Alright, so I decided to try some caramel highlights on my blonde hair. I’ve been seeing it all over Instagram and thought, “Why not?” Here’s how it went down.
First things first, I grabbed my supplies. I picked up a caramel-colored highlighting kit from the drugstore. I made sure it was a shade or two darker than my base blonde. I also snagged a highlighting brush, some gloves (duh!), and a bowl to mix the stuff in.
Before diving in, I did a strand test. This is super important! You don’t want to end up with orange hair. I mixed a small amount of the developer and color, applied it to a hidden strand, and waited the recommended time. Luckily, it turned out a nice caramel color, so I was good to go.
Next, I brushed my hair and sectioned it off. I used clips to keep everything organized. I started with the sections closest to my face because I wanted those highlights to be the most noticeable.
Then came the fun part: applying the color. Using the highlighting brush, I carefully painted thin streaks of the caramel color onto my blonde hair. I tried to vary the thickness and placement of the highlights to make it look more natural. I didn’t want perfectly uniform stripes.
I continued section by section, working my way around my head. Honestly, it took longer than I thought! My arms started to get tired, but I pushed through. Consistency is key!
Once all the highlights were in, I set a timer for the recommended processing time. I kept checking the color every few minutes to make sure it wasn’t getting too dark or brassy.
When the timer went off, I hopped in the shower and rinsed my hair thoroughly. I used the shampoo and conditioner that came with the kit. They’re usually formulated to help maintain the color.
After drying and styling my hair, I checked out the final result. I was actually pretty happy with how it turned out! The caramel highlights added some warmth and dimension to my blonde hair. It’s a nice change without being too drastic.
Things I learned:
- Definitely do a strand test first!
- Take your time and be precise with the application.
- Don’t be afraid to mix up the highlight placement.
Overall, it was a fun little hair adventure. I’m not a professional, but I think I did a decent job. If you’re thinking about trying caramel highlights at home, go for it! Just be prepared to put in some time and effort. Good luck!
