How to make strands on your hair?

Common mistakes

I can always tell the difference between expertly done highlighting and homemade highlighting. And all because when doing it on their own, most women make the same mistakes:

• Uneven distance from roots. The clarifier is usually applied 1-2 cm from the roots. With more modern techniques - ombre and shatush, this distance can be much greater. But it should always remain the same, otherwise the hair appears to grow unevenly.
• Wrong strand width. Bleached strands more than 5 mm wide look rough. And if they are too thin, and even thickly applied, then the effect of an uneven blonde is obtained. Moreover, the entire strand is never lightened completely - it is always “darned” with the sharp end of the comb.
• Uneven lightening. Most often it happens when the composition has been applied for too long. The chemical reaction from the moment the paint is diluted lasts up to 40 minutes. If you work slowly, then the strands that were dyed last simply do not have time to discolor to the desired degree.
• Yellowness after highlighting. There are many reasons why it appears: poor-quality paint, violation of dyeing technology, the original color is too dark, the reaction of the brightener with the previously applied pigment.
• Severely burned hair. Occurs if the percentage of oxidizing agent is chosen incorrectly or the composition remains on the hair longer than the time prescribed in the instructions. Lifeless tow on the head is formed if highlighting is done earlier than 2 weeks after perm or dyeing with ammonia paints.

But I’ll still give you a few secrets on how to do your own highlighting at home correctly. And it all starts with proper hair preparation.

How to do coloring at home?

Comb

For girls who want to achieve smooth color transitions and give their hair the missing volume, highlighting with a comb is suitable . This technique is worth trying for those who are just experimenting with lightening and want to avoid mistakes that are difficult to correct.

1. 
   Lightening powder or paint is mixed with an oxidizing agent in a ratio of 1 to 2. The exact recipe is offered by the manufacturer, it can be found in the instructions.

2. The shoulders are protected with a hairdresser's cape or towel.
3. The hair is carefully combed and divided into 4 zones; for convenience, it can be secured with hairdresser clips.
4. The strands are released one by one and combed with a comb, the teeth of which have been coated with a lightening compound. Movements go from roots to ends.
5. The exposure time depends on the desired effect. Usually the drug is left for 30-40 minutes; for stronger lightening it may take 1 hour.
6. The strands are thoroughly washed with running water and mild shampoo, and a nourishing balm or conditioner is applied to them.
7. Hair is dried in the open air. It is better not to comb wet curls to avoid tearing and breaking.

To process the strands at the back of the head, you may need the help of an assistant.

Below are tips on how to highlight using a comb:

You can see several ways to beautifully highlight at home here.

With elastic bands

For those who want to get the effect of emphatically dark roots with light strands, highlighting with elastic bands is suitable. It is done very simply; the presence of an assistant is not necessary .

1. 
   First, a mixture of paint and oxidizing agent is prepared. The composition should not be too liquid, otherwise it will flow and unsightly spots will appear on the strands.

2. Clean, hair is carefully combed, medium-width strands are separated and tied at the roots with elastic bands to form a ponytail.
3. The paint is distributed over the free part of the tail; it is applied with a brush or brush, making smooth movements from bottom to top. The product should lie smoothly, without drips or bald spots.
4. The composition is aged from 20 to 40 minutes.
5. The drug is washed off under running water, then the tails are untied and the strands are washed again.
6. Apply balm or conditioner to damp hair, leave for several minutes and then rinse off.
7. It is better to dry the strands in the open air without using a hair dryer.

Shatush with fleece

The shatush technique involves applying a bleaching compound to the backcomb.

This guarantees a smooth transition of shades.

The backcombing method is not suitable for thin, tangled, porous hair. When you try to comb the strands, they will be pulled out in whole bunches.

1. Clean hair is combed and the roots are backcombed using a fine-toothed comb.
2. Pre-mixed paint is distributed with a brush or brush.
3. After 20-40 minutes, the hair is thoroughly combed and only then washed with shampoo. If you do the opposite, the curls will be impossible to untangle.
4. An obligatory step is a generous portion of restorative balm.

Preparing for coloring

In order not to spoil your curls during highlighting, it is advisable not to wash your hair 1-2 days before the procedure. But it is important that during these days you do not apply hairspray or other styling products that may interact with the oxidizing agent. The natural layer of sebum will create a thin protective film that protects the hair shaft from severe damage.

