How to Add Highlights to Your Hair While Keeping It Healthy

It’s only March, and I’ve been to the salon twice! Who am I? If you’ve been following my journey, then you know it's a struggle for me to keep up with my hair, but going blonde is a HUGE deal, and I want to make sure that I’m protecting this investment! 

If I’m being honest, I didn’t think that my hair could do this! I’ve always loved blonde highlights, and great hair color in general, but I didn’t think it would be possible for MY HAIR! 

WRONG! Yolanda, of House of Diata, a professional with your hair. Over the next few months, we will continue to take you on an amazing journey of what having color and healthy hair can look like. 

Highlights can be a great way to add dimension and brightness to your hair, but they can also be damaging if they're not done correctly. Here are a few tips for getting highlights without sacrificing your hair's health:

house of diata

1. Choose a Reputable Hair Stylist

The most important thing you can do is choose a reputable hair stylist who is experienced in highlighting hair. A good stylist will be able to assess your hair type and condition and recommend the best highlighting technique for you.

A consultation is a must! A good hair stylist will be honest with you about your hair and what’s possible. They will even provide you with tips to keep your hair healthy between salon visits.

2. Use a Gentle Bleach

Bleach is the most common chemical used to lighten hair, but it can also be very harsh. Ask your stylist to use a gentle bleach that is specifically designed for highlights.

3. Get Regular Trims

Regular trims will help to remove split ends and keep your hair healthy. This is especially important for highlighted hair, which is more prone to damage.

4. Use a Deep Conditioner

Deep conditioning treatments can help to repair and moisturize damaged hair. Use a deep conditioner once or twice weekly to keep your highlights looking their best.

My current favorites are Silicon Mix with Argan Oil and The Doux Sweetest Thing Honey Moisture Mask.

5. Avoid Heat Styling

My stylist offered some great tips when it comes to heat styling. While using too much heat is a bad thing, I can use some. Always 300F and under, plus a heat protectant. 

I have found that I enjoy using flexi rods and foam rollers when I want a nice curl or a little body; otherwise, I’ll wrap my hair.

6. Protect Your Hair from the Sun

The sun's UV rays can damage hair, so it's important to protect your highlighted hair from the sun. Wear a hat or scarf when you're outdoors, and use a leave-in conditioner with UV protection.

7. Get Regular Hair Treatments

Regular hair treatments can help to keep your highlighted hair healthy and looking its best. Ask your stylist about treatments that are specifically designed for highlighted hair along with tips to help you maintain your style in between visits! 

By following these tips, you can add highlights to your hair without sacrificing its health.

For a full list of all my favorite hair products, head over to my Amazon Storefront!

Bleaching My Natural Hair Blonde | From Dark Brown to Blonde Hair Safely

They say blondes have more fun, and I guess we are here to test that theory out. I have been enjoying my natural hair, but I’ve been debating on getting color. I’ve heard so many things come into play when wanting to bleach your hair. It’s a process and requires a lot of maintenance. So, was I really up for the challenge? 

An amazing opportunity presented itself and I couldn’t pass it up. Yolonda Jamison from House of Diata was looking to test out a new product and I was ready for change. I had entrusted her with my hair before when I decided I wanted a cute and sassy bob. Deciding to color my naturally dark brown/black hair blonde was a big decision. I had always loved my dark hair,  especially after going natural but I have been curious about adding a little color into my life.

I did a lot of research before I went to the salon. I wanted to make sure that I chose a stylist who was experienced in coloring dark hair blonde. Yolanda was awesome in walking me through this process. During the consultation, we discussed my hair goals and the vision I had for my coloring service. Then she gave her professional opinion on what was best for my hair. Instead of doing an all over blonde, we decided to start slow and add in highlights. We will come back in a few months and do a touch up while adding more high and low lights for a full all over look. 

On the day of my appointment, I was nervous but excited. The stylist started by bleaching my hair. This took a few hours, but the results were amazing. My hair lifted with ease, and we opted to tone the hair for the best results. My hair was now a light ashy blonde color and I love it. It complements my brown skin beautifully! 

The transition to blonde highlights was much better than I thought. Although my hair is more fragile now due to the bleaching process I was educated on things to do to avoid damaging it. I will be gentle while handling my strands, avoid using excessive heat, and keep my hair in a satin wrap or bonnet when not I’m not out. 

Friendly Tip: A silk pillowcase is a great idea for those of us that toss and turn at night or want extra protection for your hair.

Overall, I am so glad that I decided to dye my hair blonde. It has been a fun and rewarding experience. I love my new hair color, and I feel more confident than ever before.

Here are a few tips for anyone who is considering bleaching or dying their natural hair blonde:

• Do your research and choose a stylist who is experienced in coloring dark hair blonde.

• Use a high-quality hair color that will not damage your hair.

• Be patient and realistic about the process. It may take several sessions to achieve your desired hair color.

• Be prepared to take extra care of your hair after the bleaching process.

Products used:

 Wella Lightener and 10 Volume Developer 

 Joico Lumishine XLA 

Influance Hair Care Honey Almond Shampoo  and Honey Almond Conditioner 

The Doux  Sweetest Thing Moisture Mask 

I can’t wait to take you all on my “new” hair journey! I am in love with my hair and it’s finally at a length where I can truly enjoy the styles I like. However, my goals are to thicken the front of my hair and regrow my edges! Stay tuned as I learn what works for me. 

If you’re looking for a hair color specialist, I highly recommend Yolonda of House of Diata! She’s located in Gastonia, North Carolina but also travels!