How to do highlighting with foil at home

If you want to update your appearance without breaking the bank, highlights in your hair at home can be a lot of fun. Foil is a common technique that helps separate the highlighted strands and produces a more precise, salon-like look. Gorgeous highlights can be achieved from the comfort of your home with the correct techniques and equipment, even though it might seem difficult at first.

For a naturally sun-kissed look and to add dimension to your hair, foil highlighting is ideal. You can manage the location and intensity of the highlights by parting your hair carefully and using the lightening product. Depending on your preferred look, this technique can be used for both understated and bold styles.

An easy way to tackle this, whether you’re trying it for the first time or want to get better at it, is to follow a detailed, step-by-step method. You can achieve professional-looking results without leaving your house with a little patience and practice.

Step	Description
1. Prepare materials	Gather foil, a brush, hair dye, and gloves. Cut the foil into strips that are slightly longer than your hair length.
2. Section your hair	Divide your hair into small sections, using clips to keep the rest of the hair out of the way.
3. Apply the dye	Take a small strand of hair, place it on a foil strip, and apply the dye with a brush, starting from the roots to the ends.
4. Fold the foil	Once the dye is applied, fold the foil over the hair to wrap it securely.
5. Repeat	Continue this process across all sections you want to highlight, making sure each strand is wrapped in foil.
6. Wait and rinse	Follow the dye"s instructions for processing time. Once time is up, carefully remove the foil and rinse your hair thoroughly.

History of highlighting with foil

The renowned hairdresser and creator of a well-known chain of beauty salons, Jacques Dessange, is credited as being the creator of partial hair lightening. His observation of hair fading in the sun gave rise to the idea.

As an advocate of all things natural and organic, Dessange observed that the curls are only partially lightened by the heat of the sun. He made the decision to apply this in hairdressing so that the changes between light and dark strands would not be visible. This was the appearance of highlighting.

Brigitte Bardot was the first creative stylist model. However, the precise identity of the person who initially chose to employ foil in the technology is unknown. Dessange is, after all, the man who invented the plastic cap with the holes through which lightning is pulled. Nevertheless, the foil paper method is regarded as the traditional way of highlighting.

Furthermore. The creation of the garcon haircut, the babette hairstyle, the Baby Liss curling iron, and the permanent curling iron—all credited to Jacques Dessange’s father, Rene Dessange—also made his name famous.

Types of highlighting that use foil

The following categories of foil highlighting exist:

• Classic. Narrow or wide strands are dyed evenly along the entire length. Hair will look more natural if you choose colors close to the original shade, and take thin curls.
• Zonal. One part of the head is dyed, usually the top. This method gives visual volume to the hair.
• Partial. Only some strands of hair or only near the face are highlighted with contrasting paint.
• Reverse. Involves not lightening, but darkening, if the original color is close to blond. This variety is also used by girls who want to return to their natural color after experimenting with light dyes.
• American. In essence, it looks like something between highlighting and hair coloring. Usually practiced on dark hair, but blondes can experiment with this method. For coloring, several tones are taken, 3-5. Quite often among them there is red, ginger or fiery.
• Veiling. For this method, you need to lighten thin, 3-millimeter strands exclusively in the upper zone. This will create the effect of a weightless, translucent veil thrown over the head.

For the American method, foil of different colors is used. Each color is assigned to a separate shade of dye applied to a particular strand.

Additionally, the following foil-based hair highlighting methods are thought to be viable:

• Balayage. The dye is applied to the curls, starting only from the middle. With a brush or sponge, imitate the swings of a broom, making wide horizontal strokes. For coloring, take 2-3 shades that are similar to each other.
• Bronzing. Stepping back from the root zone a few centimeters, the master distributes the paint of light and dark colors along the entire length of the hair. Palette – natural: coffee, honey, golden and other similar. The selected shades should differ from the original color of the curls by no more than 3 tones.
• Ombre. Classic variety – a combination of dark roots with light tips. The transition can be smooth or abrupt. There is also a reverse ombre, when not the edges of the strands are lightened, but the root zone.

Take note! There are methods whose main characteristic is coloring hair only in an open manner—that is, without foil. Shatush with a Venetian highlight, this is Californian.

