Are highlights the same as frosting?

Author: Jevon Friesen  |  Last update: Friday, October 24, 2025

Frosting is a muted hair coloring method, while highlights are bolder and more noticeable. Both ways are designed to blend with natural hair color.

Is frosting hair the same as bleaching?

Frosting: Typically thought of as pulling the hair through a cap and applying bleach and possibly a toner The results can be light or heavy depending on how much hair was pulled through. This is considered an ``outdated'' application and leaves very little opportunity to incorporate other colors.

What is frosting hair color?

Frosted hair is a retro terminology used to describe ``cap'' hilights in where the hair is pulled through a snug fitting rubber cap with a crochet hook then bleached to a light blond color. This method was common place b4 foil hi lights went more mainstream around the mid 90's.

How long does hair frosting last?

On average, highlights can stay fresh for 6–12 weeks (and sometimes up to 6 months), but this depends on the technique, your hair type, and how well you care for them.

What is the least damaging way to highlight your hair?

Baby highlights or money pieces are two approaches that only bleach small portions of your hair. Faye adds, “Balayage is a great technique to consider that uses bleach painting on the surface of the hair, not penetrating as deep into the hair cuticle which creates less opportunity for damage.”

What Is the Difference Between Hair Frosting & Highlighting? : Hair Care & Maintenance

What are the most natural looking highlights?

Babylights. These are the finest and most natural looking highlights.

Which highlight does not damage hair?

If you've ever hesitated to color your hair for fear of damage, SmartBond is the answer to your prayers. It's possible to actually improve your hair's strength by coloring it with L'Oréal's new products. For highlight fans, this product is a miracle.

Is frosting hair still a thing?

Take a leap in 2023 and go for a fun, bold hair color. Frosted hair is the perfect, trendy blast from the past as today's trends take major cues from the '90s. You can't go wrong with any of these styles, they demand attention and add brightness to any look.

Do I need a full head of highlights every time?

That being said, highlights only require top-ups every 6-8 weeks, and it is very easy to switch from getting half heads to full heads and vice versa. It all comes down to your hair goals, so have a good think about what look you want.

Which is better, highlights or streaks?

Streaks create a wonderful contrast to your natural shade and the color will pop. Highlights are better for those who are willing to make the color blend. Now that you know the difference between highlights and streaks, you can choose the style which suits you the most and the one that you truly like.

What is the difference between hair frosting and Balayage?

Well, that's a great question! Kinglsey stepped in to clarify what the main differences are between the two hair style trends. “Frosting typically uses small, cool-blonde tones to contrast the darker base color, while Balayage tends to apply warmer, buttery tones to the base colour” Kinglsey explains.

How to frost your hair with highlights?

Pulling Hair through a Frosting Cap
  1. Insert the highlighting needle into the first hole ½ inch behind the hairline. ...
  2. Hook a small amount of your hair with the end of the needle. ...
  3. Pull the hooked section of hair out through the hole in the cap. ...
  4. Continue pulling hair through the holes in a strategic way.

How can I color frosting?

How to Colour Icing?
  1. Once you've made up your icing or buttercream frosting, you need to separate it into several bowls. ...
  2. Add your colouring. ...
  3. Use a knife of a toothpick to swirl the drops into your icing in order for the colouring to distribute evenly before mixing vigorously.
  4. Review your work!

Is frosting the same as highlights?

Both techniques can add dimension to the hair and help create contrast when paired with the hair's base color. However, frosted hair and highlights differ in their placement, intensity and overall maintenance routine.

What are tiny highlights called?

Babylight Highlights

Babylights are a delicate way to achieve the sun-kissed look for your hair. They leave your hair with a lovely shimmer and glow and are more subdued than conventional highlights.

Which is more damaging, highlights or color?

Additionally, single-color tends to be gentler on your hair than highlights. The bleach used in highlight formulas can cause damage, particularly if you have them done often, or use other chemical hair treatments.

What are the cons of getting highlights?

The downside of highlights is that they do require more maintenance since they give off a much more dramatic and bold appearance. In order to maintain that just-came-from-the-salon look, it is important to have your highlights touched up more frequently so your hair will stay looking fresh and vibrant.

Is it better to get full or partial highlights?

Full highlights tend to be more pronounced and are ideal for those seeking a noticeable change without having to dye all of their hair. Partial highlights, meanwhile, are subtler and often result in a more natural-looking, sun-kissed effect.

Does frosting your hair damage it?

In theory, though, you're only coloring your gray strands once, so the technique is way less damaging than typical highlights. Nevertheless, it's important that you're treating your tresses with love and regularly conditioning them leading up to your hair frosting appointment.

Is balayage out of style?

As we step into 2024, the world of hair fashion continues to evolve, and balayage remains at the forefront of hair color trends.

Why is frosting so good?

Frosting's stability makes it a favorite amongst dessert decorators worldwide, as it can hold shapes and create unique decorations like flowers to add to your baked dessert. Frosting is most commonly used to decorate cupcakes and cakes. However, its cloud-like consistency makes it a fun cookie topping as well.

What is the cheapest alternative to highlights?

Depending on how fast your hair grows, you'll have to get a single-process color touched up every four to eight weeks. Whereas highlights can last up to two to three months. Single-process color is usually the most affordable option at salons. It's also generally the most gentle option for your hair.

What to avoid with highlights?

Avoid using strong shampoos such as clarifying shampoos as they could remove the dye pigments from the hair. Avoid using too much hairspray, as it could damage the highlights.

Are highlights OK for thinning hair?

“When dealing with a client who has fine or thinning hair, I always recommend adding a deeper root with just a few highlights, which helps hair look fuller and thicker — especially at the roots where you want some volume,” celebrity colorist Erick Orellana explained.

Previous article
What is the best thing to moisturize extremely dry skin?
Next article
Which days are good for hair wash?