Highlights?

Simky906

For background, I have virgin hair. I've never had it highlighted, colored, anything. At my last appointment my hairstylist suggested highlights and I impulsively agreed- my appointment is next week. I still think I want to go for it, but I'm a little nervous (silly, I know, but I'm really fussy about my hair). My thought is, even if I hate it I still have four months until the wedding, so that's plenty of time to get it fixed. 

Anyone care to share their experiences with highlighting or coloring? Any particular likes or dislikes? And how do you maintain your hair?

HisGirlFriday13

I've had my hair highlighted several times. I used to do It regularly, but it got to be expensive to maintain. Also, I'm lazy and anything that requires that much regular upkeep is going to fall by the wayside in my life.

If you're four months out from your wedding, you'll probably need another one or two rounds so they're fresh for the wedding.

And you're right, if you don't like it, you can always re-do it. If you're fussy about your hair, ask for subtle low-lights and high-lights.

Simky906

Thanks @HisGirlFriday13, I do think I want a more subtle look. One of my big concerns is going too light and looking washed out (I'm a very pale brunette). 

Do you remember how often you had to get them redone? I can be pretty lazy as well, so that's something I want to keep in mind.

SmileDamnit

Oh, girl…my hair virginity was lost a looooooong time ago! I started going white at about 25 (I blame my mother, who was totally white by 28). I'm now 36 and if I had the money, I'd likely color &/or highlight every 4 weeks. Since I haven't yet found that money tree, I've adapted. I really prefer to be a brunette (natural color a light brown), but I've gradually gone blonder in an effort to be fiscally responsible (read: can go longer b/w coloring). We've started adding in highlights and my stylist thinks that we'll eventually be able to stop doing the all over color and go only to highlights every 8 or so weeks. 

If you trust your stylist, then I say go for it. Unlike a botched cut, a color is pretty easy to "fix" & or touch-up (assuming you don't bleach it or do something drastic). 

HisGirlFriday13

@Simky906 -- depending on how close the highlights are to your natural colour, and how fast your hair grows, it's usually 6 to 8 weeks.

Simky906

@Niccirf Lol, there is no bleaching in my future- I an waaay too pale to ever attempt that. I'm a brunette, on the lighter side, but with very pale skin. (A big thank you to my Scots-Irish ancestry for that one!)

 I really do like my current stylist- I went through about six others before I found her and I'm committed. I think it's time to pull the trigger and lose the hair virginity!

erinlin25

I was the same way-- never dyed or highlighted my hair unless you count "sun in" or highlight enhancer conditioners. Before the wedding my hairstylist suggested I add some color and highlights. I wanted it took natural and she promised it would and just brighten up my color. We did a test run about 3 month before the wedding and I loved it. It really did look natural. I am a natural blonde and it drove me crazy that as I was getting older my hair was growing in darker and then fading to its natural color So I am glad I listened to her and did the color and highlights. We touched it up again the week prior to the wedding, and now I just do it every 6 months.

SmileDamnit

@Niccirf Lol, there is no bleaching in my future- I an waaay too pale to ever attempt that. I'm a brunette, on the lighter side, but with very pale skin. (A big thank you to my Scots-Irish ancestry for that one!)

 I really do like my current stylist- I went through about six others before I found her and I'm committed. I think it's time to pull the trigger and lose the hair virginity!

Then take the plunge! A good stylist is key - if you like & trust her then I've no doubt she'll do you proud. I look forward to seeing before & after pics

theartistformerlyknownas

Go for it! The smaller they are, the more naturally they'll grow in.

Simky906

@niccirf I promise to share the pics! 

@lolo883 Thanks for the words or encouragement. I'm getting really excited now!

JennyColada

Me and my mother share the same point of view on hair:

Do what you want, you can always dye it or it'll grow back.

SapphireCounselor

I resisted coloring, highlighting, etc. for a long time too. Several years ago my stylist finally talked me into very basic highlights and I loved it! I have been highlighting ever since. It is one of the few pampery and girly things I do and has become my self care. Honestly I don't remember what my hair looked like before them most of the time. They have become that much of a staple.

Funny story...my DH and I worked in the same office and were dating the time I got my first highlights. I told him nothing about the fact that I was doing anything different with my hair and left to go to the salon over my lunch break. I got back and he just kind of stares for a minute in disbelief. Then I get a text message (because we were really private about our relationship at work back then), "Hair equals amazing." I blushed so hard.

ETA: I have always been blessed with stylists who were amazing. I totally trusted them and that made all the difference.

melbelleup

I have colored and highlighted and low lighted my hair since I was in 6th grade, currently 25. I get highlights and low lights done at least once a year, if not twice. It's up to you how maintained you want to keep them. I always did them for the summer and for the winter. I haven't gotten them done now in a year and 6 months almost because I knew I wanted fresh ones for my wedding, so I'm getting them done the Wednesday before.

If you end up not liking them, she will be able to color your hair back to  normal. I've had blondes, browns and reds in my hair with no issues.