How Does Hair Highlighting Work?

Understanding the Purpose of Highlights

Highlights are intended to accentuate elements of the hair such as color, shape and style, as well as simultaneously complementing your natural skin tone. Highlights are placed strategically on or throughout certain, selected parts of the hair. They are used to draw attention to the elements that you want to be most noticeable to yourself and others. There are a variety of different highlighting techniques to accommodate almost any hair type, style and skin tone, so you can be sure to select the most flattering plan for your hair. When selecting the appropriate highlighting scheme for your hair, be sure to take your eye color into consideration as well in order to achieve optimal results and look your best.

It is important to keep in mind that highlights should work in your favor, as long as you understand the effects of their placement on the overall appearance of your hair. You should take into account, the length, body and shape of your hair in order to determine the areas to emphasize. Since this area is close to your face, do not forget to take your facial features into consideration with respect to your highlighting decisions. Be aware of the color of your hair before the highlighting it, so that the colors you select will blend perfectly with your natural tones. On the other hand, if you are looking for bold highlights, opt for thicker highlights with colors two or more shades different than the original hair.

Select the placement and style of hair highlights by looking at your hair's current cut and style. For example, if the hair typically lacks body or appears shapeless, highlights can be placed strategically to create the appearance of shape or volume where you part and style your hair. The option of using a low light in addition to your highlights can be beneficial if you are seeking a natural appearance after highlighting the hair. This technique uses a highlight, usually one or two shades lighter than your natural color in addition to a low light, typically one to two shades darker. While this choice is not for all hair types, it works particularly well on thinner hair to add the effect of body.