Full Highlights: What It Is, When To Use It, and Maintenance

#Full Highlights: A Complete Guide

Full highlights are a classic hair coloring technique that adds brightness and dimension. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about full highlights – from how they're done to what kind of upkeep is involved.

#What Are Full Highlights & How Do They Work?

Full highlights involve lightening strands throughout your entire head of hair, typically using foils or a similar wrapping method. The goal isn’t a uniform blonde but rather strategically placed lighter pieces that create visual interest and brightness.

Tools:

• Foils (or cap – less common now)
• Lightener powder/cream
• Developer (a chemical oxidizer; strength varies based on desired lift & hair health)
• Tint brush
• Gloves
• Mixing bowl
• Sectioning clips

Placement: The stylist will section your hair and carefully weave foils throughout, ensuring even distribution of highlights. Placement can be adjusted to create different effects – higher placement for more overall brightness, lower for a softer look.

Timing: Processing time depends on the desired level of lift (how much lighter you want to go) and the strength of the developer used. It usually ranges from 20-45 minutes under controlled salon conditions. Regular checks are made by your stylist during processing to prevent damage.

#What Can Full Highlights Achieve?

Full highlights aren't just about going blonde; they’re a versatile technique with several goals:

• Dimension: Adds depth and movement to flat, one-dimensional hair color.
• Root Blur: Strategically placed highlights near the roots can soften harsh lines and extend time between salon visits.
• Face Framing: Highlights around the face brighten your complexion and draw attention to your features.
• Subtle Coverage: While not primarily for covering gray, strategically positioned highlights can help blend grays into the overall color.

#Who Are Full Highlights For?

Full highlights aren't a one-size-fits-all solution. Here’s who typically looks and feels their best with this technique:

• Natural Color Level: Works well on levels 2 (dark brown) through level 7 (light golden blonde). Going lighter from darker bases requires more processing time, which increases the risk of damage.
• Undertone: Consider your skin's undertones! Warm undertones (yellow/golden) generally look great with warm-toned highlights (gold, caramel). Cool undertones (pink/blue) often complement cool-toned highlights (ash blonde, beige). A stylist can help determine this.
• Hair Type & Texture: Suitable for all hair types – straight, wavy, curly, and coily – but considerations vary:
  • Straight Hair: Shows off the brightness of highlights beautifully.
  • Wavy/Curly Hair: Highlights add definition and bounce. Careful placement is key to avoid a "stringy" look.
  • Coily Hair: Requires extra care due to hair’s fragility; lower developer strength & protein treatments are often needed.
• Hair Density: Works on both thin and thick hair, though the amount of product used will vary.
• Hair Length: Looks fantastic on all lengths – from bobs to long layers.
• Lifestyle: Ideal for those who want a noticeable but not drastic change, and are committed to regular maintenance (more on this later!).

#Full Highlights vs. Similar Techniques

It’s easy to get lost in hair terminology! Here's how full highlights differ from other popular coloring techniques:

• Balayage: Hand-painted highlights that create a softer, more blended look with less defined lines. Balayage is generally lower maintenance than full highlights.
• Foilyage: A hybrid technique combining foiling (used in traditional highlighting) and balayage painting to achieve dimension while maintaining softness.
• Root Smudge/Shadow Root: A technique applied after highlights or balayage where the roots are blended into the mid-lengths, creating a more gradual transition and extending time between salon visits. Full highlights can be paired with either of these techniques.
• Traditional Highlights (without foils): Uses a cap to pull hair through and apply lightener only to strands that remain on top. This often creates harsher lines than foil highlighting.

#Maintenance & Longevity

Full highlights require more upkeep than some other coloring methods:

• Salon Timing: Expect salon visits every 6-12 weeks, depending on how quickly your roots grow and the desired level of brightness.
• Toner/Gloss Refresh: Toners are applied to adjust the tone of the highlights (e.g., removing brassiness) and glosses help seal color and add shine. These are typically needed every 4-8 weeks.
• Grow-Out Behavior: As your roots grow, the contrast between your natural base color and the highlighted strands will become more noticeable. This is a key factor in determining how often you'll need salon visits.
• Budget/Time Planning: Full highlights are typically among the pricier hair coloring services (expect $150-$400+), along with requiring dedicated time for appointments (2-4 hours).

#At-Home Care Tips

Proper aftercare is vital to maintain your highlights' vibrancy and health:

• Wash Cadence: Reduce washing frequency. Aim for 2-3 times a week, or less if possible.
• Heat Protection: Always use a heat protectant spray before using any hot styling tools (blow dryers, straighteners, curling irons). Heat damage dulls highlights and weakens hair.
• Color-Safe Care: Use shampoos and conditioners specifically formulated for color-treated hair. These are gentler and help preserve your highlights’ vibrancy. Purple shampoo can help neutralize brassiness but should be used sparingly (once a week or less) to avoid ashy tones.
• Deep Conditioning: Incorporate deep conditioning treatments into your routine every few weeks to hydrate and strengthen hair, especially after lightening sessions.

#Pros & Cons of Full Highlights

Pros:

• Adds significant dimension and brightness.
• Can soften facial features.
• Versatile – adaptable to various styles and preferences.
• Provides a noticeable change without a drastic overall color shift.

Cons:

• Requires more frequent salon visits than some techniques (like balayage).
• Can be damaging if not done correctly or with proper aftercare.
• More expensive than some other coloring options.

#Salon Consultation Script Prompts:

Your stylist should ask you these questions to determine if full highlights are right for you:

• What is your current hair color and how long has it been since your last color treatment?
• Are there any areas of gray coverage you’d like to address?
• What level of brightness are you hoping to achieve (e.g., subtle, noticeable)?
• Do you prefer warm or cool tones in your highlights?
• How much time and money are you willing to invest in upkeep?
• What is your typical hair styling routine? How often do you use heat tools?
• Are there any previous color treatments or chemical processes on your hair (perms, relaxers)?

#FAQs About Full Highlights

1. Can I get full highlights if my hair is dark brown? Yes, but it will require more processing and may be more damaging. A strand test is highly recommended.
2. Are full highlights damaging to my hair? Any chemical process can cause some damage. Proper technique, developer strength selection, and aftercare minimize the impact.
3. How long do full highlights last? The color itself will fade over time (typically several weeks), but the regrowth line will become visible as your roots grow out.
4. Can I do full highlights myself at home? While possible, it’s risky without professional training and experience. Uneven application or damage is likely if you are inexperienced.
5. What's the difference between "full highlights" and “babylights”? Babylights are finer, more subtle highlights that mimic a child’s natural sun-kissed hair. Full highlights are generally thicker and bolder.
6. Will full highlights make my hair feel dry? Lightening processes can temporarily dry out the hair. Deep conditioning treatments will help combat this.
7. How do I prevent brassiness in my blonde highlights? Use a purple shampoo/conditioner occasionally, avoid excessive heat styling, and get regular toner applications at your salon.
8. Can full highlights be done on previously colored or bleached hair? It's possible but requires careful assessment of the hair’s condition by a professional to prevent further damage.