Curly hair has a unique and vibrant personality that can be further enhanced with the right hair coloring techniques. Highlighting permed hair can add depth and dimension, enhancing the natural texture and bounce of your curls. However, this process requires special care and expertise to achieve the desired results without causing damage.
In this article, we will explore the dos and don’ts of highlighting curly hair to help you navigate this intricate process with confidence. From choosing the right shades to protecting the integrity of your curls, these expert tips will ensure that you achieve a stunning and long-lasting color transformation while keeping your curls healthy and lustrous.
Understanding Permed Hair And Highlights
Permed hair can bring texture and volume to your locks, but adding highlights to permed hair requires a nuanced approach. Understanding the interaction between permed hair and highlights is crucial for achieving the desired color and keeping your curls healthy. Permed hair is chemically treated to change its structure permanently, making it more susceptible to damage from additional chemical treatments like highlighting.
When highlighting permed hair, it’s important to consider the condition of your curls to prevent excessive damage. The porous nature of permed hair can cause highlights to appear more intense or vibrant than intended, so working with a professional colorist who understands the unique characteristics of permed hair is recommended. Opting for a balayage or ombre technique can help blend the highlights seamlessly with your curls, minimizing the contrast between the colored strands and your natural hair.
To maintain the health and vitality of your permed hair when highlighting, use nourishing hair care products specifically formulated for chemically treated hair. Regular deep conditioning treatments and minimizing heat styling can help preserve the integrity of your curls while keeping your highlighted strands looking vibrant and lustrous.
Choosing The Right Highlighting Technique
When it comes to highlighting permed hair, choosing the right highlighting technique is crucial to achieve the best results without compromising the integrity of your curls. One effective technique for highlighting permed hair is balayage, which involves hand-painting the highlights onto the hair for a natural, sun-kissed look. This technique works well with curly hair as it allows for a more customized placement of highlights that can complement your curl pattern.
Another popular highlighting technique for permed hair is foil highlighting. Foil highlights are applied using foils to separate and process the strands individually, creating a more defined and dramatic effect. However, it’s essential to work with a skilled stylist who understands how to highlight permed hair without causing damage or disrupting the curl pattern. To ensure the best results, consult with your stylist to determine which highlighting technique will work best for your specific hair type and desired look.
Selecting The Best Highlighting Shades
When selecting the best highlighting shades for permed hair, it’s essential to consider your base hair color and the overall look you wish to achieve. Opt for highlights that complement your natural curls and enhance the texture of your perm. Warm tones like golden blondes and caramel shades can add dimension and depth to your curls, creating a sun-kissed effect.
Avoid selecting shades that are too drastic or stark against your perm as they can look unnatural and clash with your curls. Instead, choose highlighting shades that are within a few shades lighter or darker than your base color to achieve a more seamless and natural-looking result. Additionally, consulting with a professional hairstylist can help you determine the most flattering highlighting shades for your permed hair based on your skin tone and personal style preferences.
Remember to maintain your highlighted curls with proper care and conditioning to keep them looking vibrant and healthy. Regular treatments and using color-safe products can help preserve the integrity of your perm and highlights, ensuring a long-lasting and beautiful result.
Preparing Your Permed Hair For Highlights
To achieve stunning highlights on permed hair, proper preparation is key. Begin by ensuring your curls are in optimal condition before the highlighting process. Deep conditioning treatments can help hydrate and strengthen your hair, reducing the risk of damage during the highlighting process. It’s important to wait at least a week after perming your hair before adding highlights to avoid overwhelming your strands with chemical treatments and risking excessive damage.
Consult with a professional stylist to determine the best highlighting technique for your permed hair. They can assess the current condition of your curls and recommend the most suitable highlighting method to achieve your desired look while maintaining the health of your hair. Additionally, consider the color contrast between your permed curls and the desired highlights to ensure a seamless and natural-looking result. Remember, healthy hair is the foundation for beautiful highlights, so prioritize nourishing and strengthening your permed hair before diving into the highlighting process.
Highlighting Maintenance For Permed Hair
Maintaining highlighted permed hair is crucial to preserve the health and vibrancy of your curls. After highlighting your permed hair, it’s essential to use a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to prevent stripping the color and moisture from your locks. Deep conditioning treatments should be incorporated into your haircare routine to nourish and hydrate your curls, keeping them soft and manageable.
To maintain the brightness of your highlights, consider using color-safe hair products and avoid washing your hair too frequently. Opt for a gentle cleansing routine to prevent fading and maintain the longevity of your highlights. Regular trims are also important to get rid of any split ends and keep your permed hair looking healthy and fresh.
Protect your highlighted permed hair from heat damage by using heat protectant sprays before styling with heat tools. Embrace natural air-drying methods whenever possible to minimize heat exposure. Lastly, incorporate regular touch-up appointments with your hairstylist to refresh your highlights and maintain the overall health of your permed hair. Consistent care and attention will ensure your highlighted curls remain radiant and vibrant.
Common Mistakes To Avoid When Highlighting Permed Hair
When highlighting permed hair, there are common mistakes that should be avoided to maintain the health and integrity of your curls. One common mistake is over-processing the hair with highlights, which can lead to excessive damage and breakage. It’s important to work with a skilled stylist who understands how to properly highlight permed hair without compromising its texture.
