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words and images: elleuk.com | hair.becomegorgeous.com | elle.com

Halo highlights



Best for: Mid-length bobs and shoulder length styles with layers

This is highlighting, but not in the traditional sense. This technique uses colour to emphasise the shape of your cut, add texture and flattering hues around the face; because colour is only placed around the front (usually in a T-shaped section on the top of the hair) to lift your complexion and create a flattering glow around the face. It is also quicker and more purse friendly than other methods. Working on the top surface layers, colour is smudged through the root and mid lengths of the chosen sections, while more tint can be applied to the ends to give a more dramatic grown-out effect.

Balayage



Best for: Mid-length to long hair with layers or texture

This technique is French and the name comes from the root word “to balay” which means to sweep, which is exactly how the colour is applied in a freehand sweeping motion with a brush. The result is a soft level of lightening through the ends for a low-maintenance look.

Interlacing



Best for: Long and shoulder length wavy hair

The effect is of glitter sprinkled on the surface of the hair and it’s achieved by the colourist plaiting your hair (different numbers and sizes of plait will affect the outcome) then painting, freehand, colour on the surface of the plaits. The dye is always lighter than your hair, which gives a glistening effect and depth to your hair cut.

Ribbon



Best for: Mid-length to Long hair and for anyone wary of colour

The look is created by taking 2cm ribbon sections of hair from beneath your parting and highlighting them to a shade that compliments your natural colour. These highlights appear as flashes of colour throughout your hair giving the illusion of multi-dimensional texture and movement.

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Floating Lights

Best for: Any length hair, except for short crops



Colour is graduated through the hair, very slowly building up in intensity down the length of the hair shaft. The looks suits fine or thick hair; for thinner hair it helps to create a fuller look.

Tissue Highlights



Best for: Any length (except super short) and any hair colour

Originally developed for discerning Parisian women, using special tissues instead of foils, this application technique allows for the delicate blending of colour between highlights for a more soft focused impression. This technique suits all hair colours, although dark blondes will get the best results.