How to Start Hair Highlights

Highlights are a great way to boost any hair style. Short or longer hair styles can really be accentuated with a little well-placed color. Knowing where to start the process is the first step toward creating your new "do."

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Pack a punch with your natural part. If you always part your hair the same way every day, start your highlights where you part your hair. The highlights will frame your face using your natural part as the guide.

2. Try a zig-zag part for an ever-changing style. Let the zig-zag part, usually done at the top center of your head, offset the highlights in a controlled pattern. Use each triangular piece as a spotlight of color. This pattern works very well if you are using more than one color to give a multi-tonal look.

3. Keep the color from bleeding by using some cotton or foil. Take the dyed piece of hair and place a piece of cotton or foil under the color to prevent bleeding to other parts of your hair that are not receiving color. If you are using two or more colors, this is important. You don't want the two colors to mix during the chemical process.

4. Start with the underside of your hair for all over highlights. Get even highlights with less fuss and start with the underside of your hair. Clip back or up the top layers that are awaiting color. Take down small sections at a time to color for more control and better results.