How to Apply Highlight and Lowlight Foils to Hair

Colored hair can look bland and unnatural if it is all one shade. Many women find a beautiful answer in weaving highlights and lowlights through their hair, creating depth and adding interest. You can purchase all the necessary supplies at public beauty supply stores. Read on to learn how to apply highlight and lowlight foils to hair.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Aluminum foil hair wraps
• Lowlight hair color (a deep shade that complements your hair)
• Powdered hair bleach
• 20-weight chemical developer
• 40-weight chemical developer
• Weaving comb with fine pick on one end
• Large hair clips
• Hair color applicator brush

1. Start with unwashed hair. The chemicals will strip excess oils from your hair so the best time to put in highlights and lowlights is before you shampoo. Brush your hair and part in the middle. You will proceed in small sections on each side of your head parallel to your part.

2. Mix your deep color with 20-weight developer as directed on the color bottle. Usually the mixture is one part color to one part developer but check to make sure. You needn't use the entire bottle, 1 oz. will do.

3. Use the fine pick on the end of the comb and starting at the top of your head, weave the pick in and out, lifting only tiny strands of hair as you go. For a natural look, you will have very few lowlights at the top of your head and more towards the bottom.

4. Place a foil wrap underneath the strands of hair and carefully brush on your prepared lowlight color, making sure you only get it on the fine hairs that rest on the foil wrap.

5. Fold the wrap in half by bringing the bottom portion up to the top and then fold it up again, creating a small foil strip that sits on top your head. It will stay in place because the hairs inside are holding it.

6. Pick up another horizontal section of hair, about 1-inch deep and hold it while using your pick to weave a few tiny hairs just as you did the first time. Proceed with this method all the way down the sides of your hair and then weave the back.

7. Work quickly and leave the developer on for the recommended time. You may unfold a foil wrap and check to see if your hair is the right shade.

8. Wash and dry your hair before proceeding in the same manner with the highlights. Mix a small amount of powdered bleach with the 40-weight developer in a small bowl and start your weave in the same manner at the top of your head.

9. Leave the highlights on for the recommended time, checking occasionally as you wait.

Tips & Warnings

• If your hair lifts to orange when using the highlights, allow it to process a little longer. Some hair with natural orange undertones will lift to orange before it lifts to blonde.
• Imagine how sun-kissed hair looks and apply your highlights and lowlights in a similar manner with more highlights around your face and on the top of your head and more lowlights toward the bottom and underneath side.
• Use caution when putting highlights in your hair. Pick up only small strands of hair for a natural look and larger sections for a "chunky" look.
• Do not leave highlights or lowlights on your hair past the recommended time unless you are an experienced hairdresser. Hair breakage can occur.
• Consider making an appointment with a licensed hairdresser if you don't understand the process of applying highlights and lowlights.