In certain other situations, the choice to use foil paper or film depends on the hairstylist’s expertise, the client’s preferences, and convenience if the treatment is being done at home. Technologies that support balayage, ombre, bronzing, majimesh, and marble coloring, among other open and closed coloring techniques.

Pros and cons

The foil method adds the following benefits to the process of highlighting, in addition to the fact that it is less damaging to hair than a complete coloring and revitalizes the appearance:

• helps to achieve a clear separation of shades;
• It is used on curls of any length except very short;
• allows the coloring neatly, without staining the rest of the hair with paint;
• contributes to the faster manifestation of the pigment, since the strand inside the foil warms;
• makes it possible to effectively paint over gray hair;
• The cabin costs cheaper than the open air;
• Simplifies the highlighting process at home.

Nonetheless, there are drawbacks to technology:

• You can not control the change in hair color. We have to unfold the strip;
• The curls overheated, which does not affect their structure in the best way;
• The method is not used on short hair.

If you recently dyed your hair with basma or henna, or if it is severely damaged, stop highlighting.

What you will need

If you plan to dye your own strands, get the supplies and equipment ready as follows:

• a lightener with an oxidizer and/or paint of the desired shade (1–2 tones are possible);
• a container for mixing solutions. For each product – its own. It does not matter whether it is made of glass or porcelain, the main thing is that it is not made of metal. Otherwise, the chemical will react with this material. Traces of the dye will remain on the plastic;
• brushes, sponges or applicators. As many compositions as there are devices;
• foil – special hairdressing or food foil. The first is denser, stronger and is sold in rolls with an already verified width.
• gloves;
• a hairdressing cape, an old robe or a T-shirt to protect clothes from paint drops;
• combs – with rare teeth, for combing, and with frequent ones, for separating strands (for this purpose, it is convenient to take a tail comb);
• elastic bands, hairpins, hairdressers;
• greasy cream or petroleum jelly for treating the hairline, if you plan to dye strands from the roots;
• towel;
• shampoo;
• conditioner or mask.

Crucial! The matte side of the foil paper is where hair is always placed.

Home highlighting techniques

Choose a method, but don’t forget to test the paint you bought first. Change the composition if it turns out to be the cause of an allergic reaction. Apply a tiny bit of the product to your elbow, wrist, or behind your ears to make sure. This area shouldn’t have any spots, rash, redness, peeling, or itching.

There is a 20–30 minute minimum exposure period. However, it is best to check the skin’s condition a day later for a more accurate outcome.

On clean hair, any highlighting is applied. Nonetheless, hairdressers have differing views and recommendations on this matter. Some people think you should wash your hair the day before you dye it, while others advise taking care of personal hygiene two to three days beforehand. In this instance, there won’t be much time for sebum to build up on the hair, and the thin film that does form won’t get in the way and shield the curls from the negative effects of the chemical makeup.

Focus solely on the dry threads.

Make the foil strips ahead of time. Each one should have a width of roughly 10 centimeters and a length that is equal to twice the curl’s length plus 0.5–1 centimeter for the "pocket." There are other calculations that could be made, such as making the tapes four times wider than the strands and then adding a few centimeters for the side bends. If the hair is not very long, you can cut two identical-width pieces of foil paper for every strand of hair. After that, their length ought to correspond with the curls’ length (allowing for the bend at the bottom).

Make tiny "pockets" on those strips that you’re going to place beneath the strands. They’ll keep the paint from dripping onto your scalp and root zone, allowing you to keep a little indent from the roots. This can be accomplished by folding the foil strip at one end by up to one centimeter. To the matte side, bend the hair. Take foil in multiple colors if you intend to dye your hair in different shades at the same time. "Pockets" are unnecessary if you plan to dye your hair from the roots.

Short hair (less than 10 centimeters in length) is typically highlighted with a plastic cap. In this instance, dying your hair at home with foil is highly problematic; it is preferable to work with a professional.

