights. Remember, highlights and
lowlights are detail work and should be left up to the pro, this work can take many a
tedious hour. It will save you money in the end. Many a colorist has worked to repair
messed up colors.

          Have you ever heard the term “less is more?” That is especially true when it
comes to coloring. Subtly is much more attractive, than a head of hair that shouts “I am
blonde!” Mystery is magical, not obviousness. Be a wonder. Let their imagination’s
puzzle over the charisma of your locks. Be an enigma. With a good attitude, the right
color and cut, your hair can influence all those around you. You won’t have to shout
“I am a blonde.” All heads will be charmed when you walk into a room.

>>NEXT

Highlighting & Highlights