Are you asking for the right process at the hair colorist?
If your hair colorist told you she wanted to slice you, would you make a run for it?
Well, you shouldn’t — “slicing,” along with “ribbons,” and “shine lights” are merely the latest ways to get gorgeous locks.
As highlighting techniques have evolved, there are more modern ways to lace light through your strands, so that your face looks brighter and younger than ever. Some of these new techniques even feature the benefit of a more camouflaged grow-out, saving you both time and money.
Sounds amazing, right? Thing is, in order to experience this new technology, you’ve got to speak the lingo, so your colorist knows what you’re asking for.
StyleList caught up with Jet Rhys of the Jet Rhys Salon in San Diego for the skinny on these insider terms, so the rest of us can experience these new face-altering hair color tricks.
Slicing
The colorist isolates a very thin section of hair with a pick comb in order to highlight, so that they can get in very close to the root. The effect can be very subtle or dramatic, depending on how thin or thick the slices are. “Traditionally, you weave hair in and out with highlights. This method grows in more naturally since you can get close to the root, giving you more bang for your buck!” says Rhys.
Shine Lights
Super skinny sections of hair are colored to enhance your hair’s natural movement. Shine lights typically run two shades lighter or darker. and have the effect of making hair sparkle. “Sometimes adding lowlights can add a little sad cloud over your hair color. This technique instantly adds color to your skin and breaks up an over-lightened head of hair,” says Rhys.
Ribbons
Medium sections of hair are lightened randomly, resulting in a more artistic flair, instead of the regimented pattern of classic highlights. “This can give you a fabulously fierce highlighted look!” says Rhys.
Baliage
Hair color is carefully hand-painted freestyle — without foils — onto select strands for a naturally sun-touched look. “It’s a great way to personalize your color and it pairs amazingly with textured or wavy hair,” says Rhys.
Blonde on Blonde
This term describes slowly lifting a lighter hair color base to prevent brassiness, and the resulting need for bleach. “In the past, we would have to place so much bleach on the hair to remove the brass and it would strip away shine and health. The new technique is so gorgeous and touchable – like Nicole Richie’s beautiful buttery shade,” says Rhys. In order to pull off this subtler process, your base can’t stray too far from the shade mother nature gave you.
