Highlighting on long hair – pros and cons, before and after photos, who it suits and the TOP 10 best techniques

One of the most common ways to give your look dimension and brightness is by highlighting your long hair. Highlights can bring out your natural color and give your hair a bright, new look, whether you’re going for a subtle change or a dramatic makeover.

But highlighting has benefits and drawbacks just like any other hair style. Even though the results can be breathtaking, it’s crucial to be prepared before committing. This post will examine who this technique works best for, weigh the benefits and drawbacks, and provide before and after pictures.

We’ll also walk you through the TOP 10 best highlighting methods for long hair so you can find the ideal look to complement your individual style. For every type of hair and personality, there is a technique that suits them, whether you prefer subtle balayage or bold streaks.

Pros	Cons
Creates dimension and depth	Can cause hair damage if not done carefully
Gives a fresh, modern look	Requires regular touch-ups
Can enhance natural hair color	Expensive maintenance
Suitable for any hair length, especially long hair	Time-consuming process
Multiple techniques available for personalization	Not always easy to reverse

Features of highlighting on long hair

Curls below the shoulders can be colored to create a subtle contrast with the dyed strands, highlighting the beauty of the hair’s natural color. This technique will also give the hairstyle a thicker, more put-together appearance.

Almost any highlighting technique can be applied to a long haircut, producing either smooth and imperceptible tone transitions or contrasting clear lines. This type of hair is perfect for gradient coloring, which involves carefully shading and stretching the color to create a natural-looking effect on the chosen curls.

This coloring’s primary characteristics are:

• the possibility of dyeing using various methods, including ombre, balayage and gradient tactics;
• In this case, a hat is quite rarely used;
• Before carrying out the clarification procedure, it is recommended to refresh the haircut and remove the ended ends;
• the best option for many types of highlighting are long cascading hairstyles;
• suitable for lightening bangs.

!Critical A little bit of lightening of the hair in the vicinity of the face will revitalize the face and add drama, lightness, and expression to the picture.

Long hair highlights can completely change the way you look by adding brightness, depth, and dimension, but they also need upkeep to look good. This method produces a wide range of styles, from delicate to striking, and works well with a variety of hair types. If not applied carefully, it can dry out or damage hair even though it can enhance natural beauty and give the appearance of sun exposure. We’ll go over the benefits and drawbacks, show you before and after pictures, talk about which person looks best for highlighting, and highlight the top ten techniques in this post.

Pros and cons

The primary benefit of this coloring technique is that it is safe, which is crucial for long hair because it is typically more prone to dryness and brittleness.

Advantages:

• a result that transforms the hairstyle;
• addition of splendor and volume;
• delicate effect of coloring agents;
• the ability to create a new image without a radical change in the main color;
• minimization of damage to hair during the procedure.

Cons:

• cost. To color long curls, as a rule, more coloring composition is required;
• duration. Dying such hair can take quite a long time;
• risk of overdrying the curls;
• regular use of professional moisturizing products.

Hair care after coloring should be extremely thorough, necessitating the stages of moisturizing and nourishing, as long haircuts typically require special attention.

Contraindications to highlighting

As highlighting is a fairly gentle and safe coloring technique, there aren’t many reasons why it shouldn’t be used.

• individual intolerance to any of the products used or their components;
• irritation or excessive dryness of the scalp;
• hair loss;
• recent coloring in any way;
• recently performed perm.

It is advised to start nourishing and softening the hair two weeks prior to the procedure with oils and balms free of silicones to lessen the chance of the curls overdrying.

Types and options for highlighting on long hair

It won’t be hard to choose your perfect extended haircut coloring option because there are so many to choose from. Every coloring method has unique qualities and variations in the finished product.

