Nuances of highlighting curly hair. Photo, step-by-step instructions, useful tips

Curly hair adds a distinctive and lovely dimension when highlighted, but it needs special maintenance. For the best results, it’s crucial to understand how to work with the texture of curly hair because it responds to coloring differently than straight hair.

Knowing the ins and outs of the process will help you achieve a bolder look or soft, sun-kissed highlights to accentuate your curls. There are a few important steps to take, from selecting the best technique to making sure the curls stay healthy.

We’ll cover all you need to know about highlighting curly hair in this article. You’ll discover helpful hints, a detailed tutorial, and picture inspiration to help you achieve the ideal look while maintaining the vibrancy and definition of your curls.

Is it possible to highlight wavy strands?

The primary issue with curly hair is that all of the hairdresser’s hard work goes unnoticed because the highlighting gets lost in the curls. However, these issues can be avoided with the appropriate coloring technique and application.

Wavy hair can be highlighted; the key is to select the appropriate technique and equipment. Owners of curls will be able to experiment with the strands’ shades thanks to this solution. Curls that are loosely highlighted will appear vivid and produce an odd tonal combination.

Features of naturally curly curls

When you zoom in on the cut of curly hair, you can see that each rod has an oval, elongated shape. The curls get smaller the more this oval is stretched.

Although curly hair appears thicker and denser in appearance, it is actually weaker than straight hair. The truth is that their structure’s scales are loosely fitted, and an examination with a microscope reveals that they are unkempt.

Weak follicles produce less sebum, which is why the scales in the keratin rod protrude and cause natural curls. Such hair becomes wavy and bends. Although it may seem appealing, loosely structured hair is more brittle, dry, and prone to tangling than straight hair.

There are different types of curly hair in nature that vary in the degree of elasticity and curl size:

• Steep – in the form of spirals.
• Volumetric curls.
• Waves.

Tiny curls need to be dyed extremely carefully. A badly executed technique and breaking the dyeing guidelines will further weaken the hair. The fragility of curls with large, weak curls is reduced because the scales fit together more tightly.

Nuances in the case of chemical

The permanent severely weakens, dries out, and violates the structure of the hair. Split ends are a common side effect following a perm. Dyeing the hair after a perm is not advised because it is fragile and feeble. The interval between procedures should be at least 4 weeks. The curls will partially heal and adjust during this time. Furthermore, the dye applied right after the perm won’t hold up well, and the dyeing outcome might not be up to par.

After a perm, it is recommended to walk with loose hair more often. Hairpins, ponytails, and other hairstyles involving elastic bands may cause the curls to become weaker.

Extra caution and attention are needed when highlighting curly hair in order to protect the natural texture and prevent damage. The procedure is different for curly hair because curls can complicate color placement and because the porosity of the hair can influence how dye is absorbed. Even outcomes can be achieved by using a methodical approach in conjunction with foil highlighting or balayage techniques. Professional guidance, aftercare advice, and photos can help the process go more smoothly and leave curls looking vibrant and defined.

Types of highlighting

Curly hair works well with the highlighting techniques listed below:

Classic method

Entails dying each strand in a checkerboard pattern. Consequently, the appearance of sun-bleached hair is obtained. This method brings out the structure and volume of curly hair to perfection.

Creating highlights or frost effect

An intriguing kind of highlighting that calls for the hairdresser’s focus and accuracy. In order to prevent the dye from penetrating deeply into the hair, the stylist runs the color along the curls. Consequently, only the curls’ convex portions are colored. The highlights appear authentic and natural.

Ombre

Those with wavy hair without sharp curls can use this dying technique. It entails a gradual change from a darker shade at the roots to a lighter shade at the ends. The hairdo appears harmonious and the color transition is seamless, making the distinctions between the colors invisible.

Shatush

Thin curls work well with this technique. It calls for the close-in application of two light paint shades at the same time. Such dyed strands appear vivid, expressive, and luscious.

