Alright, babes, let’s talk hair! If you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for fun ways to switch up your vibe, and nothing says “I’m ready for a glow-up” quite like adding some highlights to your dark brown hair. I mean, it’s like instant ✨ LIFE ✨ for your locks. And guess what? You don’t even need a salon appointment to get that sun-kissed perfection. Yup—you can totally do this at home, without spending hours scrolling on Instagram for inspo (but low-key, I know you will, ‘cause same).
So, ready to level up your hair game from home? Let’s get into how you can highlight your brown hair all by yourself, and YOU WILL SLAY, girl. Promise.
Get Prepped, Girl!
Okay, first things first—prepping is key! Before you even touch that bleach (don’t worry, more on that in a sec), you gotta set yourself up for success.
Here’s what you’ll need:
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Highlighting Kit/Bleach | There are tons of kits out there, but make sure it’s suited for dark hair. |
| Developer (20 or 30 vol) | Go for 20 for subtlety or 30 for bolder highlights. Nothing higher, please. |
| Hair clips | To section your hair. |
| Foil strips or Highlighting Hat | Foil gives cleaner lines; a cap gives a more blended look. |
| Mixing bowl + brush | You don’t wanna mix that bleach with your hands. Brush it on like a pro. |
| Gloves | Always. Please. Your hands will THANK you. |
| Purple Shampoo/Conditioner | To tone out brassiness after you’re done. |
| Old shirt + a towel | ‘Cause gurl, things can get messy. |
Grab all these goodies before you start. The last thing you want is to be sitting with bleach in your hair and realize you forgot something! 😩
Step 1: Your Game Plan (AKA Sectioning)
Okay, babes, let’s take a sec to talk about sectioning your hair. No matter what method you’re using—hat or foil—it’s super important to get this step crackin’. You’re gonna want to divide your hair into 4 sections: two in the front and two in the back. Trust me, sectioning will help you get even and precise highlights without missing any parts.
Pro-tip: Use hair clips to keep your sections up and out of your face, or you WILL end up with bleach in places you don’t want!
Once your hair’s all sectioned—you’re ready to start painting! 🎨
Step 2: Choose the Highlight Style (Balayage, Babylights, or Chunky? YOUR CHOICE.)
Now here’s the fun part. Style, like, totally depends on the ~vibe~ you’re going for. What kinda mood are you in? Let’s break it down:
Balayage
Okay, picture this: subtle, blended, “I-just-got-back-from-Malibu-beach” vibes. Balayage involves painting the bleach onto your hair in a very random, natural way. Girl, NO foil needed here! It’s just freehand artistry.
Babylights
If you wanna go super delicate, those tiny, teeny highlights are called babylights. This is perfect if you’re looking for “barely-there” highlights that look chic without screaming, “I dyed my hair!” Pro tip? Use a highlighting cap for the best results.
Chunky Highlights
Okay, so if Y2K vibes are more your thing and you want those bold as heck, in-your-face strands (think OG Xtina or Kelly Clarkson circa Since You’ve Been Gone), chunky highlights are where it’s at. These are huuuge strands of hair that get highlighted. They might feel more high-maintenance, but they’re straight-up ICONIC.
So which style are you about?? Choose now, because the technique kinda differs based on your pick!
Step 3: Mix the Bleach
Ready for the science action? Let’s mix up that mighty bleach! You’re gonna follow the instructions on your highlighting kit. Typically, it’s a 1:2 ratio of bleach powder to developer. If your hair is ~super~ dark, 30 volume developer will lift stronger; if your hair’s more on the medium dark brown side, 20 volume can do the trick. But NEVER jump straight to the 40 volume because, like, no one wants fried ramen noodle hair. 😳 Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
Always do a patch test beforehand. You wanna make sure your scalp and skin don’t freak out, okay?!
Whisk that bleach up until it’s a smooth consistency. It shouldn’t be drippy or lumpy.
Step 4: Start Painting!
Now, it’s showtime. If you’re doing foil highlights, grab small strands of hair from your section (I like to use the tail of a rat-tail comb for this) and paint the bleach mix on using the brush. Paint through, root to tip, and then fold the foil over to cover the painted strands. It takes a little practice, but you’ll feel like Edward Scissorhands once you get the hang of it—zooming through the sections!
If you’re feeling the balayage life, just take random chunks of your hair and lightly paint the bleach over the last few inches. Keep it super loose and natural. Balayage is ALL about imperfect perfection.
Don’t forget to leave some space near your roots for many styles—harsh lines are a no-go unless you’re going for a Risqué, major contrast. Keep it soft!
Repeat this section by section, until you’ve got all the highlights where you want them!
Step 5: Watch and WAIT
Here’s where it’s a little tricky. Depending on how light you want your highlights (and how dark your hair is), you’ll need to let that bleach sit from around 25 to 45 minutes. Check in every 10 to 15 minutes to see how things are lifting. Use your vibes! Bleach can look yellowish at first and that’s okay.
Also, it’s crucial that you’re kind to your hair during the process. Maybe throw on a TikTok video or binge Selling Sunset while you’re waiting (this’ll make the time fly)!
Step 6: Rinse It Out!
Once your timer goes off, it’s game-time again. You’ll rinse all that bleach out using warm—not hot—water. Be thorough so every bit of that bleach is washed out.
To avoid brassiness, it’s purple shampoo’s time to shine right after. Why purple? Well, purple cancels out yellow tones (‘cause color wheel vibes). You’ll wanna use this to help your blonde highlights keep their cooler tone. Also, use a super hydrating conditioner or mask afterward; bleaching can dry out your hair, and we aren’t going for scarecrow realness, honey.
Side note: It’s kinda extra to say, but give your hair some 💕 TLC. After all, bleach can be a little mean.
Step 7: Style & Flex Your New Look!
Oh. My. Gawd. Are we done already? YASSS! Now all that’s left is for you to dry and style your cute strands. Ideally, let your hair air dry, especially after coloring. Or use a heat protectant if you gotta blow-dry ‘cause safety first, girl!
Now take that new look for a spin. Snap some selfies, show off your new hair to the world and wait for the compliments to FLOOD in. I can guarantee people will be like, “OMG, who did your hair?!” And you’ll say, “Me. I did my own highlights like a boss.”
Some Pro Tips & FAQs!
How do I avoid blotchy hair?
The key? Sectioning and blending. I know it sounds repetitive, but sectioning prevents streaky or uneven highlights. And when applying the bleach, use that brush LIGHTLY. Heavy-handed bleach strokes can give you obvious lines and we’re not trying to throwback to ‘03.
Can I highlight hair that’s already been dyed?
Yes—but with caution. If you have colored hair already, the lift might not be the same or might take longer. If you’ve loaded your hair with pigments, you might need a color remover first. ALSO, don’t go wild with too much bleach if your hair’s already processed ‘cause hello, damage much?
Why does my hair go brassy?
Dark hair naturally has red and orange tones in it, so when you’re lifting with bleach, those tones can come out if not lifted enough. Using purple shampoo often stops brassiness.
Final Thoughts!
Babes, you’re officially armed and ready to highlight your DARK hair like a freakin’ pro—all from the comfort of your own mirror, no salon chair required. Seriously, doing your own highlights is totally doable, and you’ll save major 💰 in the process. Just take it slow, follow these tips, and you’re all set for that dreamy highlight life. Happy DIY-ing!
