My Adventure with Highlights on Black Hair
So, I finally took the plunge and got highlights in my super dark, almost black hair. I’d been thinking about it for ages, honestly. My hair just felt a bit flat, you know? Same old look day in, day out. I wanted something different, a bit of a change, but nothing too crazy.
First thing I did was spend way too much time scrolling through pictures online. Looking for ideas, trying to figure out what kind of highlights would even show up on black hair without looking weird or brassy. I saw some really nice subtle ones, like caramel or dark blonde streaks, and decided that was the vibe I was going for. Definitely didn’t want anything bright yellow.
I decided going to a salon was the only way. My friend tried doing her own highlights once and, well, let’s just say it didn’t end well. Not risking that! Found a local place with decent reviews, booked an appointment.
The Salon Process
Okay, the salon part. I went in, feeling a little nervous. Showed the stylist the pictures I saved. She seemed to get what I wanted, which was a relief. She talked about needing to lift the color first, basically using bleach. That part made me a bit anxious, thinking about damage, but she promised to be careful.
Here’s basically what went down:
- She sectioned off my hair like crazy. So many clips!
- Then came the bleach mixture. Yep, it had that strong chemical smell.
- She painted it onto thin strands, wrapping each one up in foil. This took a while, just sitting there while she worked through my hair.
- Waiting time! Sat there with a head full of foil, reading old magazines. Felt a bit silly. She checked it a couple of times to see how the color was lifting.
- Rinsing it out felt like it took forever. Then she put on a toner – she said this was key to getting the right shade and avoiding that orange look.
- Another rinse, a wash, and some conditioner. My scalp felt a bit tingly but not painful.
The Result and Aftermath
Then came the moment of truth – drying and styling. When she finally turned me towards the mirror… wow. It was definitely different! The highlights were a sort of warm brown, maybe a dark caramel? They weren’t super bright, which is what I wanted, but they definitely stood out against the black. My hair looked like it had more dimension.
Honestly, it took me a day or two to get used to it. Catching my reflection was a bit startling at first. My hair felt a tiny bit drier than usual where the highlights were, which I kind of expected because of the bleach.
I had to make a few changes to my routine. Bought a color-safe shampoo and conditioner, the stylist recommended a purple shampoo to use occasionally if it started looking brassy, but so far so good. I also started using a hair mask once a week just to give it some extra moisture.
Overall? I’m actually really happy I did it. It wasn’t a massive change, but it definitely updated my look and made me feel less bored with my hair. It’s noticeable but still feels like me. If you’ve got dark hair and are thinking about highlights, I’d say go for it, but definitely go to a professional you trust. It made all the difference.
