Highlights or single process?

BlondeAmbition

I have been getting blonde highlights on my light brown natural hair color for years. I do like the results when they are done well, but I don't like the cost of upkeep! I'm thinking of doing single process blonde hair next time but I've never done it before. I know the coloring is much cheaper, but how is the upkeep? Would I need to do single process every couple of months or roots only? Is the cost of doing roots less expensive?

Thanks for any advice!

12 years ago

General

11 replies

Latest reply was from BlondeAmbition

krishnidoux

Veteran

I advise against it. I did it once and the regrowth shows almost immediately, plus the result looks flat and hair yellows faster too.

I wonder if you aren't in need of some lowlights, actually, if you have been doing highlights for a long time. Lowlights will add depth and shine, making your blonder strands look even blonder. It helps in keeping the highlights last longer.

12 years ago

Claudia

Veteran

I agree with Krishnidoux's advice.

The cost in this case is worth it, unfortunately.

12 years ago

cinnamon fern

Veteran

I agree with Krishni too. I switched from single-process to highlights recently, and am super happy with it. I used to get it done every six weeks, and really should have had it done more often - the roots bothered me for a couple weeks before I got it done every time. Now I get highlights once every three months, so it ends up being cheaper.

My hairdresser charge the same for roots as for the initial single-process color. This made sense to me once I saw it done - you're paying for their time and skill, not the amount of dye - and just doing the roots takes as long or longer than doing a whole head of hair.

12 years ago

BlondeAmbition

Active Member

Thanks, I do have lowlights as well. It's just that this process of getting the highlights and maintaining them is so costly, I'm wondering if there's a better way to be blond.

12 years ago

MNsara

Veteran

I just began switching it up with my highlights: one time is a partial foil with highlights and medium lights, the next time is just 'spotlights' which are less than half the price.

I haven't done it long enough to form an opinion, but it's just those darn roots along my part that make me feel drab and that's where the spotlights go.

Just a thought. . .

12 years ago

krishnidoux

Veteran

A better way to be blond might be to have partial highlights done instead of full ones. Or have short hair! Ever since I've cut mine to a pixie, partial highlights are enough.

12 years ago

BlondeAmbition

Active Member

I wish I had the guts to go pixie! Maybe one day I will but for now I love my long hair. I agree, nothing replicates the look of beautifully done highlights. The only problem living in NYC is that they are super expensive! It's hard to shell out $300 every 6 months.

12 years ago

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I have naturally dark blond hair and have been having a mix of highlights and low lights for quite some time, however, at my last visit I decided my hair needed a break. Root growth was not really an issue so I had a blond semi permanent tint applied. I am very happy with the results, my hair looks glossy whilst my existing highlights have been refreshed. Perhaps this is another option available to you.

12 years ago

cinnamon fern

Veteran

BA, that's a big hair bill I admit - but I think you'll find it's even more with single process blonde! The roots show SO FAST.

12 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

I agree with krishnidoux. You will see roots almost immediately, and your hair will look flat. Also, the damage to it can be substantial. Think lots of split ends, and untameable frizz.

I don't know what your hair color is, but have you considered highlights closer in color to that? The regrowth won't show as much so you won't need it done so often.

I stopped highlighting my hair about 6 months before we started trying for our first baby. I had them do a color wash to make the highlights match my natural color. Honestly, not sure I will ever go back to highlighting. The upkeep is killer, both in cost and time!

12 years ago

BlondeAmbition

Active Member

I've never heard of a blonde semi permanent tint! The thought of roots doesn't scare me, my hair is a very light brown, like a mousy timid blonde and I wouldn't be going platinum blonde. I totally agree my hair needs a break too, on my quest to get a more affordable highlights done I went to an affordable hairstylist who must have used only peroxide to lighten my hair and now I am paying the unaffordable price of having unmanageably hair that is stripped! No amount of conditioner can fix that.

12 years ago

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