Different kinds of highlighting

• classic. The classic method highlights strands of medium width along the entire length, also coloring the bangs, which creates a contrast effect;
• Venetian. Slight lightening of several curls helps add shine and the look of naturally sun-bleached hair to the hair. The color tones used in this case are similar to the main color;
• Californian. Californian coloring involves lightening small areas to achieve the effect of overflows and light bleaching with light shades;
• shatush. A gradient method that stretches the color along the entire length, making soft color transitions that look harmonious and stylish;
• balayage. Inclusion of light, sunny strands in dark-colored hair will add tenderness and make the haircut more romantic and feminine;
• ombre. A gradient technique with fairly clear boundaries. Often used to color the lower part of the curls, closer to the ends, with bright, unusual tones;
• veil highlighting. The veil technique colors the main upper part of the hair, thanks to which the effect of a light veil is achieved, which, like a wig, covers the color of your hair;
• partial coloring. Partial lightening helps to paint over gray hair and add brightness and color to the image;
• mazhikontrast. A method of lightening small strands with an ammonia-free soft dye is ideal for owners of light hair. Can be done both with contrasting clear edges and with shading;
• diagonal coloring. Diagonal coloring makes it possible to get a very original and unusual look of curls that seem to shimmer and shine from the sunlight.

!It’s important to understand Depending on personal preferences, the primary color of the hair, and the type of hair, women of any age can achieve spectacular coloring thanks to a variety of techniques and methods for lightening strands.

Selecting the type of highlighting

The primary color of the hair and the intended outcome are typically taken into consideration when choosing the type of coloring.

Selecting the kind of highlight:

• frequent coloring on long curls. Usually applied to light curls, adding dynamism and shine;
• rare. A rare type makes it possible to emphasize the beauty and richness of the base shade of curls, therefore it is most often used on dark hair;
• small. Small coloring is often used in the “veil” technique, ideally combined with any type of hair, with the exception of black;
• large. Large lightening is used in the classic version of highlighting and suits any type of curls.

The face shape and type of appearance have a major influence on the width of the highlighted strands. Therefore, wide coloring works best for elongated shapes, while thinly lightened strands work best for round shapes.

Highlighting depending on hair characteristics

Both the coloring technique and the appropriate choice of thickness for the lighter sections are heavily influenced by the curl structure.

• for long curly curls. Curly hair should be lightened in fairly large, wide strands, and the shade should be chosen so that it does not get lost in the voluminous shock. For this, you can use the classic lightening method, or majimesh;
• for straight hair. Straight curls go well with any type of coloring, from gradient methods to partial or fine lightening.

Because their porous structure allows the coloring composition to be absorbed more effectively, curly curls typically take less time to hold the color.

Highlighting depending on hair color

Generally speaking, the appropriate shade choice—which is made based on the hair’s natural base color—determines the type of coloring and final outcome.

Highlighting on hair of different colors:

• highlighting on dark hair. Transforms the haircut, making it brighter, more contrasting and original. For a natural effect, the Venetian method is best suited, and for a more colorful result – majimesh;
• on light. Light curls can be given shine, radiance and richness using Californian or partial lightening;
• on red. The brightness and beauty of red hair is successfully emphasized by frequent or classic coloring, giving the hair brightness and dynamism;
• on dark blond. Dark blond color will become even richer and more interesting thanks to contrasting ombre or veil highlighting;
• on light blond. Light blond hair will acquire sophistication and refinement thanks to the addition of contrasting light strands in the Californian technique, or in the gradient shatush technique;
• on gray. You can hide gray hair with partial or fine coloring, choosing strands to match the base color or slightly lighter.

Tones such as caramel and beige are typically used for light curls and nutty and honey for dark curls. Dark hair is effectively diluted with purple tones in a bright image, while light hair is diluted with pink and red tones.

The most suitable shades and techniques

In this instance, selecting a shade is the most crucial step. It is advised to use shades that are similar to the primary hair color but differ by two or three tones in order to produce a stunning, natural-looking image of sun-bleached curls.