Traditional method. Correction

For traditional, zonal, partial highlighting of medium- and long-hair, the classic technique is employed. All you have to do is choose which strands to dye and how much of them to dye, particularly if you want to do it yourself. The steps involved in the universal dyeing method are as follows:

1. Comb your hair thoroughly, divide it into 4-8 zones. Fix each with a hairpin.
2. Prepare the lightening composition according to the instructions.
3. Put on an old robe or cape. Protect your hands with gloves.
4. Start coloring from the back of the head. Undo one section of hair, use a comb with a ponytail to separate thin strands for highlighting.
5. Take one piece of foil paper. Apply a narrow strip of chemical composition to its matte part along the entire length, bypassing the “pocket”.
6. Place this piece of foil under the first strand so that the bend is under the roots.
7. Moving from the bottom up, color the curl. Make sure that the dye does not get on the “pocket”.
8. Fold the strip in half or put another piece of foil on top of the colored strand.
9. Tuck the sides and secure the structure with a clip.
10. Do the same with all the strands to be colored, first in the back of the head, then on the sides and on the crown. Fringe – last of all.
11. Wait the time recommended by the manufacturer of the chemical composition.
12. Do not remove all the foil at once, do it gradually. Carefully unfold each strip and rinse the strand on it so that the rest of the hair does not get colored. Follow the same sequence in which you did the highlighting.
13. Apply a conditioner or mask to your hair. Dry your hair naturally.

Take note! If you only need to highlight a few locks or a different area of your head, the process is easier. Even though the steps and algorithm are the same, coloring takes a lot less time in this scenario.

Follow these steps to touch up the regrown portion of your hair and re-highlight it on foil:

• Separate the strand that requires correction;
• Place foil under it, having previously folded the strip;
• Dye the regrown hair;
• Place another piece of foil on top;
• Tuck in the corners;
• Do the same with the rest of the strands;
• Leave for the required time, rinse off the composition and apply a conditioner or mask to your hair.

The same preparation is needed for highlighting as for correction.

In the ombre style

How to execute a basic ombre option correctly:

1. Make a criss-cross parting at the back of your head, which will divide your hair into 4 zones.
2. Prepare the dye, put on gloves and a cape.
3. Apply the bleach to the curls, from the middle to the ends.
4. After a maximum of 30 minutes, wash off the composition.
5. Wait until the hair becomes barely damp.
6. Divide them horizontally into 2 parts.
7. Place one thin strand from the lower zone on a strip of foil.
8. Dye the bleached part, moving in the direction of hair growth.
9. Put another piece of foil paper on top.
10. Dye the remaining curls on the back of your head in the same way.
11. Form 2 approximately equal parts from the upper zone.
12. Step back a couple of centimeters from the temples, dye all the strands.
13. Wait the time specified in the instructions for the chemical agent.
14. Wash your hair with shampoo, then apply a balm or mask.

Bronzing technique

If you choose to bronze at home, adhere to this formula:

1. Prepare the chemical compounds, put on a cape and gloves.
2. Wet your head, comb your hair well.
3. Make a straight parting, separating the top part.
4. Form several narrow strands. To do this, use a comb with a tail to make zigzag partings, laying the parts on 2 sides.
5. Fix the parts above and below the comb separately.
6. Place the first part on a piece of foil.
7. Dye it, stepping back a few centimeters from the root zone. Apply more composition to the ends than along the entire length of the hair.
8. Having reached the edges of the curls, tuck the foil.
9. Apply light and dark dye in turn.
10. After treating all the hair, leave it for the time specified in the instructions for the chemical composition.
11. Remove the foil and rinse your head until the water becomes clear.
12. Wash your hair with shampoo, then use a balm/mask.

Suggestions. Blondes have the option to darken their natural color before bronzing, but this is not required.

Balayage method

Detailed explanation of each step in the procedure:

1. Protect your clothes with an old robe, T-shirt or cape.
2. Thoroughly comb your hair, highlighting the upper zone and securing it with hairpins.
3. Form 3-4 cm thick strands at the bottom. Tie each with an elastic band at the level above which you do not plan to dye your hair.
4. Prepare the bleaching agent according to the instructions.
5. Distribute it over the ponytails, without going beyond the elastic bands.
6. Lightly massage your hair so that the dye lies evenly.
7. Wrap your hair with foil.
8. Do the same with the rest of your hair.
9. After 10-15 minutes, rinse off the bleaching composition with warm water.
10. Prepare the dye and apply it to the bleached part of your hair.
11. Wrap your hair with foil again.
12. After the allotted time, remove the strips, wash your hair with shampoo.
13. Finally, use a mask or balm.

