Adding streaks to your hair at home can be a fun and affordable way to change up your look, but it requires careful planning and execution. Here's a step-by-step guide:
1. Preparation is Key
- Choose the Right Products: Select a highlighting kit designed for home use that's suitable for your hair type and color. Consider a semi-permanent or demi-permanent color for less damage and easier correction if needed. Always do a strand test first!
- Gather Your Supplies: You'll need:
- Highlighting kit (developer, color/bleach, gloves, applicator brush/hook)
- Streaking cap (optional, but helpful for even distribution)
- Old towel to protect your clothing
- Hair clips to section hair
- Timer
- Shampoo and conditioner specifically for color-treated hair
- Protect Your Skin and Clothes: Wear an old t-shirt and drape an old towel around your shoulders. Apply petroleum jelly or barrier cream along your hairline and ears to prevent staining.
- Read the Instructions: Thoroughly read the instructions included in your highlighting kit before you begin.
2. The Streaking Process
Using a Streaking Cap:
- Prepare Your Hair: Start with dry, combed hair. This allows the color to adhere properly.
- Secure the Cap: Place the streaking cap securely on your head, fastening any straps underneath your chin. Make sure all your hair is tucked inside.
- Pull Strands Through: Use the provided highlighting needle (or a crochet hook) to carefully pull small, even strands of hair through the perforations in the cap. Vary the spacing for a natural look. Pull the amount of hair that will give you the streak size that you want.
- Apply the Lightener/Color: Follow the kit's instructions to mix the lightener or color. Apply it evenly to the strands pulled through the cap, being careful not to get any on the cap itself.
- Processing Time: Set a timer for the recommended processing time as indicated in your highlighting kit instructions. Regularly check the color development. Remember, it's better to under-process than over-process!
- Rinse Thoroughly: Once the processing time is up, rinse your hair thoroughly with the cap still on, until the water runs clear.
- Remove the Cap: Carefully remove the streaking cap.
- Shampoo and Condition: Shampoo and condition your hair using products designed for color-treated hair.
Without a Streaking Cap (Foil Method):
- Section Your Hair: Divide your hair into manageable sections using clips.
- Prepare the Foil: Cut strips of aluminum foil that are longer than the length of the hair you want to streak.
- Apply Color to Hair: Place a foil strip under the section of hair you want to streak. Apply the lightener/color evenly to the hair, starting close to the roots and working your way down.
- Fold the Foil: Fold the foil over the hair to keep it in place and prevent the color from bleeding.
- Repeat: Repeat steps 3 and 4 for each streak you want to create, placing the foils strategically throughout your hair.
- Processing Time: Set a timer for the recommended processing time as indicated in your highlighting kit instructions. Regularly check the color development.
- Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse each foil section individually, being careful not to get the color on the rest of your hair.
- Shampoo and Condition: Shampoo and condition your hair using products designed for color-treated hair.
3. Post-Streaking Care
- Deep Condition: Apply a deep conditioner to replenish moisture lost during the streaking process.
- Avoid Heat Styling: Minimize heat styling (blow dryers, curling irons, straighteners) for a few days to allow your hair to recover.
- Use Color-Safe Products: Continue using shampoo and conditioner formulated for color-treated hair to maintain the vibrancy of your streaks and protect your hair.
- Touch-Ups: Depending on your hair growth and the color you used, you may need to touch up your streaks every 4-6 weeks.
Important Safety Note: Always perform a strand test before applying any hair color to your entire head to check for allergic reactions and to ensure you achieve the desired color. If irritation occurs, discontinue use immediately.
