Trending Colour Techniques 101

    

Highlights

To add classic, sun-kissed streaks to virgin hair, choose a warm highlight bleach that will look natural when it lifts the sections of hair you select by up to 4 levels. Apply colour to the bottom section first, working from one side of your head to the other, spacing out the streaks so your end result has light pieces next to natural hair pieces. After application, time and rinse as the kit instructions direct.

Bronde

Not quite blonde or brown, but somewhere in between, it's the perfect way to brighten up your look while giving your natural brunette hair colour some edge. To create this fresh, radiant effect, apply the colour in layers. Choose the area you want the colour to begin, and apply near the root area of your hair starting with the bottom layer. After application, time and rinse as the kit instructions direct.

Ombre

This low-maintenance look is darkest at the roots and lightest from the mid-lengths to the tips with an even line separating the dark uncoloured hair and the solid lightened area. To achieve the dramatic gradation, select the part of your hair shaft you want your Ombre look to start--typically Ombre starts toward the middle of the hair strand so you can see the line between darker and lighter hair--and apply the colour in layers starting from bottom to top being mindful of maintaining an even line. After application, time and rinse as the kit instructions direct.

Sombre

Add subtle dimension to your locks with the “soft ombre” technique. Select a hair colour that’s one shade lighter than your base then apply it only from the mid-lengths to the tips of your hair to create a gradual fade effect. You may need more than one hair colour kit to achieve a professional-looking result. After application, time and rinse as the kit instructions direct.

Balayage

Create this naturally sun-kissed look by combining Ombre and Highlight application techniques. Start by sectioning your hair in layers. On the bottom layer only, decide where your Ombre will start and fully saturate hair from desired midlength line to tips. Then, add Highlight to the remaining layers, brushing through desired strands from the root area to the tips of your hair. For the best results, work from side to side of head and don't place the streaks too close together. After application, time and rinse as the kit instructions direct.