♦ Baby highlights are very delicate and are created by using a very fine colour-weaving technique. They’re subtle and the good thing is that they can be applied to any hair colour and is a great way to lighten hair without too much commitment. The colour looks seamless where there is not too much of contrast.

♦ The face-framing highlight technique is where most of the hair is one uniform tone, with highlights of a single colour framing the face. 

♦ Balayage highlight involves a free-hand technique for a dark to light natural gradient effect.  

♦ The ombre highlight technique is where the darker colour is on the top near the roots and the lighter or contrasting colour blends in gradually towards the end of the hair. 

♦ Underlight technique is all about the strategic placement of colour — now you see it, now you don’t. It is hidden in the inside layer of the hair and is only visible when the hair is worn half up. It’s low on maintenance and there are no problems with regrowth. 

♦ Dip-dyed highlight technique is a style that literally looks like the ends of the hair have been dipped in colour. The dipped portion of colour can be of any length, from just the tips of the hair to halfway up the hair. Any colour combination can be used from subtle to fierce — you can partner black with denim blue or millennium pink or violet with magenta.  

KEEP YOUR HIGHLIGHTS IN TOP SHAPE 

♦ Use UV protection products and leave-in conditioners and serum to protect coloured hair against damage.

♦ The most vital thing you can do at home is care for your hair and make sure to use top quality shampoo and conditioner that are formulated for coloured hair  and are sulphate-free so that they don’t wash your brand-new hair colour down the drain. 

♦ Wear a hat.

♦ Always wear a swimming cap while taking a dip in chlorinated water so that blonde highlights don’t go green.

♦ Purple shampoos and conditioners neutralise brassy tones caused by colour fade. 

MAKE THEM SHINE

♦ Serum and shine sprays are the easiest ways to create gloss.

♦ Toning shampoos are great to enhance your colour and give subtle boost to blonde hair.

♦ Get a semi-permanent glossing done — it’s an in-salon treatment that really works. Some products have a transparent gloss effect (a bit like lip gloss) that will last up to six to eight weeks. They contain no colour pigment and will not change the colour of your hair. 

♦ Deep-condition regularly — it will make your hair incredibly glossy and give it a mirror-like shine. 

♦ Use cool water and not hot water when shampooing your hair as hot water strips colour, leading to fading and dull hair. 

Bridgette Jones is a beauty pro who believes perfection isn’t necessarily beautiful, but individuality almost always is. You can reach Bridgette on Facebook @Bridgette Jones. Got a beauty question for Bridgette? Mail it to t2onsunday@abp.in