Highlights vs just getting it dyed at the hairdresser?

[ponchohoncho]

My mum booked me in for highlights when I was in my teens and struggling with my confidence and I've just always gone back and got more highlights without thinking about it much. But I've had it done so many times I do wonder if just getting it coloured all over would be a quicker and possibly cheaper way of getting the same result? And is it any less safe? I've had cancer and I know hair dye has toxic stuff in it so maybe it's better not to have it painted on to your scalp? Or maybe it's for such a short time it makes no difference?

For me dye has been far higher maintenance and therefore pricier in the long run - £75 every 5/6 weeks or else my roots get out of control. It was great though in terms of having a change (I went copper!) and giving my hair a break from years of bleach damage from balayage/highlights. It’s in amazing condition now as I took nearly 2 years off bleach. What result are you looking for? Highlights and dye are two very different things with very different results

I'm happy with how it looks at the moment but just wondered if I was paying more for something that took longer than slapping the colour on directly given I don't think there's much brown left after many rounds of highlights. But I know so little about hair so I may be way off! I don't suit anything but blonde so just looking for the best way to get the current or a similar result. Interesting you find dye to be higher maintenance.

If you’re a natural brunette then no amount of dye will make your roots coming through appear blonde. The only way to do that is with bleach via the highlights you’ve been getting (or a full head bleach but that’s a really bad idea)

Oh I realise that. Is a full head of bleach just a bad idea because it damages the hair more?

Very damaging and very high maintenance. You’d be best to ask you stylist to go for a more low maintenance balayage look rather than a full head of highlights every time. Typically with something like that you’d only need to visit the salon every 6 months so cuts down on costs a lot

Cool - hadn't thought of that - thanks!

How old are you now? Why not talk to your hair dresser about what you'd like? They are the professional after all.

I'm growing out grey hair at the moment and have basically been advise by my hair dresser that highlights and lowlights are better/less high maintenance to get the colour I want to blend with grey and to hide roots. Just a colour will have more obvious roots quicker.

In my case yes.
The last time I asked for highlights they called them 'streaks' and it involved a rubber cap and a metal instrument of torture 😂
I get just the regrowth roots done every couple of months or so.
Costs under £40 including tip.
Tried, but can't do roots- only at home, I end up slapping it all on like shampoo and then yes - it breaks off (but I have shockingly weak, thin hair 😔)

The key is the roots. Ask your hairdresser what they would suggest for a low maintenance colour thst grows out nicely. Then you have to go far less often

I came here to say have you considered balayage? I have mine done every 6 months or so and it grows out looking natural and deliberate which I love as it means I have time and space to book in when I have the cash and patience! It also doesn't go all the way to the scalp except for a few foils so minimal direct exposure to the chemicals if that concerns you.

NOt sure I'd suit balayage although I like it on other people. My natural hair colour just doesn't look that great. I'll ask my hairdresser next time I go though. I appreciate everyone's advice:)