Hair Color And Highlights: Trends, Techniques, and DIY Tips
Hair color and highlights continue to dominate salon chairs and home styling routines alike. Whether you’re aiming for subtle dimension or a bold statement, understanding the basics of lightening, placement, and maintenance can help you achieve salon‑quality results without the extra cost. Below, we explore popular highlight styles, a step‑by‑step tutorial for baby lights using Sally Hansen’s lightener, and practical advice for blending a money piece as it grows out.
Why Highlights Remain Popular
Highlights add depth, brighten the complexion, and create the illusion of fuller hair. Strategic placement of lighter strands can soften facial features, enhance eye color, and mask the appearance of damage. Because they involve only part of the hair, highlights are also less damaging than full‑head bleaching.
Common Highlight Techniques
- Balayage – A freehand painting method that produces a natural, sun‑kissed effect.
- Foil highlights – Sections of hair are wrapped in foil for precise color control.
- Babylights – Ultra‑fine highlights that mimic the subtle strands seen on children’s hair.
- Money piece – A concentrated section of lighter hair around the face, often used to frame the forehead and cheekbones.
Step‑by‑Step Tutorial: Baby Lights with Sally Hansen Lightener
Babylights create a delicate, natural shimmer. The following guide uses Sally Hansen’s lightening kit, which is formulated for at‑home use and includes a gentle developer.
Materials Needed
- Sally Hansen Lightening Powder
- Sally Hansen 20‑Volume Developer (6%)
- Mixing bowl and brush
- Fine-tooth comb
- Protective gloves
- Aluminium foil or a plastic cap
- Color‑safe shampoo and conditioner
Preparation
Start with clean, dry hair. Section the hair into four quadrants (two at the back, two at the front) using the fine‑tooth comb. This organization helps you work evenly and prevents overlapping.
Mix the Lightener
- Put on gloves.
- In the mixing bowl, combine one part Sally Hansen Lightening Powder with two parts 20‑volume developer. Stir until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps.
- Allow the mixture to sit for 2‑3 minutes; this activates the lightening agents.
Application Process
- Take a thin strand (about the
