#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
- 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.
- Are full highlights damaging to my hair? Any chemical process can cause some damage. Proper technique, developer strength selection, and aftercare minimize the impact.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Will full highlights make my hair feel dry? Lightening processes can temporarily dry out the hair. Deep conditioning treatments will help combat this.
- 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.
- 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.