Yes, you can get a haircut after highlights, but it's generally recommended to get a trim or haircut before your highlighting appointment for the best results.
Why Cutting Before Highlights is Often Preferred
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Highlights Matched to Your Cut: Having your hair cut before getting highlights allows your colorist to strategically place the highlights to complement your specific hairstyle and the way your hair falls. This ensures a more cohesive and intentional look.
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Avoiding Unintentional Color Removal: If you get highlights and then cut off a significant portion of your hair, you risk removing the most brightly highlighted sections, especially with techniques like balayage where color is concentrated at the ends. This can lead to a less noticeable or unbalanced result.
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Optimal Blending: A pre-highlight haircut lets the stylist blend the highlights seamlessly into the cut. This creates a more natural and dimensional effect.
Considerations for Cutting After Highlights
While cutting before is generally advised, there are situations where trimming after is acceptable, or even necessary:
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Minor Trims: If you're only planning a very slight trim (dusting the ends) after highlights, it's usually fine. Discuss this with your colorist beforehand.
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Correcting Unevenness: If the highlights reveal unevenness in your existing haircut that wasn't apparent before, a trim after can help even things out.
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Damage Assessment: Highlighting can sometimes reveal damage that necessitates trimming after the coloring process to maintain healthy hair.
The Ideal Scenario: Consultation and Collaboration
The best approach is to:
- Consult with Your Hair Stylist/Colorist: Discuss your desired cut and highlighting plans with both your stylist and colorist (if they're different people) beforehand.
- Schedule Accordingly: Ideally, schedule a haircut before your highlight appointment.
- Communicate Needs: Make sure both professionals are aware of your overall vision so they can work together to achieve the best possible result.
