We often hear from our clients that they are confused by the various terms used to describe hair highlighting. In this article we will attempt to eliminate that confusion.
Let's start with the fundamentals. There are four types of highlights: foil highlights, hair painting (aka balayage), chunking and frosting.
Foil Highlights are the ones you're probably most familiar with. Foils are used to separate hair that is to be lightened from hair that will remain its natural color. Lowlights are, as expected, the opposite of highlights. Instead of lifting the color of the hair a few shades, stylists will use the same foil method to take strategically placed strands a few shades darker than the natural base color to achieve a softer, darker color. This technique is especially good for adding dimension and depth.
Hand-painted Balayage - If you want more natural-looking blends, balayage is the way to go. It has softer, less noticeable regrowth lines than traditional highlights. Balayage - which means 'to sweep' or 'sweeping' in French - is a freehand (i.e., hand painted) technique, and your stylist will not use foil or meche to create the highlights. Both Balayage and it's companion Ombre are very popular again this year.
Frosting is the process of free-hand lightening the tips of the hair, and is generally recommended for women with short hair.
Chunking is a style of highlights which are larger and thicker than a traditional highlights. Chunky highlights are typically applied in a wider variety of bold natural or artificial colors, and are used to create more contrast, rather than subtle textures. The use of artificial colors, whether bold or subtle, can create captivating and alluring styles. We call this Creative Colors.
When you have decided on the type of highlights you want, you still have to answer the question: How much? This is where the terms "full" and "partial" come into play. Partial highlights are usually placed around the face for a brightening or "framing" effect, while full highlighting gets you just that -- your full head highlighted. If your hair is dark, you will probably want a full highlighting. If it hasn't been too long since your last highlighting service, or if your hair isn't that dark, you could choose partial highlighting.
If you are new to highlights, a good recommendation would be to start with partial. If you love the results you can move to full highlights at your next appointment.
Why not start today? Call or text (919) 271-5102.