Choosing a method depending on the length

• For long-haired beauties, classic highlighting, coloring with highlights and shatush are suitable. Wide bleached strands look perfect on thick long hair.
• Partial coloring is also suitable for curly hair of medium length. The curls will no longer look like a single canvas. New accents will appear in the image, which will make the waviness of the curls an advantage of the hairstyle. Highlighting with tinting of bleached strands two tones lighter is ideal for medium length hair, which will complement the natural hair color. With this method of coloring, the hair gets additional thickness and volume.
• For owners of short haircuts, sombre or ombre highlighting techniques are suitable, which involve coloring the ends. You can also choose partial coloring with thin strands.

Technique

There are two coloring techniques you can use to highlight curly hair:

• With a cap – for medium length.
• With foil – for long and short haircuts.

Using a cap

If you do not own a highlighting cap, you can use a shower cap or thick bag, puncture holes for the curls, and fasten it firmly on your head. As separating the strands will tangle long curls, this method works best on medium-length hair.

How to carry it out:

1. Comb your hair and put on the cap.
2. Using a hairdressing hook, pull the strands through the holes. To get rare lightened strands, you need to pull the curls through every third hole, for thick coloring – use every hole.
3. Comb the pulled out strands, apply the dye.
4. After 25 minutes, wash your hair without removing the cap.

With foil

Order of performance:

1. Cut the foil 10 centimeters wide and twice as long as the length of the strands.
2. Prepare the dye.
3. Comb your hair, divide into sections.
4. Leave one part of the hair, and pick up the rest with an elastic band so that the curls do not interfere.
5. Separate a lock of hair with the thin end of a comb, divide it into small strands.
6. Take foil, bring it to the root zone, lay the selected strands on it.
7. Dye the hair with a brush and wrap it, securing it with a clip.
8. Skip the next separated layer. Dyeing is done through one strand.
9. Repeat the procedure for the rest of the hair.
10. Leave the dye on the curls for the time specified in the instructions – about 25-30 minutes.
11. Remove the foil, wash your hair thoroughly with warm water and shampoo.

Make sure to use a nourishing balm or restorative mask after washing.

How to avoid mistakes when dyeing?

• When dyeing curly strands, remember that they have a porous structure, so the time the dye is applied to them is reduced compared to straight hair.
• If the curly hair is naughty, the strands are difficult to separate, then you can slightly bury them with water from a spray gun, but do not wet too much.
• The composition used for curly locks should be gentle. Do not choose an oxidizer more than 6%. Otherwise, the hair will dry out and become lifeless.

Before and after photos

The image below illustrates the difference between short hair before and after highlighting:

And for longer strands, here’s a before and after picture:

Aftercare tips

Following the highlighting, the following maintenance steps are suggested:

• Use restorative masks at least once a week.
• Protect your hair from ultraviolet radiation.
• Try not to wash your hair with chlorinated water.
• After washing, do not comb your curls immediately, let them dry a little.
• Use conditioner every time you wash.
• Spray your hair with a protective spray before blow-drying.
• Straightening irons are contraindicated, use them only in extreme cases.
• Choose wooden or plastic combs with rare teeth for combing.

Due to the nearly invisible nature of growing roots, the time between hair highlighting treatments is two to three months.

Maintaining the natural beauty and texture of curly hair while highlighting it calls for extra care and attention. In order to guarantee that the highlights complement your appearance and blend in seamlessly, it is important to consider your curl pattern.

You will get the best results if you carefully follow the step-by-step instructions and use the appropriate products. This guarantees that your curls will stay defined, vibrant, and healthy all throughout the process.

Remember to give your curls extra attention after highlighting. Regular moisture care and deep conditioning treatments will keep your hair looking its best and guard against damage.

Video on the topic

We haven"t blown airtouch for a long time) we lighten curly hair

Live coloring using the classic hair highlighting technique.

Highlighting on curly hair. At the end, styling "curly method"

Curly hair