Another mistake to steer clear of is using harsh chemicals or bleach on permed hair. These strong products can cause the curls to become dry, brittle, and prone to frizz. Opt for gentle highlighting formulas specifically designed for use on permed hair to prevent damage and maintain the bounce and shape of your curls.
Additionally, avoid highlighting too frequently, as this can weaken the hair shaft and result in a lackluster appearance. Allow enough time between highlighting sessions to give your permed hair a chance to recover and maintain its health and vibrancy. By steering clear of these common mistakes, you can achieve beautifully highlighted curls that shine with health and vitality.
Professional Vs. Diy Highlighting For Curls
When it comes to highlighting curls, choosing between a professional stylist or a DIY approach is a crucial decision. Professionals have the expertise and experience to assess your specific hair type, texture, and color to create customized highlights that complement your curls beautifully. They can ensure that the highlighting process is done correctly and with minimal damage to your hair, resulting in a more polished and professional outcome.
On the other hand, opting for a DIY highlighting kit can be a cost-effective option for those looking to save money. However, it is essential to consider the potential risks involved, such as improper application leading to uneven coloring, damage to your curls, or a less desirable end result. DIY highlighting requires careful attention to detail, precision, and knowledge of how different hair types react to lightening agents.
Ultimately, the choice between professional vs. DIY highlighting for curls depends on your comfort level, budget, and desired results. If you value expertise and precision, investing in a professional stylist may be the best option to ensure stunning highlighted curls that enhance your overall look.
Styling Tips For Highlighted Permed Hair
When it comes to styling highlighted permed hair, it’s important to take special care to maintain the health and vibrancy of your curls. Firstly, opt for sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners specifically formulated for color-treated hair to prevent your highlights from fading. Additionally, consider incorporating a deep conditioning treatment into your routine to keep your curls hydrated and nourished.
To enhance the dimension of your highlighted permed hair, try using styling products that cater to curly hair textures such as curl-enhancing creams or mousses. These products can help define your curls and make your highlights pop. Avoid heat styling tools as much as possible to prevent further damage to your hair, and opt for air drying or using a diffuser attachment on a low heat setting when blow-drying.
Lastly, consider incorporating protective hairstyles like braids or buns to minimize manipulation and reduce the risk of breakage. Embrace your natural curls and play up the contrast of your highlights with strategic styling techniques to showcase the beauty of your permed hair.
FAQ
Can Highlighting Cause Damage To Permed Hair?
Highlighting can potentially cause damage to permed hair as the chemicals used in highlighting can strip the hair of its natural oils and moisture, leading to dryness and breakage. The overlapping of chemicals from highlighting on already chemically treated hair, such as permed hair, can also weaken the hair shaft and cause further damage. It is advisable to consult with a professional stylist before choosing to highlight permed hair to minimize the risk of damage and ensure the best possible outcome for your hair.
How Soon After Getting A Perm Can I Highlight My Curls?
It is recommended to wait at least two weeks after getting a perm before highlighting your curls. This waiting period allows your hair to recover from the chemical processing of the perm and reduces the risk of damage. Highlighting too soon can cause further stress on your hair, leading to dryness, breakage, and potential loss of curl pattern. Always consult with your hairstylist for personalized advice based on your specific hair type and condition.
Are There Specific Types Of Highlights That Work Best For Permed Hair?
For permed hair, subtle highlights like babylights or balayage tend to work best. These techniques create a natural, sun-kissed look that complements the texture of permed hair. Opt for shades that are only a few shades lighter than your natural hair color to avoid an overly contrasting effect. Additionally, focusing the highlights around the face and ends of the hair can help enhance the curls and give a dimensional look to the perm.
Should I Use A Special Shampoo Or Conditioner For Highlighted Permed Hair?
Yes, it is recommended to use a special shampoo and conditioner formulated for highlighted permed hair. These products are designed to nourish and protect the hair, as highlighted and permed hair tends to be more fragile and prone to damage. Look for products that are sulfate-free, as sulfates can strip the hair of its natural oils and color. Additionally, choose a conditioner that is hydrating and helps to maintain the health and vibrancy of your highlighted permed hair. This will help to keep your hair looking its best and maintain the longevity of your perm and highlights.
How Can I Maintain The Health And Integrity Of My Permed Hair After Highlighting?
To maintain the health and integrity of permed hair after highlighting, it is crucial to use specialized products for colored and permed hair. Look for sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners that are gentle on the hair and help retain moisture. Additionally, minimize heat styling and use thermal protectants when necessary to prevent further damage. Regular deep conditioning treatments and avoiding over-washing can also help preserve the health of your permed and highlighted hair. Consulting with a professional stylist for personalized advice and treatments is recommended.
Final Thoughts
Elevating your curly hair with highlights can undoubtedly add a stunning dimension to your natural texture, but it is crucial to approach the process with care and knowledge. By following the dos and don’ts outlined in this article, you can ensure that your permed hair remains healthy, vibrant, and full of life. Understanding the unique considerations of highlighting curly hair, such as the impact of texture and color compatibility, allows you to make informed decisions that will enhance and showcase your beautiful curls. Embrace the transformative power of highlights while safeguarding the integrity of your permed hair, and let your radiant curls shine bright with every step of your highlighting journey.