High-Lift is nothing but a permanent hair color that lightens your hair without the assistance of a bleach. This involves removing some of the natural pigment from your strands and applying the dye to it. This happens with the help of the higher proportion of ammonia and color pigments. Ammonia in particular opens the cuticle layer and ensures that your hair can absorb the color. Try High Lift for highlights, bleaching, base breaking and find out in this article who this new coloring technique is suitable for!
What are the differences between high-lift blonde and bleaching?
Now, before you start celebrating the demise of bleach and dreaming about dying your hair blonde again, there are some important differences between these two products that you should take note of:
- The first and most important difference is that bleach can lighten your hair by 3 to 8 levels, while high lift does not lift the pigment and can lighten your highlights by more than 5 levels. This means that only people with dark blonde hair can go blonde with High Lift. So if you have dark brown hair and dream of getting a super light shade of blonde, then bleaching is the best option for you.
- High lift hair color CANNOT be used to lighten colored hair as dye cannot lift color. Therefore, it can only be used on natural, undyed strands. If you have colored hair, you will need to use a color remover before lightening it.
Notice: If you have had a permanent hair treatment (e.g. straightening), you should wait two weeks before trying high lift. - Although high-lift color makes your hair both lighter and stronger, stylists still recommend re-tinting it to get the exact color you desire. Tinting is absolutely necessary to remove orange/blue tones.
- High lift hair color is relatively less harmful to your hair than bleach. However, if used incorrectly, it can have devastating consequences for your hair.
Base breaker coloring technique – what is it and what are the benefits for hair? Theyou can find out here!
High Lift for Highlights – How to do it right
You will need a few things for this process:
- High lift hair color
- 40-volume developer
- Gloves
- Brush for coloring
High Lift for Highlights – Instructions:
- Follow the instructions that come with the hair color - mix the color and two parts 40-volume developer in a bowl. You need to use the mixture quickly for it to work. So don't let them sit for too long before using them.
- Divide your hair into four quarters by parting it along your crown and then horizontally across the back of your head.
- Working with one section at a time, brush over the strands you want to lighten.
- Once you have finished applying, you should leave the dye on for about 45-60 minutes. Check regularly whether you are achieving the desired result.
- After letting the dye work, rinse it out with lukewarm water.
Notice: We recommend not using shampoo after the treatment - this will only dry out your hair even more. Use the conditioner liberally, even adding some to your damp hair after you get out of the shower.
- Ammonia Lift Booster: Some high lifting hair color manufacturers also offer so-called lifting boosters. It contains more ammonia, and more ammonia means you can get even more lifting - hence the name. However, be careful because more chemicals also mean more damage to your hair. Only use this remedy if your hair is in really good condition! Plus, it can irritate your scalp even more. So if you know that your scalp is sensitive, you should stay away from lifting boosters.
How should you care for your hair after lightening?
After any type of treatment, it is important to nurse your hair back to health. 40 volume developers are quite harsh on the scalp and curls and lead to dryness and hair breakage.
Use coconut oil: To combat the damage, it's important to nourish your hair BEFORE and AFTER the lift. A useful tip is to use coconut oil before any type of bleach/dye/toner. Massage it into your hair an hour before treatment and leave it on even if you use the bleach. It may result in some dilution of the product, which may mean it doesn't lighten as much, but by the time you're done with the treatment your hair will be soft and no longer crunchy.
Apply the coconut oil after processing, especially on the ends of my hair, which dry out easily. Use a pea-sized amount and let it melt in your hands first. Rub your hands together to distribute the oil before running your fingers through your hair. As your hair dries, the oil should absorb into the hair like a leave-in conditioner, leaving it soft but not greasy.
After High Lift for Highlights – Avoid Heat for a Week:Try not to use heat for at least a week after treatment – you need to give your hair a break. If you are worried about your styling,check out these methods hereHow to Get Perfect Curls Without Heat!
