What is the cheapest alternative to highlights?

Author: Johnnie Bergnaum  |  Last update: Sunday, August 10, 2025

Single-process color is usually the most affordable option at salons. It's also generally the most gentle option for your hair. So if you're looking for an affordable and gentle option for a new color, single-processing may be the best route.

What can I do instead of highlights?

The alternative to single-process color or highlights is a double-process color.

What is cheaper than highlights?

Cost: due to less frequent touch-ups, lowlights are usually less expensive than highlights.

What is the average price for a full head of highlights?

How much do full highlights cost? Full highlights, also known as full foil or full head highlights, typically cost between $100 and $350. The price range is influenced by the length and thickness of your hair, as well as the rates charged by the hair salons you visit.

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.”

Supply List for Highlighting Your Hair at Home + At Home Substitutes

How to lighten hair without highlights?

6 Easy Ways to Lighten Your Hair at Home Naturally
  1. Use lemon juice to lighten strands.
  2. Make a lightening hydrogen peroxide and baking soda paste.
  3. Swipe on peroxide for highlights.
  4. Create a honey-infused concoction.
  5. Douse hair in apple cider vinegar.
  6. Use at-home hair lightening products.

What are the most natural looking highlights?

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

Why is getting highlights so expensive?

Why are highlights so expensive now?!? The short answer is, highlights aren't just highlights anymore. What used to take a hour and a half to 2 hours, now takes 3-4 hours and 3-4x the amount of products. People want complicated blonding services, not just a partial foil.

How much do you tip a hairdresser?

How much should you tip your hairdresser? We asked three etiquette experts, two salon professionals and a certified financial planner. Most of these experts suggest leaving 15% to 20%, depending on the service and your satisfaction. Going with 20% is nice for the stylist and you because that math is pretty simple.

What are the four basic types of hair highlights?

There are four basic types of highlights: foil highlights, hair painting, frosting, and chunking. Highlights can be any color, as long as it is a lighter level than the surrounding hair. Hair lightened with bleach or permanent color will be permanent until new growth begins to show.

What is a mini highlight?

A mini highlight involves applying highlights or lowlights to specific sections of the hair, typically targeting the crown area or face-framing sections. This technique adds dimension and brightness to the hair, offering a subtle yet noticeable enhancement to the overall look.

What is a less expensive alternative to balayage?

Quick and easy: Traditional highlighting techniques can be applied quickly and require less time in the salon chair. Affordable: Traditional highlighting techniques can cost less than balayage and other hair color techniques.

Is it better to highlight or color gray hair?

The best coloring technique for gray hair ultimately depends on your desired look and how much coverage you want. We suggest opting for an all-over color service to fully mask every gray hair on your head with a uniform shade. However, highlighting may be better if your goal is seamlessly blending your grays.

What do I do if I hate my new highlights?

How to Get Rid of Highlights: An Expert Guide
  1. 01 of 05. Add Lowlights. Want to tone down the intensity of your highlights, while still keeping some dimension? ...
  2. 02 of 05. Shadow Root or Color Melt. ...
  3. 03 of 05. Use a Darker Gloss or Toner. ...
  4. 04 of 05. Cut Off the Highlights. ...
  5. 05 of 05. Use Permanent Color.

What is an alternative to hair foils?

Paper Not Foil is a sustainable foil alternative created by hairdressers for hairdressers. It's made from recycled construction waste (no trees), it causes no harm to our environment throughout its whole life cycle. You can reuse Paper Not Foil many times by washing it in the washing machine or by hand.

Is it rude not to tip hairdressers?

Tipping is customary, so think of the full amount you owe as your service cost plus tip, which might help you save up when it comes time for your appointment. If you have a long-standing relationship with your hairdresser, and your situation has changed, be open with them, and remember that every little bit counts.

How much do you tip for $200 hair color?

Service pricing reflects the complexity and expertise required. A general guideline: $100 service: Tip $15-$20. $200 service: Tip $30-$50.

Is a $5 tip good for a $20 haircut?

“$10 to $20 is generous,” Rivera said. “Most people will do $5.” Others said people should leave a similar tip to what they would leave at a restaurant. “I would say around 20% is fine,” said Adam Quintero, owner of Up Hair in the Castro.

What is the most expensive hair color in the world?

"PLATINUM HAIR is the most expensive hair color in the world. Why? Because it takes so many products, so much maintenance, and constant care to keep it looking like this.

Does highlights make you look younger?

Highlights also reflect light which takes the focus away from any fine lines and softens your complexion. This youthful hair color trick is just the thing for a sparkling pick me up that's also super easy to maintain.

What is the best alternative to highlights?

Applying lowlights is broadly similar to applying highlights. Beforehand, make sure your hair is dry before coming it to get rid of tangles, and then divide it into four sections. However, you should keep lowlights a little more thin – use less than you would for highlights.

What are peekaboo highlights?

What Are Peekaboo Highlights? "Peekaboo highlights are [strands of dyed hair] typically hidden when the hair is down. They become visible only when the hair moves, is styled in certain ways, or intentionally parted to reveal them," says Priscilla Choi, a colorist at NYC The Team.

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