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If you're giving yourself blonde highlights at home, you need more than a mirror: A trip to the beauty supply store is in order, and your shopping list is ready. You may already have some of these things, and some of the extras might come in your kit. Check your bathroom cabinet before heading for the store. Once in the store with kit in hand, read the package before going on a shopping spree.
Highlighting Kit
Of course, the most important product you need is a highlighting kit. Choose one that isn't more than two shades beyond your natural tone. For anything lighter you may need a professional touch. Highlighting kits come in different styles, as well, so choose the one that matches your level of expertise. For example, a brush-on cream is one of the easier methods of highlighting, as the chemicals don't run and you simply brush them on with a comb attachment. If you're an old pro, though, you may try a liquid, which you brush on after inserting foil into your hair.
Clips
If you don't usually put your hair up, get ready to: It's key to achieving even, natural-looking highlights. Throughout the highlighting process, you must alternate between putting your hair up and pulling it back down. This helps you achieve a natural, layered look. Bobby pins are suitable, but claw-style clips may be easier for you to manipulate with one hand while you paint on your highlights with the other.
Foil and Gloves
Some highlighting kits require you to put foil strips in your hair throughout the process. You place a lock of hair over a strip of foil, then paint on the highlights. The highlights hold the foil in place, and the foil prevents the chemicals from getting onto other parts of your hair. If you use a highlighting kit that utilizes this technique, consider buying hairdresser's foil at the store. While you're there, invest in a pack of protective gloves. The chemicals in blonde highlights can irritate your skin, but a pair of gloves gives you all the protection you need.
Special Shampoo
Before you leave the beauty supply store, make sure you pick up supplies for after the highlighting — not just the highlighting supplies. The most important tool is a set of shampoo and conditioner that is formulated for color-treated hair. If your hair is dry, make sure the shampoo and conditioner are loaded with moisturizers, as the chemicals in the blonde highlights can dry out and damage your hair even more.
