WHAT ARE BABYLIGHTS? EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

You can achieve this popular hair coloring trend with any hair color and type.

BY JOHN FRIEDA HAIR CARE TEAM

With highlights, balayage, ombre, and the seemingly endless list of hair trends and techniques, babylights might slip under your radar. Babylights are a variation of traditional foil highlights that use smaller pieces of hair between the pieces of foil and are applied to specific sections of your hair. If you’re wondering what babylights are and if they are the right choice for you, keep reading to learn more about this versatile hair trend.

What are Babylights?

Babylights are accomplished much the same way as traditional foil highlights. The difference is in the placement of the highlights and the amount of hair captured between each foil. Hair is sectioned very finely—just a few strands at a time—to achieve an effect that looks like your hair was naturally lightened by the sun.

Similar to balayage and highlighting, babylights are strategically placed to blend naturally with your base color. The super-fine highlights usually focus on your hairline, your natural part, and toward your ends for a subtle, born-this-way finish.

“Similar to balayage and highlighting, babylights are strategically placed to blend naturally with your base color.”

However, the process of creating babylights can be very time-consuming since they’re painted on a few strands at a time. And because time is money, that trip to the salon may hit your wallet a little harder than usual.

What is the Difference Between Babylights, Highlights, and Balayage?

While all three techniques are used to lighten your hair in specific areas, there is some variation in technique and the resulting look. Babylights are often used in combination with other hair lightening techniques, so here’s more about what makes them different:

	Technique	Appearance
Babylights	Babylights are applied to smaller sections of hair and only a few select areas of the head	Applying babylights creates a subtle, natural-looking finish to your hair in order to achieve a lightened-by-the-sun look
Highlights	Highlights also use foil, but each application is painted on a larger section of hair	With highlights, bigger sections of hair are distinct from the base hair color while still giving it a sun-kissed glow
Balayage	Balayage is freehand painted directly onto the hair in large sections	Often compared to the bolder ombre, balayage results in natural, sunlit highlights

Should I Get Babylights?

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Babylights are perfect for anyone who wants to change things up a bit without getting too drastic with their hair color. They are so fine and natural-looking that they require very little maintenance. As hair grows, the effect will just become softer and even more subtle than before.

“Babylights are perfect for anyone who wants to change things up a bit without getting too drastic with their hair color.”

Babylights can be applied to any hair color, length, or type. That means this is a coloring technique that will look great on all kinds of hair! Babylights are even perfect for fine hair since they are applied to smaller sections of hair. Your stylist can mix just the right color to make it look like your hair’s been naturally lightened by the sun.

How Do I Care for Babylights?

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Just like any color technique, babylights can be damaging to delicate strands. Keep your sunkissed tresses looking healthy and lustrous with products that are specially formulated to transform dry, stressed hair into healthy-looking locks.

Use a hair mask for blonde hair to restore fibers and protect lightened hair from further damage. And if you’re seeing brassy tones in your new babylights, use a purple shampoo to neutralize warm tones and reveal a cooler, brighter blonde.

Loving your new radiant do? See even more beautiful John Frieda hair color ideas here.