Hair Bleaching and Highlighting

Hair bleaching is best done professionally to ensure the best possible result and to keep hair in the best condition afterwards. Hair can be lightened using color instead of bleach if the hair has not been previously colored and this can also be used in combination with bleach for a multidimensional look which are very popular.

There are now many forms of highlighting the most recent popular form being various Hair Painting techniques these include:

Balayage (pronounced bal-ay-arge) which translated from the French word means sweep which is the movement made when painting the hair, producing a very natural lightened appearance with more color on the ends than at the root area.

• Ombre is the lightening of the bottom of the hair the amount of which may vary, but generally gives the grownout color look and is usually blonde.
• Sombre is similar to Ombre but produced using a darker palette of color.
• Color Melt is a technique of highlighting without the highlights looking as separate strands of color but shades melting into each other.
• Root Stretch is a technique used to blend out the root color that avoids a hard regrowth looking grow out line.
• Fiolyage uses foil instead of freehand painting to speed up the process of Balayage.
• Underground also uses the classic foil highlighting techniques with weaving, slicing and panel colors.

Highlighting will give the hair a look of movement and add interest to any look.

Highlights were traditionally thought of as blondes but today many highlights and lowlights are used together to create a personalized look for a client.

Highlights can be used to frame the face, as an accent sparingly or may be thicker for a funkier look. Highlighting can also be used to blend those first grey hairs and let color grow in without too obvious a regrowth.

Highlights can be a great way to try out color for the first time: just a few foils with some peek-a-boo highlights will allow you to vary the look by parting you hair in various ways, for "now you see it - now you don't" fun with your hair.

Highlights can be used in several shades on different areas of the head togive the hair a thicker look on less dense areas - the crown for instance or make the hair appear thinner if too thick with fine vertical slices and weaves.

Types of Highlights

There are many ways a hair artist can achieve the look you want. Here are some of the differences.

Traditional Highlighting

This involves the hair being taken in small sections and weaved out pieces which are painted with 1, 2, or 3 colors and put in foils. This usually gives a blended look and depending on color choices can be as subtle or dramatic as desired.

Slicing Hightlights/Panels

Slicing is when whole sections of hair are taken and placed in foil either as a combination with weaves or for more drama by themselves. This colors more hair at once. Slices may be done "back to back" which will create larger and dramatic panels. Sometimes hair is highlighted in slices and then color is applied over the top for a high fashion effect such as fuchsia or fire engine red.