Despite the fact that I've never highlighted my hair, I've considered it more times than I'd like to admit to any hairdresser who has ever brushed through myheadband wigs and asked, "Is that red your natural color?" Is that red your natural color? It certainly is, and I've grown to appreciate it. However, there are times when I consider brightening it with a teeny-tiny strawberry blonde highlight for a subtle change that, in reality, would only be noticeable by myself.
It is always the same line of reasoning that is used to resolve the internal dilemma: If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Nonetheless, the back and forth has helped me form a more firm opinion on the benefits of a good blonde highlight, which is a subtle brightening of your natural color that hits the baby hairs around your face for an effect that appears to be God- (or UV-) given.
The colorist Sienree Du recommends a warm and rich blonde with a hint of golden or wheat in it for the overall look. There are two advantages to doing so:First and foremost, warm tones reflect light and appear shiny, whereas an icy or cool-toned blonde can appear dull or dry. When you wear a warmer shade, the warmth in your complexion is accentuated, which is especially useful as the weather turns cooler and darker in the coming months.
A great option, according to L. A.-based colorist Bianca Hillier, who I believe has nailed the dark-to-believably-blonde lift to perfection, is balayage. She recommends painting ribbons of blonde through thekinky curly lace front wigs , which creates a high-contrast color that is seamless and will allow for a nice grow-out to occur. Hillier believes that a chunkier highlight is currently in style. To describe the color, I like to think of it as "ribbons" of blonde, rather than "little spaghetti pops of light."These are ribbons that are illuminating the hairstyle. Strong contrast is created by blending thicker ribbons, but there is nothing that appears unreal about it.
