Hair Highlighting Tips

 

Are you thinking about highlighting your hair but desperately trying to find sound, hair highlighting tips? If so, we can help. If you were interested in brightening or adding color to your hair but hesitant in going too far, then having your hair highlighted is a viable option. Some people choose strong highlights that consist of bold stripes or chunks while other people prefer softer, delicate strokes. For instance, a brown-haired-person might choose auburn highlighting for a rich, sophisticated look while bright red or blond highlights would produce a trendier appearance.
If you think that highlighting is something you might be interested in, the first step would be to locate a qualified colorist that can offer you suggestions based on what you want, along with your hair color. Do not be afraid to ask questions and if you are unsure of a certain process, then ask him or her to explain it to you in detail. To give you an idea of some of the more popular methods, consider the following hair highlighting tips:
Color Chunking
Having been in existence for about 15 years, this process consists of contrasting blocks of color being added to the hair in place of thin streaks. The result is actually beautiful and very natural looking.
Highlighting
With this option, light is infused into current hair color, producing wonderful sheen.
Lowlighting
With this process, natural, dark tones are enriched. In this case, the colorist would probably apply both highlights and lowlights at the same time. The result would be the light reflection of the highlights and then the darker hues would be intensified with the lowlights.
Highlighting hair is actually an art that takes years of training. Each technique is studied and practiced to perfection. However, with so many advanced products on the market, it is now possible to give yourself a quality, highlighting job at home. Just remember when choosing your highlights, you want them to complement your natural hair color, rather than create a distraction.
Another hair highlighting tip is that you never want to go more than three shades lighter than the primary color of your hair. To ensure you get the same professional results at home, as you would in a salon, the following tips are recommended:

• Two days prior to highlighting your hair, wash it with a clarifying shampoo
• Even if tempted, never wash your hair the day you add the highlights
• When choosing the highlights from the store, take a minute to look at the expiration date on the box. Just as with food, hair color does expire. In addition, the color will need to be used immediately once opened and mixed.
• Instead of using the brushes that come with the highlighting kit, buy separate one-half and one-quarter inch acrylic brushes, the same type used by artists. These brushes can be found at art supply or hobby stores, providing you with better control, which equates to better looking hair.
• Although the highlighting kits come with gloves, many times, these are thin and do not fit properly. Therefore, purchase a good pair of latex gloves for ultimate protection.
• When applying the highlighting product, start at the back of your head, working your way forward. This will keep the chemicals from smearing again giving you better results.
• When you apply the highlights, you only need to work on the top layers of the hair. Leaving the underside of the hair untouched will create depth, making your hair look natural.

After having your hair highlighted once, you will see for yourself how great it looks. You may want to start with a subtle color until you are confident enough in trying something a bit bolder. Keep in mind that highlighting should not look blotchy or messy but sleek and natural.
In other words, you want the highlights to appear as though the sun has lightly and naturally, changed sections of the hair. For this reason, when the highlighting is applied, you want to use small batches of strands. If you have light brown hair, then the warm blonde highlights would make it appear as though you had been spending time in the sun.
Finally, another hair highlighting tip is that just as you would with full color, you need to wait anywhere from 24 to 48 hours after receiving highlights to shampoo your hair, which will help the color last longer. Additionally, you will need to avoid salt or chlorinated water, overuse of hot styling tools, and daily shampooing, which can all cause the color to fade.

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Hair Cutting Tips

 

Having hair cut is an excellent way to change an appearance, make someone feel different or younger, or simply keep up with the latest trends. However, by following the best hair cutting tips, you can be assured that you do not experience a bad haircut. Whether having a hairstylist cut your hair or doing it at home, you want to obviously, look your best.
The first hair cutting tip is that you need to work with a qualified stylist. The key is to work with someone that will not only lend their expertise, but also listen to your likes, dislikes, and concerns. One mistake that some stylists make is they try to sell a client on a particular style or cut, when all along, the client is clearly not impressed. If you go to a stylist and find yourself in this situation, remind yourself that you are not tied down to the chair and if he or she will not listen to you, then you can leave.
To ensure you get a good cut from a professional hairstylist every time, consider the following hair cutting tips.

• Always do your homework first, taking time to flip through magazines, or better yet, look at virtual hairstyling websites so you can take a photograph with you to the stylist. Not only will this help the individual have a much clearer picture of what you want, but also by printing off styles, you can take a few days to study them and narrow your choices down. You might even have a photograph of a friend that has the ideal cut.
  
  
• Ask friends and family that have hair you like where they go. Another option would be when visiting a salon for the first time, find the stylist whose hair you like and ask for the name of the person that does theirs. Typically, stylists in one salon will cut each other’s hair. This way, you can see the person’s work, which will give you much more confidence.
  
  
• One of the most important hair cutting tips to know is your hair type. You would be surprised just how many people have no idea much about their hair at all. Is your hair thin, thick, straight, and wavy, course, fine, and so on? This is important since not all hairstyles look good with all types of hair. If you are unsure, then stop by a salon and ask.
  
  
• Again, in addition to having good ideas of your own, you want to work with a professional that can make good recommendations based on your face shape, hair type, age, lifestyle, and color.
  
  
• Never feel pressured by any hairstylist. Whether you are visiting your local salon where haircuts are $10 or a high-end salon where you will pay $100, it does not matter. Keep in mind that you are the customer and this is your hair. Therefore, do not be uncomfortable sticking to your guns if you have your heart set on something specific.
  
  
• Ask a ton of questions. This is another important hair cutting tip in too many people overlook. You have the right to ask why the stylist suggests something to you. For example, if he or she tells you that you should wear wispy bangs or that you would look best with short hair, you should ask why. Perhaps he or she feels this would make your particular shape of face look even better, or it might be that there is no answer. If you are not given a viable reason for the suggestion, then again, stick with what you want.
  
  
• Take notes of what the stylists does. This way, if you love the haircut but end up going to another stylist for some reason, you will know the type of products used on your hair, the cutting style, and any special techniques used.
  
  
• Yet another hair cutting tip is to compromise with the stylist. Knowing what you want and standing up for that is fine but if it means missing an important recommendation from the stylist, then you could miss getting a great cut.
  
  
• One of the best ways to ensure you get a good haircut, every time, is to offer a good tip. Of course, if your hair were a mess, then you would not be required to tip 15% to 20%. However, if you like your hair and are pleased with the overall experience, when you tip, you can be sure that stylist will remember you the next time. Typically, that means he or she will go out of their way to make you a happy customer!

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