Hair Highlights that You Can Do at Home

If you are looking for a great new look consider highlights. Hair coloring through highlights adds dimension and shine to the hair. The hair color highlights emphasis the cut and style of the hair to add new flair and a new look to the same cut. There are makeovers shown daily on TV on various shows. One of the major changes that are made are with hair color and adding depth and dimension to existing hair color. This can be done by adding highlights. Professional colorists can add two or three different shades of color to the hair using foil. Because I am looking to give you the simplest plan for great highlights I will show you how to add one new color for dimension then I will give you a finishing touch option where you can add a second set of light highlights that will accentuate the face. These steps are primarily for hair that does not already have existing hair color. As hair with hair color is not always easy to change...you may need a professional to assist you.

Step One: Purchase Necessary Items

Purchase a highlighting cap kit from a local beauty supply or offline. This kit will contain a plastic cap to place around your shoulders to protect your clothing (still choose to wear a tee shirt that is ready for the trash). It will also contain a cap...this cap will slid over your combed, dry hair like a baby bonnet. Next it will contain gloves and a pick to pull the hair through the already prepared holes in the cap. The gloves are to be worn only while applying the hair color not while pulling hair through the cap. The kit will also contain a application brush. If you will be adding two different colors to highlight your hair then purchase a second cap separately from the kit.

Select and purchase one or two permanent creme hair colors that will accentuate your existing hair color. Purchase a creme 20 volume peroxide. There will be swatches available at the beauty supply that you can hold up to your hair to get an idea of the finished product. Chose a slightly lighter color to add a second color around your face only if you are interested in doing two highlighted hair colors.

Step Two: Create the atmosphere of creativity and success

Choose a quiet night a home when no one else is around...or better yet invite one close friend over that can help you pull some of the hair through the cap. Create a workplace in a bathroom. Prepare it by removing any towels or rugs that could be stained. Place a plastic bag on the floor and set your products on the counter. Read the directions carefully concerning mixing the color and peroxide (wait to mix until your hair is pulled through the cap)

Step Three: Get Started

Brush your hair thoroughly. After brushing the hair comb the hair. After all tangles are out slide the cap tightly over the hair and tie it under your chin. Start at the bangs and work your way across the top of the head pulling even amounts of hair through each hole (choose every other hole if you want these highlights). After you have done the entire middle section of your head front to back (you should look like you have a Mohawk) then begin on the sides of your head start at the top working your way down to your ear and nap area behind your head. Using a large toothed comb gently comb the hair starting at the roots and working to the ends of the hair removing all tangles and keeping the cap in place.

Step Four: Mix and apply the color

After mixing the color begin applying the color using the application brush that came with the highlighting cap kit. Follow the same pattern starting with the crown and ending with the sides. Slide the brush from the roots to the ends. Smash the color through the ends of the hair. Place a plastic grocery bag on your hair and leave on for the amount of time in the instructions.

Step Five: Remove cap and wash out color

Leave the cap on. Place your head under the facet. Let the water rinse out mush of the color. Then apply shampoo and with the shampoo on the hair gently tug the cap off of the hair. Shampoo thoroughly and condition.

Step Six: Optional second color can be applied

If you desire to add additional second highlight color then blow dry hair and follow the same steps with a new clean cap. Wash the color out of the bowl that you used and wash the application brush. You are to pull much less hair through the cap this time. Focus on pulling hair around the face and evenly but sparingly on entire head. Use the second hair color purchased and follow exact same steps.