How To: Highlight your own hair

Highlights add depth and interest to a hair color. Get that beachy, sun-kissed look and change up your style by adding some well placed highlights in your hair. You'll save time and money by buying a kit and doing it yourself.

Step 1: Choose where to highlight

Decide where to add highlights – in the front, back, or throughout.

Step 2: Mix bleach and color

Put on the gloves and mix the bleach and the color together in the container according to package instructions.

Step 3: Separate hair sections

Using the rat tail comb, separate the hair you want to highlight into half-inch sections. For chunkier highlights, separate into sections of 1 to 1 ½ inches.

Step 4: Apply foil

Pull off a piece of hair foil twice the length of your hair. Place it securely beneath one section of hair, pulling it taut. Use the hair clips to hold the foil in place.

Step 5: Apply mixture

Place a generous amount of the mixture on the tint brush and apply it evenly to the selected section of hair.

Do not apply the color mixture to the root of the hair – it will inhibit hair growth.

Step 6: Fold foil

Fold the foil upwards and wrap securely so that no hair is exposed. Repeat this process with each section of hair that you want highlighted. Finish within 20 minutes in order to avoid over-processing.

For longer or thicker hair you may want someone to help you with this process.

Step 7: Check in 20 minutes

Using a mirror, check the first sections after 20 minutes. If they've reached the desired color, remove the foil. If they haven't, check back at five-minute intervals.

Step 8: Shampoo and style

Your highlights are ready, shampoo and rinse twice to get all the chemicals out of your hair. Follow up with conditioner, and style as desired!