Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
If you think it's time for a change and you want to add some bright, bold red highlights to your blonde hair, the only thing stopping you may be your shortage of funds. Women often want a new, fun hairstyle, and even adding just a few highlights can make the difference you're looking for. You don't have to blow the last of your cash at the salon, though. You can highlight your own hair with the right color and proper techniques.
1.
Brush through your hair to get rid of any knots. Even though highlights do look better when placed randomly, you still want to work on smooth, tangle-free hair. You want streaks, not spots, so give that mane a good brushing before starting.
2.
Put on a pair of latex gloves -- they should be in your coloring kit, and they will keep you from looking like you have blood-stained hands for days after coloring your hair -- and prepare your hair color. You can use either a home highlighting kit in a red shade, or just any regular red hair dye. You can opt for permanent hair color, or a semi-permanent color if you want it to come out after a few weeks.
3.
Look into a mirror so you have a good angle and can see what you're doing. Yes, randomness is what you're going for and you don't want perfection here, but that doesn't mean you should highlight your hair blind. Start by coloring a piece of hair at the back of your head about 1/2-inch wide. It's best to hold one hand underneath the hair as you squeeze dye from the tube. Put the tube down and use both of your hands to rub the dye into the hair.
4.
Continue coloring pieces of hair around the crown area on your head, working from the back forward so you don't mess up all that hard work with pieces you've already colored. Look your hair over and see what you think. If you want to add in any more pieces, now is the time. Almost done!
5.
Now it's just a waiting game. Leave the dye on for the recommended amount of time -- always refer to those handy dandy directions printed on the box if you're not sure -- and then rinse your hair out. If there is a conditioner included in your hair coloring kit you can use that; if not just use your regular conditioner after rinsing. This helps give your hair back any moisture it lost from the dye. Once your hair is dried and styled you'll really be able to see the results of your hard work. Not only did you get the change you wanted, but your pockets aren't empty. What a delight!
Things You'll Need
1.Hair brush
3.Red highlighting kit or red hair dye
5.Conditioner
2.Latex gloves
4.Mirror
Tips & Tricks
For a bolder look, opt for chunkier rather than thinner highlights. Color sections 1-inch to 1 1/2-inches wide, rather than just 1/2 inch.
The paint-on hair coloring kits are more commonly used and are easier for you newbie hair dyers out there, but if you are using one with a cap, just put that lovely looking cap on, pull the strands of hair out of the holes and then color the hair. For longer hair, when coloring each strand, you basically want to color the section on your hand, fold a bit of the dry hair over your hand and color that, and continue in this fun folding method until all the hair is dyed. Accordion dye, anyone?
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