Without making a major commitment to change, highlighting your curls can be a great way to update your appearance. However, in order to prevent damage, it’s crucial for people with curly hair to exercise caution when treating their hair.
Because it keeps your curls healthy and brightens your appearance, the light highlighting technique is a popular choice. It enhances the depth and dimension of your hair without changing its inherent texture.
This article will discuss what to consider before getting light highlights done, how they can change your curls, and how to keep your hair healthy afterward. We provide safe and easy ways to update your style, whether you’re new to highlighting.
- Light coloring of individual strands – what is it?
- Pros and cons of the method
- Distinctive features
- What types of coloring are considered soft?
- MAJIMECHES
- American
- Balayage
- Venetian
- Californian
- Shatush
- How to choose a shade?
- Preparation and algorithm for performing the procedure
- How long does the effect last and how to properly care for curls?
- How often should the procedure be repeated?
- Video on the topic
- Seminar "Fast hair highlighting techniques" with a technologist – expert #tefia – ♥ ️ #Kazan
Light coloring of individual strands – what is it?
Through a process known as "light highlighting," individual hair strands are dyed without affecting the hair’s root zone, and the dye itself is ammonia-free. If a skilled hairstylist executes the technique, the outcome is a stunning effect with vibrant overflows, and the curls appear incredibly tidy and lovely.
Why some highlighting techniques are regarded as gentle:
- highlighting is carried out with special dyes that do not contain ammonia and other chemical compounds harmful to the hair structure;
- only 40% of the curls are subject to coloring;
- the procedure does not affect the root zone hair, which is an undeniable advantage – the paint does not touch the scalp and cannot cause allergies.
Girls with long or medium-length hair can wear this coloring. Since it is very difficult to stretch the color correctly at home, only a professional stylist can do the procedure correctly on short hair.
Pros and cons of the method
Generally speaking, this highlighting has a positive impact:
- gentle effect on curls;
- a hairstyle with any haircut turns out voluminous;
- looks much more natural than full coloring;
- masks gray hair if it is less than 70%;
- the difference in color with growing roots is almost imperceptible.
The fact that you can update your image without drastically changing the color of your hair is another benefit. Additionally, since the grown roots are undetectable and you do not need to visit the master every month, you can save a lot of money on salon visits.
Additionally, there are drawbacks to using this coloring technique:
- Unlike plain staining for highlighting, much more time will take;
- the procedure is quite complicated, so it is better not to do it yourself;
- when dyeing dark curls, the result will be invisible.
Distinctive features
Regular highlighting is the process of lightening the strands all the way from the roots, using very strong ammonia-containing preparations. The curls go through a lot of stress and become dry, brittle, and dull.
Regarding light highlighting, since gentle, persistent compositions are used during the procedure, lightening is typically not used. Furthermore, the dye does not touch the scalp and the curls are not entirely colored.
What types of coloring are considered soft?
Professional colorists currently have a variety of methods for light highlighting; let’s look at the most popular ones.
MAJIMECHES
The basic idea behind this technique is to use colors like these to subtly darken the light strands:
- wheat;
- light brown;
- light honey;
- pearl amber.
In this example, hairstyles of any length yield a gorgeous, iridescent color. It is important to note that this method works for both weak and brittle hair as well as strong, healthy hair.
American
Long strands of hair look great with this type of coloring, which uses up to four natural shades. However, some professionals can use many more tones in one palette with success. A great choice for light brown curls, which will appear more voluminous and well-groomed because of American highlighting.
Balayage
With this method, foil is only used to lighten the ends of the hair. Not to mention, because it highlights the structure of layered and graduated haircuts, this coloring works really well with them.
Venetian
This kind of highlighting gives hair the appearance of being bleached by the sun. Use it on light brown or chestnut hair, as it will cause the hair to start shimmering and highlighting beautifully throughout. Since ammonia-free lighteners are used during coloring, which lightens the strands by 2-4 tones, the health of the curls is not harmed.
Californian
They retreat only 5 cm from the roots and the strands are randomly dyed, but the effect of this highlighting is very similar to Venetian. Another distinction is that the colored curls freely touch the remaining hair mass because foil is not used. Furthermore, the curls that encircle the face need to be dyed without fail.
Shatush
An additional method of soft highlighting is to lighten the curls starting in the middle of the length. The hairdo achieves the perfect depth of color palette because the strands are chosen in an erratic order. A comb is used to apply the coloring technique, or individual strands can be combed.
You can easily update your appearance with light highlighting without harming your natural curls. This method adds dimension to your hair while preserving its health and texture using subtle, well-placed color. Enhancing what you already have with the least amount of risk of over-processing or losing the natural bounce of your curls is the main goal. You don’t have to sacrifice the health of your hair to get a bright, new look with the correct strategy and expert care.
How to choose a shade?
The primary hair color and the woman’s skin tone determine the highlights’ color. Let’s look at how to choose them correctly:
- spring girl – in this case, the ideal colors will be wheat, gold, caramel, light blond, honey, ash;
- summer girl – straw, natural blond, platinum and silver, mahogany, chestnut are used;
- fall girl – red, copper, milk chocolate, cognac, chestnut;
- winter girl – mahogany, chestnut, black tulip, platinum.
Preparation and algorithm for performing the procedure
Highlighting is prepared according to the technology that will be utilized. You must get ready for the following:
- paint of the desired shade;
- plastic containers for preparing the composition;
- paint brush and comb;
- foil – if the appropriate technique is chosen.
The following is the dyeing algorithm:
- Dilute the dye that is needed.
- Dyeing must be done very quickly so that the color of the strands is the same. The paint on the strands is applied with smears depending on the chosen technology.
- The dye is kept on the hair according to the instructions – 20-40 minutes.
- Before washing off the dye, shade it with a damp brush along the strands so that the transition is smooth.
- The composition is washed off with a special shampoo and a balm is applied.
You can complete the process on your own, but only if you have the necessary curl-dying skills and can closely adhere to the directions.
How long does the effect last and how to properly care for curls?
Taking care of colored hair is easy:
- use special shampoos and balms for washing;
- apply treatment masks once a week;
- use toning agents if a bright shade was used during highlighting.
The color may stay on the curls for up to three months if all is done properly.
How often should the procedure be repeated?
It is important to note that light highlighting only requires one salon visit every three to four months; it is not necessary to repeat the procedure every month.
Highlighting Technique | Nuances for Curly Hair |
Gentle Lightening | Avoids harsh chemicals to keep curls healthy and soft |
Focus on Natural Look | Blends with your natural color, creating a soft, sun-kissed effect |
Partial Highlights | Less damage by treating only select strands, giving a subtle lift |
Moisturizing Treatments | Essential to maintain hydration and prevent dryness after coloring |
Choose the Right Stylist | A professional experienced with curls ensures better results |
A great way to revive your curls without sacrificing their health and bounce is with light highlighting. You can achieve a bold new look without sacrificing the manageability and softness of your hair by selecting the appropriate shades and styling methods.
You won’t have to give up your curl pattern or put up with needless damage if you take the proper approach. Because of this, light highlighting is a great choice for people seeking a subtle change.
In the end, using this technique lets you experiment with your look while maintaining the health, definition, and vibrancy of your curls.