Alternative to woven, foil highlights

[AllanJudge]

It might seem like an obvious question, but i'm doing half head highlights on someone Wednesday (which I hate, they're so outdated)... My question is: what can I do to achieve the look she's going for, which is just boring bleach highlights and lowlights, without the tedious use of foils and weaving?

I know it will probably have to be a balayage technique, but how would I achieve it?

Advice, videos etc would be so appreciated.

 

[RED STAR]

I think folk ask for highlights without REALLY knowing, if highlights is what they want!
Personally, I dislike the 'packed in, back to back' look....you just as well do a full head lightener in my view!

Free hand 'BESPOKE' colouring is my prefered method.
I like to use a combination of different techniques, to include hand painting, mech, and demi colouring depending on the desired final result.

During the consultation, I discuss the look they to achieve.
The cost of the initial service.
Then finally, the commitment, with regard time and cost of maintaining that look 'in salon'.
These factors will determine the most suitable colouring technique for your client.

 

[cassies97]

Your options are spatula (however you're still weaving);

Or balayage. Take a look at ashleenormanhair on insta she does a great straddle low lowlight with balayage technique.

 

[funtimefranko]

I think folk ask for highlights without REALLY knowing, if highlights is what they want!
Personally, I dislike the 'packed in, back to back' look....you just as well do a full head lightener in my view!

Free hand 'BESPOKE' colouring is my prefered method.
I like to use a combination of different techniques, to include hand painting, mech, and demi colouring depending on the desired final result.

During the consultation, I discuss the look they to achieve.
The cost of the initial service.
Then finally, the commitment, with regard time and cost of maintaining that look 'in salon'.
These factors will determine the most suitable colouring technique for your client.

I wish i was that creative

 

[RED STAR]

I wish i was that creative[/QUOTE

 

[AllanJudge]

Thanks Cam and Redstar.

Should I buy Wella freelights to do this?

What about if I take a section that would normally be weaved, and then stroke vertical lines of bleach on the areas that would have been bleached had I weaved them?
Does this make sense?

 

[AllanJudge]

So take a section, paint vertical lines of bleach onto it... Then the areas i'm doing the lowlights, i'll weave them and put them in foil?

 

[RED STAR]

I wish i was that creative

Visualise the final look, then place your colour to best compliment the style.

 

[RED STAR]

So take a section, paint vertical lines of bleach onto it... Then the areas i'm doing the lowlights, i'll weave them and put them in foil?

Can you post a picture of what you're wanting to achieve?

I am a firm believer in 'LESS IS MORE'.....
Balayage is fab.....a few well placed 'weaves', can have a far greater impact than a head full of foils!
Less regrowth, lower maintenance, more affordable for your clients........
Quick, popular, profitable service, and fun to do!.....WIN WIN

 

[AllanJudge]

Can you post a picture of what you're wanting to achieve?

I am a firm believer in 'LESS IS MORE'.....
Balayage is fab.....a few well placed 'weaves', can have a far greater impact than a head full of foils!
Less regrowth, lower maintenance, more affordable for your clients........
Quick, popular, profitable service, and fun to do!.....WIN WIN

She just wants the typical half head highlights and lowlights. I wouldn't even know where to find a pic, I don't think she wants anything dead trendy which is a shame. It's dark underneath and highlighted on top [emoji42][emoji42]

I think im gonna have to talk her into getting a balayage.

With the Wella freelights, does that have a 6% developer or just 9 and 12%?

 

[cassies97]

She just wants the typical half head highlights and lowlights. I wouldn't even know where to find a pic, I don't think she wants anything dead trendy which is a shame. It's dark underneath and highlighted on top [emoji42][emoji42]

I think im gonna have to talk her into getting a balayage.

With the Wella freelights, does that have a 6% developer or just 9 and 12%?

It has all three... But honestly you NEED the 12%. I never use anything lower unless i'm working on something really subtle.

Just explain that you'll still get her to her final look with balayage and the growth will be less harsh.

 

[AllanJudge]

So the technique ive mentioned where I said about painting on vertical lines, is that okay?

With foils you'd take a section of hair, weave it, put the product on, wrap it in the foil... Can I take the same section of hair and paint vertical lines onto the hair that would have been weaved?

 

[AllanJudge]

I must sound like an idiot. I know the answers really, im just looking for feedback.
I know there's no rules, it's all about placement. I just want someone to tell me it's okay to do it so that if it doesn't turn out right I can blame this forum lol.

 

[surf girl]

It's ok to do it your not going to achieve a highlighted look like a half head with balayge IMO, balyage is more light underneath and round the front rather than through the whole top section, which is possibly what th client actually wants if they keep having half head, if you can get them to switch over great but then you need to work out how you'll stretch the root to cover the previous bleach without loosing too much lightness on top but still keeping a balyaged look, trickier than it sounds in reality, also use blondor rather than free lights it's much nicer to work with

Sorry if I put a twist on your plans there just being logical

 

[cassies97]

So the technique ive mentioned where I said about painting on vertical lines, is that okay?

With foils you'd take a section of hair, weave it, put the product on, wrap it in the foil... Can I take the same section of hair and paint vertical lines onto the hair that would have been weaved?

If you haven't done a balayage before then I wouldn't attempt it;

If you really want to get away from foils i'd spatch it.

 

[AllanJudge]

But why can't you put light through the top section and just mimic where the woven highlights would go? So work up to the top until eventually the parting is in place, and you place the bleach where you want it to go?

 

[AllanJudge]

I thought using a spatula was a balayage.

 

[cassies97]

I thought using a spatula was a balayage.

No the spatula with teeth, you take a slice, weave and place it in the spatch then apply colour combing it through with the spatch and keep applying!

 

[AllanJudge]

Oh yeah I watched a Youtube vid the other day where someone done that.
She's only got about an inch of re growth though, is that okay?

Don't mean to undermine you, Kahuna, it's just different feedback, but Cam would you suggest freelights or normal Blondor? I'm worried the normal Blondor will bleed into the hair underneath.

 

[cassies97]

Oh yeah I watched a Youtube vid the other day where someone done that.
She's only got about an inch of re growth though, is that okay?

Don't mean to undermine you, Kahuna, it's just different feedback, but Cam would you suggest freelights or normal Blondor? I'm worried the normal Blondor will bleed into the hair underneath.

Yeah spatch will be better on an inch you wouldn't be able to balayage an inch.

For spatch normal blondor; for balayage i'd rather work with freelights when i can because the consistency is much nicer but sometimes you need to use normal blondor because freelights wont lift enough on certain bases (or even magma is an option).