The benefits of using highlight paper
One of the most commonly used methods to colour your hair is by applying highlights. We'll explain why highlights are so popular, the most common techniques to apply them, and the benefits of using highlight paper.
What are highlights?
Highlights are lighter strands or sections of hair that are applied to give your hair a sun-kissed, natural look. Typically, these lighter tones are distributed across several sections, creating a beautiful contrast with the natural hair colour.
Highlights can be subtle, just a few shades lighter, or more pronounced, depending on personal preference. The technique can be performed using paper or foil, where strands of hair are wrapped in paper or foil with a lightening product, or with the balayage technique, where highlights are applied manually for a softer, more blended transition.
Why are highlights so popular?
Highlights are incredibly popular for several reasons:
Natural appearance
Highlights mimic the effect of sunlight on the hair, giving it a natural, healthy look. The lighter tones add dimension to the hair without requiring a full-colour transformation.
Versatility
Highlights can be subtle or bold, depending on the technique and shades chosen. This makes them suitable for various hair types, styles, and personalities.
Low maintenance
Unlike full hair colouring, which requires regular touch-ups for regrowth, highlights can last longer without looking unkempt. Regrowth is less noticeable because the natural hair colour remains intact.
Illusion of volume
Highlights add dimension to the hair, making it appear fuller and thicker. This effect is especially popular for people with fine or thin hair. The added volume can also create a more youthful look.
A refresh without a full transformation
For those who don’t want to completely change their hair colour, highlights are a perfect way to refresh a hairstyle and add some flair without a drastic makeover. This makes highlights a popular choice for people looking for subtle yet impactful changes!
Highlight techniques
There are various techniques to apply highlights to your hair, each offering a unique look and approach. Here are some of the most popular methods:
Highlight paper (or foil technique)
With this technique with highlight paper, the hair is sectioned into strips. A highlighting board is placed under the section to be highlighted, topped with paper or foil. The strands are then woven out using the tail end of a fine-tooth comb. The selected strands are laid on the board with the paper, and the highlighting or lowlighting product is applied. The paper is then loosely folded upward, and the sides are gently pressed. This method ensures intensive lightening and precise placement of the highlights. The paper separates the treated strands from the rest of the hair, preventing colour from bleeding onto the base hair.
Watch an instructional video here on how highlights are applied using the foil technique.
Balayage
This is a freehand technique where the colour is painted onto the hair, creating soft transitions from dark to light. The result is a natural, sun-kissed effect with a seamless blend and no harsh lines.
Freehand highlights
Similar to balayage, but the highlights are applied without tools like foil. This technique results in a more natural, less structured look, perfect for a casual style.
Frosting cap (highlight cap)
A frosting cap is placed over the head, and small strands of hair are pulled through with a hook. These strands are then bleached or coloured. While this is an older technique, it’s still commonly used for shorter (shoulder-length or shorter) or finer hair.
Ombré
A technique where the hair gradually lightens towards the ends. Ombré highlights often start lower down the hair than other techniques, creating a clear gradient from the roots to the tips.
Babylights
These are ultra-fine highlights applied with great precision for a subtle, natural look. This technique mimics the natural highlights often seen in children’s hair, hence the name.
Each technique delivers a different result and is suitable for various hair types and styles, depending on whether you prefer a natural, subtle, or bold look.
Benefits of using highlight paper
While there are various techniques, using highlight paper (or foils) for creating highlights offers several advantages compared to other methods, such as balayage or freehand techniques:
Precise placement
Highlight paper allows for precise application of colour to specific sections of the hair, giving more control over where the highlights are placed and how intense the colour appears.
Faster processing time
Wrapping the hair in paper or foil traps heat, which accelerates the color development process and enables more intense lightening.
Brighter results
Because the color is isolated, the highlights become lighter and more vibrant than with techniques like balayage, where the hair is not wrapped.
More contrast possible
With highlight paper, you can create greater contrast by carefully sectioning the hair and applying different intensities, resulting in a more defined look.
Suitable for all hair types
Highlight paper works well on all hair types, including thicker and darker hair, as the insulation helps achieve even and consistent colouring.
Why use highlight paper instead of foil for the foil technique
Aluminum foil is often used for the foil technique, either cut from household rolls or pre-cut to the correct size from specialized hair shops or salons. However, specially designed highlight paper made from polyethylene is a better alternative, both for the environment and in practical use.
Better for the environment
Polyethylene is composed of carbon and hydrogen atoms. When burned, it produces water and carbon dioxide—non-toxic substances. This means polyethylene poses no harm to humans, animals, or the environment. Aluminum foil, on the other hand, is made from aluminum extracted from bauxite in tropical regions. During production, two layers of foil are rolled together to prevent tearing, resulting in a shiny and a matte side. Producing aluminum foil requires a significant amount of energy (15 kWh per kilogram) and is difficult to recycle because it is too thin and completely burns during waste processing, leading to material loss.
Enhances the effectiveness of highlight products
The heat generated by foil enhances the performance of high- or lowlighting products, ensuring precise and even lightening or darkening of the hair. The advantage of polyethylene highlight paper is that it becomes even warmer than aluminum foil, improving the product’s effectiveness.
No rustling noise
Aluminum foil can be noisy when placed on the head or around the ears, creating an unpleasant rustling sound. Polyethylene highlight paper, however, is much quieter and more comfortable for the client.
Reusable
Highlight paper can be easily washed and reused, making it not only more environmentally friendly but also more cost-effective in the long run.
These benefits make highlight paper a popular choice for applying highlights and an eco-friendly alternative to aluminum foil.
Highlight paper