On our website, you can learn more about balayage and the guidelines that govern its use.

American highlighting

This foil technique, which is more akin to coloring, is applied as follows:

1. Comb your hair.
2. Select the lower and middle zones on the back of your head, pick up the rest of your hair with hairpins.
3. Prepare the required number of compositions in different containers.
4. Put on a robe and gloves.
5. Dye the lower strands with the color you want to make dominant in your hairstyle. Wrap them with foil of one color.
6. Do the same with the lower curls on the sides.
7. Dye other strands on the same sides with different tones, alternating the compositions. Cover the finished curls with foil of other colors to know how the shades will combine in the finished version.
8. Move from the temples to the upper occipital part.
9. Then treat the hair in the temporal zone with dye, starting from the bottom.
10. Make sure that the shades are located symmetrically on both parts of the head.
11. Divide the remaining curls into 2 parts in the center.
12. Continue coloring along the lower parting, then along the upper, moving to the crown.
13. Place the foil at an angle away from your face.
14. Wait the required time and start washing off the dye. First of all, from the darker strands, and finally from the lightest ones, so that the highlighting is even and not smeared.

Veil highlighting

To correctly veil:

1. Divide your hair into 2 zones. You will only need the top one, so pin up the bottom one.
2. Decide on the strands you will be dyeing. Separate them using the zigzag or darning method (from a wide curl, thinner parts are formed and they are collected through one).
3. The strands should be no wider than 3-4 millimeters. For convenience, you can immediately place them on pieces of foil.
4. Put on a robe or waterproof cape and gloves.
5. Dilute the lightening composition.
6. Spread a little product along the entire length of the foil strip.
7. Put a strand formed from separate thin parts on it.
8. Dye it.
9. Place another piece of foil on top (can be replaced with polyethylene).
10. Fold the edges of the strip. If necessary, secure the curl with a hair clip.
11. Do the same with the rest of the hair. Try not to let too much time pass between processing the first and last strands.
12. Wait the time specified in the manufacturer"s instructions.
13. Remove the foil, rinse your hair with warm water.

Crucial point Curls can be tinted if desired. Put off the process for a few days if you are using dye instead of a mild tint balm for this. After it gets lighter, let your hair rest.

Foil highlighting comes in a variety of forms, most of which are difficult to accomplish at home. If you’re determined to color it yourself, ask someone else for assistance. Collaboration increases enjoyment, efficiency, and productivity.

Avoid labor-intensive techniques at first; instead, try highlighting individual strands. Examine pre-made designs, pictures showing the exact steps involved, and watch master classes taught by hairdressers on video. Only move on to more complicated method experiments once you are confident in your abilities.

It’s critical to understand hair highlighting:

• Do you need to wash your hair before highlighting;
• how to fix unsuccessful highlighting;
• Is it possible to do during pregnancy and during menstruation;
• How often can be done;
• Is it possible to do on dyed hair;
• how to care for hair after highlighting;
• why tint high hair.

Without visiting a salon, foil highlighting at home can be an imaginative and enjoyable way to change your appearance. With the correct equipment, a little perseverance, and close attention to detail, you can accomplish results that look professional on your own. You can tailor your style by having more control over the process by carefully following the steps.

Practice makes perfect, even though it might seem a little difficult at first. To prevent any unintended errors, it’s important to maintain organization and work with small sections of hair. To prevent overprocessing, make sure to monitor the development time as well.

Recall that caring for your hair after highlighting is crucial. Maintaining the health of your hair through regular conditioning and moisturizing treatments will keep it silky and shiny. By doing this, you can maintain the strength and health of your hair while continuing to enjoy your brand-new look for longer.

Without going to the salon, adding dimension to your hair at home is as easy as using foil highlights. For highlights that look professional, divide small sections of hair, apply color, and wrap them in foil. To ensure exact results, the foil keeps the hair neatly separated and aids in controlling the bleaching process. Anyone can create stunning highlights in the comfort of their own home with the correct supplies and methods.

Video on the topic

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