Favored hues

• light coloring. Used to create a natural effect and is considered the most versatile and practical. Suitable for all hair types;
• ash. The ash palette includes silver and graphite tones, which are often used to paint over gray hair;
• red. Red color goes well with a dark shade of hair, creating an unusual contrast;
• violet. Purple is usually applied to black or dark blond hair, adding originality and uniqueness to the hairstyle;
• pink. Pink coloring on light curls using the ombre method will make the haircut brighter and more memorable;
• red. Highlighting strands with a red color will suit light brown curly hair. This highlighting looks quite interesting and gives a spectacular golden shine to the hair.

Vibrant colors let you create a very unique and youthful-looking image. Such hues are typically colored using tinting agents or gentle, ammonia-free dyes.

Highlighting on long hair at home

You can color yourself at home using any method you choose. In this instance, you can color with a variety of tools, such as foil, a comb, and a cap. The item chosen will depend on the desired outcome as well as experience; for example, lightening hair with a comb or foil may require some skill and practical knowledge, but even a woman who has never dyed her own hair can use a cap.

How to do highlights – technique:

On foil. Foil is the most adaptable and practical accessory for long hair because it lets you lighten your hair in any way.

1. comb your locks, getting rid of tangles;
2. part your hair and separate the strands in a checkerboard or chaotic pattern;
3. fix the selected strands with small hairpins;
4. dilute the dye, following the instructions on the package;
5. take the first strand, put foil under it and, using a brush, apply the lightener to your hair, trying to make light, smooth movements;
6. after applying the dye, comb the strand and wrap it in foil like an envelope;
7. dye the remaining strands using the same method and wrap them all in foil;
8. after a certain amount of time, which is determined by the instructions on the bottle of paint, as well as the type of hair and the result that should be achieved, wash off the paint under warm water, unfolding the foil at the same time;
9. each strand should be released one by one, rinsing it under water;
10. after all the strands are washed, wash your hair with a soft, safe shampoo and apply a moisturizing balm.

!Important

Within the cap. Longer strands are more difficult to pull out through the holes and take longer, so the cap is typically used to color short curls. Still, this is a good technique for people who are new to dying.

1. comb your hair with a fine-tooth comb;
2. put on a hairdressing cap, trying to press it tighter to your head. Fix it, making sure that it does not move;
3. using a hook, carefully pull out the strands, then comb them again. The number and width of strands is selected individually;
4. prepare the dye composition;
5. apply the composition to the selected curls;
6. after about 20 minutes, wash off the paint with warm water and a mild cleansing shampoo and apply conditioner.

Comb. When splitting curls for coloring, a comb makes it very easy and time-efficient to select multiple strands of the same width at once.

1. comb your hair;
2. using a special comb for coloring with teeth, select several curls and fix them. To do this, run the comb through the curls, trying to take the strand deeper, then slightly pull the tool up, after which the strands will stand out themselves;
3. prepare the coloring solution according to the recommendations on the package;
4. apply the lightener to the strands and wait the required amount of time;
5. wash off the paint with warm water and shampoo and moisturize the curls with conditioner.

Crucial. Apply a small amount to the inside bend of your elbow or your wrist to ensure you are not allergic to the coloring agent before using it for the first time.

Cost of highlighting on long hair

The type of highlighting and the master’s experience determine the cost of coloring long curls in a salon. Standard coloring for an extended haircut typically costs between 4,000 and 9,000 rubles.

Should you choose to color it yourself, the cost will primarily depend on the paint and color selection. The entire cost typically ranges from 500 to 800 rubles.

Long hair highlights are a chic and adaptable way to change up your appearance. It gives your hair more body and vibrancy by adding dimension and texture. There are methods to fit every taste and style, whether you like your highlights to be bold or subtle.

Nonetheless, it’s crucial to think about maintenance. Highlights can be harsh on hair if not done carefully, and they can require regular maintenance to keep the color looking fresh. Minimizing damage and preserving hair health can be achieved by selecting the appropriate technique and consulting with a qualified specialist.

In the end, highlighting works well on a variety of skin tones and hair types and provides countless customizing options. There is a technique that will enhance your long locks beautifully, whether you’re looking to create a dramatic transformation or just add some brightness and lightness.

Video on the topic

Hair highlighting, ten strands and a haircut