At-home hair highlighting?

July 21, 2005 12:31 PM

Any good at-home hair highlighting experiences?

I usually get my hair highlighted at the salon, but can no longer afford that due to buying a condo this week (!!). I am really terrified of trying to do it myself - if it were just one solid color I'd be fine - and am wondering if anyone has actually ever found an at-home product that looks natural and not garish?

posted by tristeza to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (9 answers total)

Depends on your hair color, and comfort with generally coloring your hair. . .I've used Loreal Coloure Experte (however they spell it) in the red box, you color all over, then highlight. It takes a little practice, but I like the product. . .I'm brown/red with blond-ish highlights for summer, though - so if this is a blonde on blonde question you may want to just stalk the haircolor isle of the the drugstore. . .?
posted by rainbaby at 1:05 PM on July 21, 2005

I also use L'Oreal Couleur Experte. It's pretty easy, but I've highlighted my hair before. I've gotten good non-orange color. Also it's not as damaging as other highlighters. My hair stylist actually asked what I use and said frankly she was surprised how soft/un-damaged my hair was.
posted by lobakgo at 2:48 PM on July 21, 2005

I've used Herbal Essence's higlights a few times since I could no longer afford to go to the salon. They turned out just fine for me, but I always got someone else (my mom) to actually put them in, since I can't see the back of my head.
posted by geeky at 3:07 PM on July 21, 2005

I've had success with L'Oreal Hi-Light Styliste if you're looking for something that's just highlights instead of all-over color plus highlights. Mine's very natural and hasn't turned brassy.
posted by Bella Sebastian at 3:43 PM on July 21, 2005

I've highlighted friends' hair in the past using store-bought kits.

The best results were achieved if a proper highlighting cap was used, preferably the thicker type, with a fair bit of time taken to draw the hair through the holes.

If the prep (the cap work) isn't rushed, then you'll get a good result. Get a friend to help you, and don't open the wine until after the final rinse.

I've tried the L'Oreal Couleur Experte kit on myself, but my hair is dark brown and the highlights were too auburn for my taste, but the actual kit itself worked fine, I just didn't like the colour on me.
posted by essexjan at 4:59 PM on July 21, 2005

My hair was very blonde growing up, but it's gotten a little dishwater since I've gotten older, so I get highlights. On the few occasions I've tried to do it myself, I've really regretted it! I can tell you one definite danger-zone... be VERY sure not to press the bleach back through the holes in the cap. Sometimes this occurs when you're trying to be sure to coast every strand. What can happen is an unfortunate leopard effect made from dotting parts of the hair underneath the cap. Be careful, and preferably get someone to help, especially in the back. The color works fine for me, but then I'm a natural blonde to begin with, so it's nearly impossible for anything to turn me brassy.
posted by abbyladybug at 6:42 PM on July 21, 2005

Another vote for L'Oreal Couleur Experte. I've also used the cap method, but I prefer the kit as you can paint the color on wherever you want it. It's also quicker, and the results are at least as good. It comes in lots of different colors, too.
posted by hazyjane at 11:49 PM on July 21, 2005

I've highlighted my mum's hair for years but she usually buys Boot's own brand (UK chemist). I would definitely get a friend to pull your hair out in the hair cap because otherwise you would probably miss whole chunks and it's fiddly enough for me to do, let alone doing it on yourself. If you are highlighting the whole head, make sure the paste goes on the back first and work towards the front of the head - FAST. If you take alot of time adding the paste you will end up with very blonde hair where you started and not blond enough where you finished!
posted by floanna at 2:59 AM on July 22, 2005

Response by poster: thanks all! Great ideas, think I'll try the L'Oreal stuff - caps scare me. :)
posted by tristeza at 8:23 AM on July 22, 2005