Allergy test

It is very important that the scalp is intact. With the correct dyeing technique, the lightening composition should not get on it and the hair root, but at home anything can happen. And if there are wounds, redness, etc. on the skin, then the oxidizing agent can cause severe irritation. If you are prone to allergic reactions and are wearing makeup for the first time, it is better to do a test first.

On very dark hair, highlights look unnatural and easily take on a yellow tint. The problem can be partially solved by first using a wash that will slightly lighten the entire head.

A wash is also needed when the hair has recently been dyed any dark or very bright color (red, eggplant, dark chocolate). It is safer for hair to apply it 2-3 days before highlighting.

When purchasing a clarifier, make sure that it is a high-quality product with a current expiration date in undamaged packaging.

It is important to choose the right percentage of oxidizing agent so as not to burn your hair. For light and blond hair, 6% is enough, from dark blond to chestnut – 9%, and dark brown-haired women and brunettes will have to use a 12% concentration, which greatly increases the risk of hair damage.

Required Attributes

Before starting the procedure, make sure you have everything you need on hand. When the first stroke has already been made, you need to work quickly and carefully. You cannot be distracted, let alone waste time looking for missing accessories.

What you might need:

• drape to protect clothing;
• rubber gloves to protect hands;
• plastic bowl for paint;
• brush for applying the composition;
• hair clips;
• foil for wrapping strands;
• comb with a long tail;
• brightening composition;
• restorative balm;
• 1-2 terry towels.

Important! Some types of highlighting may require additional accessories. In addition, you need to worry in advance about the place where you will highlight, because persistent dyes can easily stain everything around, and then it’s not easy to clean. Therefore, the floor should be covered with oilcloth or newspaper; it is better to sit on a chair without a back, which also needs to be covered with something. Well, remove all objects (curtains, tablecloths, etc.) away.

Various highlighting techniques

I will tell you in detail how to do hair highlighting at home using the example of the classical technique. More modern techniques differ from it only in some subtleties. Therefore, anyone who masters this technology can easily perform more modern variations of this coloring: Californian, balayage, shatush.

Classic

Classic highlighting is popularly called highlighting on foil. It is very important to cut it in advance into strips approximately 3 cm wide and a couple of centimeters longer than the length of the strands to be dyed.

Next step by step you need to do the following:

• cover your neck and shoulders with a cape, put on protective gloves;
• Comb your hair thoroughly, and be sure to comb short hair at the roots;
• separate the bangs and the occipital area with partings;
• secure excess hair with clips;
• dilute the brightening composition according to the instructions;
• Take a strand of the required width at the top of your head;
• place foil under the strand and darn with the tip of a comb;
• remove excess hairs and apply a lightening compound to the remaining ones;
• wrap the dyed strand in foil and secure it on your head;
• paint the occipital area in this way, then the sides and lastly the bangs;
• keep the paint for the required time, periodically checking the degree of lightening;
• remove the foil, thoroughly rinse off the remaining composition under running water;
• apply a restoring balm, after 3-5 minutes wash your hair again, dry and style.

Depending on the length and thickness of the hair, this procedure takes up to an hour and a half in the salon. When highlighting at home, you must also try to fit within this time, otherwise you can seriously burn your hair.

Simplified

A simplified option, which is great for short haircuts and hair up to 15 cm long (for example, a classic bob), is highlighting on a cap. For this you will need a cap with holes (disposable from cellophane or reusable silicone) and a hair hook or comb with a metal knitting needle at the end. They can be bought in specialized stores.

1. This highlighting is done in an open way, so no foil is needed. The cap is placed on previously combed hair and thin strands are pulled out through the holes with a knitting needle or crochet. Their frequency and thickness can be adjusted at will.

   

2. When the entire head is prepared, dilute the bleach and apply it to the strands sticking out from under the cap. After waiting the required time, the composition is washed off without removing the cap.
3. Then remove the cap, apply a restoring balm, and after 3-5 minutes wash the hair again. That's it, the procedure is finished, you can dry and style your hair.

   

A cap for short hair is also convenient for coloring. Not only a lightening compound can be applied to elongated strands, but also permanent dyes of selected shades, thus creating interesting transitions. With the right combination of colors, you can get a brilliant result, no worse than an expensive salon one.

Special

The essence of California highlighting is to create the effect of sun-bleached hair (you can read more about California highlighting here). In this case, only light lightening of randomly taken strands is performed.

Remember that California highlights look beautiful only on light hair - up to a medium brown shade. On dark hair, instead of the effect of natural burnout, it will create the impression of faded lifeless hair, and if you overexpose the dye, you can get bright yellow spots on your head.

