How to Get Natural Looking Highlights With a Highlighting Cap

Update your hairstyle by adding highlights.

If you want to spice up your hair color without dyeing all of it, consider adding highlights. Not only do highlights add the illusion of texture to your strands, they also add a natural shine. While you can always visit a salon to have highlights added to your locks, they are an expensive alternative for a similar result. When deciding on a color, look to the manufacturer for recommendations. The exterior of the highlighting box will help you determine what your strands will look like with the added color.

Things You'll Need

• Highlighting kit
• Old clothing
• Comb
• Plastic cling wrap
• Timer

Instructions

1. Visit a beauty supply store to purchase an at-home highlighting kit. If this is your first at-home highlighting experience, consult a beauty expert to determine which color of highlights is best for your current hair color.

2. Change into old clothing before you highlight your hair. Depending on the highlight color, you may stain clothing if it drips onto clothes.

3. Comb through your hair to remove any tangles. If your hair has styling product, such as hairspray or gel, make sure you comb thoroughly to remove as much product as possible.

4. Open the kit and read the directions. The kit will come with dye, toner, conditioner, cap, hook, application brush and gloves. Pull the cap over your head and secure under your neck. The cap should fit snug on your head without any space between the cap and the hair.

5. Look at the cap and determine where you want to place the highlights. The cap will come with a predetermined pattern, depending on where you want to place color. These areas may include the crown, front hairline, sides or all over color. While you can place the highlights wherever you want, the cap serves as guide.

6. Insert the hook into one of the holes in the area you want to highlight. The hook will glide easily into the hole but you will need to press gently to break through the inner lining. The inner lining is a protective shield on the underside of each hole. The hair dye will not seep through any hole that is not punctured. Scoop the hook only one time, once you puncture the inner lining. Pull the small section of hair out of the hole. Repeat the process of puncturing the hole and pulling hair through until you retrieve all the hair you want to highlight.

7. Put on the gloves and mix the dye according to the directions. Apply the dye to the strands of hair you pulled out from the cap. The dye can sweep directly over the cap because it will not seep through the holes that have not been punctured. Make sure to coat each section of hair thoroughly with the hair dye.

8. Wrap your head in plastic cling wrap or a plastic shower cap. Leave the cap on your head to retain the heat and help set the color. Set the timer according to the manufacturer's directions, typically 20 minutes.

9. Remove the plastic wrap and pull the cap straight up. Rinse the highlights from your hair. Apply the conditioning treatment included in the kit. Rinse the conditioning treatment, dry and style hair as normal.

Tips & Warnings

• Highlights will hold best to hair that has not been washed within 24 hours.

• Do a strand test to ensure the highlighter is the color you desire.

References

• Cosmopolitan: Home Highlighting
• Marie Claire: Step-by-Step for Flawless At-Home Hair Color
• Become Gorgeous: How to Apply Highlights and Lowlights at Home