You want your hair done, but are not sure what to schedule? Highlights, or no highlights? Cover my gray or leave some? These are questions we get all the time at the salon! Below, I’ll guide you through some questions to ask yourself & what to expect for outcome and maintenance. Also, check out this video where I break it all down!
The first thing to think about is – what’s my goal?
Ask yourself, do I want my hair lighter, darker, more dimensional? Or maybe I want the same color with more richness and shine.
Gray Hair
If you have gray hair, you need to decide if you mind seeing some gray or would you prefer to have it completely covered?
Lighter Hair
If you want lighter hair, your options are:
- Permanent Color – which could completely cover gray and change all of your natural hair color. Expect to need regular 6-8 week touch-up appointments because you will have noticeable regrowth.
- Highlights – which will make some parts of your hair lighter & leave your natural hair color in-between. So depending on how much gray you have, you may still see some. Expect to need 6-12 week touch-up appointments depending on how fast your hair grows.
- Color with Highlights – which would cover all gray and give you a lighter color with lots of dimension. Expect to need 6-8 week touch-up appointments.
Darker Hair
If you would like darker hair your options are:
- Permanent Hair Color – which would cover gray. Depending on your natural hair color and how much gray, expect to need regular 6-8 week touch up appointments.
- Non-permanent Hair Color – which fades in 6 weeks and could blend gray but you may still see it. No need for regular appointments! Just come in when you want a refresh.
- Lowlights – which add dimension and depth to the color you currently have. They will blend gray. Expect to need a refresh 6-8-12 weeks depending on your natural hair color and gray.
If you want the same lightness/darkness (also known as “level”) and just want to change the tone, you could get a non-permanent color (also referred to as a gloss, toner, or demi-permanent) as this will only blend gray.
An example of this is going from a neutral brunette to a rich golden brunette. Expect to need a refresh after 6 weeks.
Highlights
How do I know what type of highlights to get?
- Foil Highlights – (or saran or paper) that part just depends on your hairstylist’s preferred modality. Foil highlights are a preferred option if you like a lot of highlights at the root.
Note that in most cases you’ll have a line of demarkation as your hair grows out so expect to need regular 8 week (give or take) touch-ups. Good for all types of hair.
- Balayage – highlights that are painted freehand directly on the hair. They create a sun-kissed color that grows out beautifully. I prefer this method if you’re not getting color, just highlights. When done correctly, balayage has a beautiful grow out and no line of demarcation. (good for all types except very thin hair)
- Foilayage – combines the natural look of balayage with the speed and lift of foils. This is a good option if you like your highlights very light, especially if you’re getting highlights over top of hair color or have thin hair. When done right, foilayage will have a soft grow out with no harsh lines.
To Gloss or not to Gloss?
GLOSS! All of my highlighting services include the cost of a gloss for many reasons.
- It restores the ph level of the hair.
- Closes the cuticle.
- Seals in moisture offering long term condition and shine.
Glosses come in many different colors because hair lifts uneven and in many cases, not so pretty. This means you can cancel out any unwanted tones (like yellow) and add your targeted color like champagne blonde! 🙋🏼♀️ Sign me up, right!?
Ok, so you just learned a lot but you’re still unsure of what to do & don’t trust yourself to make the right choice… or maybe making hair decisions just isn’t your thing and you’re like, Megan, just do what you think!
NO PROBLEM!! I TOTALLY GOT YOU!
It’s my job to help guide you! Just reach out l’d be happy to help. To see more of my work, click here.
With all my love and support,
Megan, XOXO