Nervous about hair highlights tomorrow

[OnTrain]

I’ve never had my hair highlighted before. Is there anything I should do to prepare? Is it a good/bad idea to wash my hair right beforehand?

I want an all over highlighting, to lighten it up as much as possible. What should I ask for?

Did they not ask you when you booked the appointment what it was for or had a consultation when you went for the skin test?

I asked about skin test butbshe said that highlights don’t touch the skin so no need for test 😕 Is this wrong?!

I’m guessing we’ll just chat about what I want when I get there, but I know what I want but not sure how to tell her, in hair lingo! 😂

She knows I want highlights.

Take a photo - don't make them guess.

Try and find a picture online of the rough colour that you’re after and show it to the hairdresser. Don’t be afraid to ask their professional opinion of how to achieve it (if it is possible) - it’s their job!

Tbh, I would cancel. Skin tests aren't strictly necessary for bleach but they are for toner and if they've never lifted your hair before how will they know if it will need toning? Unless you're already a fairly light blonde i would insist on a skin test prior to lightening the hair.

Also a t-section of foil highlights takes a lot less time than a full head of back to back to foils so I'm confused as to how you have an appointment for 'highlights' without know what type/quantity of highlights you are getting.

I’ve always had a skin test before highlights, they wouldn’t let me have the appointment without it at a new salon as you can get a bad reaction. I’ve been to about 5 different salons. Others more knowledgable might be able to advise.

DON’T wash your hair beforehand! A day or two post washing is good as the natural oils protect it from the bleach.

I would find a photo of the colour you would like - Instagram or Pinterest is good for this

Just to add I have had a reaction to a toner (put on afterwards if needed) and it made my scalp very sore and scabby for months!

This is why I’m asking frequency She is very well known for good results and top reviews. So I haven’t really questioned the skins test after I asked her.

Not sure what toner is?

Or a t-section.

She knows the colour of my hair a d the length

Is she doing a t section? That’s about 10% of your head at the top .... by my calculations

Okay, I’m worried now 🙁

I had to have a skin test for toner too.

• T-bar only covers the parting/ fringe
• Half head- top section down to about ear level with underneath section left uncoloured
• Full head - highlights all over

Toner is used after bleaching to get different tones e.g gold, ash, etc

How dark is your hair to start with?

Toner is a colour - usually a quasi used to knock out any yellow or orange tones after lightening the hair. They contain ppd which is a known allergen with potentially fatal reactions.

If you want as light as possible you want back to back foil highlights with a few well placed slices around the face which would take about one hour to 90 mins longer than t-section foils (which is foils placed only along parting) which is why I am surprised you have an appointment for 'highlights' without having had a consultation or skin test or even knowing how many highlights you want.

Thanks frequency.

I’m a hairdresser and I wouldn’t work anywhere that didn’t skin test in any circumstances, it’s very unprofessional and such a massive risk in this day and age.

I do home hair, I’m insured and I’ve got clients cards with skin test signatures (after performing hem) for my best friends let alone stranger

This is the colour of my hair atm

Thanks whitewash when’s the best time to do a skin test? My app is at 12 tomorrow, shall I phone in the morn to go in at 9 for a test?

Needs to be 48 hours before hairdye

Oh right, okay. Thanks all. I’ll cancel in the morn and try another salon in Feb when I’m off work next.

I feel awful for you.
So many Hairdressers are so shit, I find it really embarrassing.

I’m going back as a barber after mat leave.

I might just mot bother whitewash. I’ve never had my hair coloured and this isn’t a good sign!

I also do mobile hairdressing and my insurance insists on skin tests for lightening, colouring and perming.

The only kind of highlights I would do without a skin test would be cap highlights and even then I would rather do one than not even if only to know how careful I need to be.

Even my daughter who tones and bleached her roots monthly gets a skin test 24-48 hours prior to bleaching.

No do bother, I love having my hair done! Though it is an expensible habit to get into!