Highlights: The Must-Have Technique for AW19

Balayage may still be the most popular colour service in the salon, but AW19 is all about highlights. The must-have technique in the 90s and noughties is having a resurgence, as clients look for something low maintenance, natural and luxurious.

Highlights are perfect for clients looking for a more multi-tonal, blended root effect. While balayage is applied freehand, highlights are traditionally isolated with foils or meche. There are many different techniques that are great at achieving lightness through the hair. People aren’t afraid to amp up their maintenance at home. I think many clients are starting to get bored of a softer regrowth and are missing lightness on top. - Brooks & Brooks stylist, Marlon Hawkins

Marlon’s three tips for creating brilliant highlights:

1. Don’t be afraid to put just a few highlights in – sometimes less is more.
2. Keep it nice and consistent.
3. Bespoke toning always works on a diagonal for seamless results.

The five highlight techniques every salon should know:

• Foil highlights: Foil highlights are the traditional highlighting technique, using foils to separate each coloured section. These give a fresher, brighter look to the overall finish.
• Balayage highlights: Balayage literally means to paint. This freehand technique is usually applied through the ends rather than the roots for a grown-out, casual finish. It’s ideal for clients looking for a natural colour, with no regrowth. It’s incredibly low maintenance which makes it a favourite with clients.
• Babylights: Soft, super-fine highlights placed round the face to add a sun-kissed effect. They add a multi-dimensional effect and are perfect for more mature clients.
• Ribbon highlights: These thin sections of contrasting colour are placed around the roots for added depth. Perfect for fine hair and curls.
• Lowlights: Lowlights add depth to one-shade colour, adding multi-dimensional tones. Use a few shades darker than the hair for a full finish.