With some skills, you can try to do more complex highlighting techniques at home yourself - ombre and shatush, which allow you to partially lighten dark hair using a gentle method and create fashionable, stylish looks. They are suitable for straight or wavy shoulder length hair. Read about ombre here, and about shatush here.

Options for evening and formal styling

In addition to the original waist-length braids, there are other looks for a festive event. Pay attention to popular options.

READ ALSO: The perfect hairstyle for all occasions or how to make a messy bun: ideas for creating a trendy hairstyle with photos and step-by-step descriptions

Luxurious curls

Curls of different sizes emphasize femininity and the beauty of hair. When choosing the perfect additional strands with invisible clips, no one will guess that the real length is three times shorter than your luxurious curls.

Leave your curls loose, gather them to one side, and make a low side ponytail. Lush, delicate styling is a great look for a bride. Wedding hairstyles with tresses are at the peak of popularity.

Perfect tail

The stages of creating fashionable styling are described above. For celebrations, false strands can be straight or curled. Focus on your taste, general image, quality of hair.

Are your locks a little frizzy? Make a fluffy top and an equally soft, voluminous tail. The original decor will complement the image.

Greek hairstyle

Exquisite, delicate styling suits many representatives of the fair sex. With a fashionable hairstyle you will be irresistible. A feminine look, a light dress in the Greek style, beautifully styled hair, and delicate makeup will certainly attract attention to you.

Transforming into a Greek goddess is easy:

• attach new curls to the main body of hair using standard technology;
• put a beautiful headband with an elastic band on your head;
• Use a comb to separate strips of curls, tuck them one by one under the accessory;
• Take the first strands from the sides, gradually move towards the middle;
• create a sufficiently voluminous roller, straighten it, lightly spray with varnish;
• attach decor - delicate flowers, hairpins with pearls or rhinestones at the end;
• leave a few curls in the temple area: this will make the image more feminine and sweet.

Tips for highlighting at home

For home highlighting, it is important what length your hair is. If they are short or medium, then it will be easy for you to create blonde or colored strands yourself. But highlighting long hair is difficult to do at home - you can simply ruin your hairstyle.

You must also consider your original hair color. I'll give you some tips.

The original color matters

Taking into account the length of the hair

There are features of working with long and short hair. They also need to be taken into account.

Bug fixes and maintenance

If, despite all your efforts, you still make mistakes and are not too happy with the results you got at home, you have two options - seek professional help or try to correct them yourself. The first is preferable, but sometimes it is simply not necessary.

Light yellowness can be quickly removed by tinting or using “silver shampoos”.

Professional or homemade whitening masks, which can be used 1-2 times a week, have a good effect. A tinting spray will help not only hide color defects, but also improve the condition of your hair.

It’s worse when the distance from the root is unequal. You can't do this without outside help. For example, in such cases I have to tint the necessary areas and make sure that the degree of lightening along the entire length of the strand matches. So in this case, I recommend going to the salon.

Do not try to completely cover up unsuccessful highlights yourself. Lightened hair has a looser structure than undyed hair, and after 2-3 washes it will appear again. A good hairdresser will offer alternative methods, for example, coloring or going blonde.

What will you need for work?

As alternative techniques, you can try highlighting with a comb or elastic bands, as well as lightening with or without backcombing. To carry out the procedure at home you will need:

• 
  protective negligee or towel;

• mixing container;
• plastic gloves;
• lightening powder or paint;
• oxidizer;
• flat brush with long synthetic fibers;
• plastic comb with a handle and long, sparse teeth;
• fine comb;
• hair bands.

At home, it is convenient to use not a paint brush, but an ordinary toothbrush . It allows you to carefully distribute the composition, coloring each hair.

It is advisable to equip the workplace with 2 mirrors that allow you to evaluate the view from the back of the head. Good lighting must be provided. If the hair is very thick, it is worth hiring an assistant who will help apply the composition to the occipital and crown area.

See how this can be done using an ordinary toothbrush:

Care and prevention

Even if you manage not to burn your hair, provide it with more thorough care after highlighting: give up straightening irons and curling irons, pamper yourself with masks more often, protect from the harmful effects of the sun and wind. By the way, you can use the masks I have tested for damaged hair, there are recipes here.

Severely damaged hair can be provided with professional help: shielding, biolamination or Botox. But even after this, you must continue to regularly care for your strands - this is only an emergency measure that allows you to instantly restore lost shine and elasticity.

Have you tried highlighting at home? You can share your experience or ask questions in the comments. Let's discuss it together.