How to Hide Outgrown Highlights: A Comprehensive Guide

Highlights are a fantastic way to add dimension, brightness, and style to your hair. However, the joy of freshly highlighted hair can fade as your roots begin to show, creating a noticeable contrast between your natural hair color and the highlighted strands. This can lead to an outgrown, sometimes even unintentional ombre effect, that may not be the look you’re aiming for.

But don’t worry! You don’t have to live with visible roots or rush to the salon every few weeks. There are several effective strategies you can use to seamlessly hide outgrown highlights and extend the life of your color. This comprehensive guide will explore various techniques, from temporary fixes to more permanent solutions, helping you maintain a flawless look while giving your hair (and wallet) a break.

Table of Contents

Understanding the Problem: Why Highlights Look Outgrown

Before diving into solutions, it’s crucial to understand why highlights become so noticeable as they grow out. The main culprit is the contrast between your natural root color and the lighter highlighted strands. The greater the contrast, the more obvious the regrowth will be.

Factors influencing the visibility of outgrown highlights include:

The shade difference: Highlights that are several shades lighter than your natural hair color will create a more pronounced line of demarcation.
Placement of highlights: Highlights placed close to the scalp will show regrowth more quickly than those strategically placed further down the hair shaft.
Hair growth rate: Naturally, faster hair growth means you’ll see those roots sooner.
Hair texture: Fine, straight hair tends to show regrowth more clearly than thick, textured hair, as the texture can help to blend the root line.
Overall hair health: Damaged or dry hair can make the color appear duller, emphasizing the contrast.

Temporary Solutions: Quick Fixes for Visible Roots

When you need a quick fix to camouflage outgrown highlights, several temporary solutions can come to the rescue. These options are perfect for special occasions, photo shoots, or simply when you want to feel more confident about your hair.

Root Concealer Sprays and Powders

Root concealer sprays and powders are designed specifically to cover up gray hair and blend in with your existing hair color. However, they work equally well for concealing outgrown highlights.

Application: These products are incredibly easy to use. Simply spray or dab the concealer directly onto your roots, focusing on the most visible areas.
Color matching: Choose a shade that closely matches your base hair color for the most natural-looking result.
Longevity: Root concealers are temporary and will wash out with your next shampoo.
Types: Both spray and powder formulas are available. Sprays tend to offer more coverage, while powders are great for precision application.

Root Touch-Up Sticks and Mascaras

Similar to root concealers, touch-up sticks and mascaras offer targeted coverage for smaller areas of regrowth. These are excellent for concealing stray strands of gray hair along the hairline and also effective to covering a few outgrown highlights near your part.

Precision: These products allow for precise application, making them ideal for covering small areas of regrowth.
Portability: Touch-up sticks and mascaras are compact and travel-friendly, making them convenient for on-the-go touch-ups.
Application: Apply the product directly to the roots using short, even strokes.
Considerations: Similar to sprays and powders, ensure you choose the correct shade to blend with your base color seamlessly.

Colored Dry Shampoo

Dry shampoo is a staple for many, absorbing excess oil and refreshing the hair between washes. Colored dry shampoo adds an extra benefit by depositing a hint of color that helps to blend roots with highlights.

Functionality: It absorbs oil and adds color simultaneously.
Application: Spray the colored dry shampoo onto your roots, holding the can several inches away from your head.
Color Selection: As with other temporary solutions, selecting a shade close to your base hair color is crucial for a seamless blend.
Benefits: Besides hiding roots, it also adds volume and texture to your hair.

Hairstyling Tricks to Disguise Roots

Sometimes, the best way to hide outgrown highlights is with a clever hairstyle. Strategic styling can help to minimize the appearance of roots and create a more balanced look.

Change your part: Switching your part can instantly conceal roots. Try a deeper side part or a zig-zag part to disrupt the visible line of demarcation.
Add volume: Voluminous hairstyles help to lift the hair away from the scalp, making roots less noticeable. Use volumizing products or try teasing your hair at the crown.
Textured styles: Waves and curls create movement and texture, which can help to blend roots with highlights. Use a curling iron, wand, or texturizing spray to achieve a tousled look.
Braids and updos: Braids and updos can strategically conceal roots by redirecting the hair and creating visual interest. Experiment with different braiding techniques or try a messy bun or chignon.
Accessories: Headbands, scarves, and hats are stylish accessories that can completely cover your roots. Choose accessories that complement your outfit and personal style.

Semi-Permanent and Permanent Solutions: Longer-Lasting Options

While temporary solutions offer immediate relief, semi-permanent and permanent options provide a more long-lasting way to address outgrown highlights. These solutions require more commitment but deliver more satisfying results.

Root Smudging or Shadow Root

Root smudging, also known as shadow root, is a coloring technique that intentionally blends the roots with the highlights, creating a seamless transition and minimizing the appearance of regrowth. This technique involves applying a color that’s close to your natural hair color to the roots, then feathering it down to blend with the highlights.

Purpose: Creates a soft, blended root, reducing the harsh line of demarcation as the hair grows.
Process: A professional colorist applies a demi-permanent or semi-permanent color to the roots, carefully blending it with the existing highlights.
Benefits: Extends the time between highlight appointments and offers a more natural-looking grow-out.
Maintenance: The smudge may need to be refreshed every few months, depending on your hair growth and the color used.

Lowlights

Adding lowlights, which are strands of hair colored darker than your highlights but lighter than your natural hair color, can create depth and dimension while blending the highlights with the roots.

Function: Incorporates darker strands to diminish the contrast between your natural hair and the highlighted sections.
Placement: Strategically placed lowlights help to break up the line of demarcation and create a more natural, blended look.
Benefits: Adds depth and dimension, blends highlights with roots, and reduces the overall maintenance of your highlights.
Considerations: Consult with a colorist to determine the best shade and placement of lowlights for your hair.

Balayage or Ombre

Balayage and ombre are coloring techniques that involve a gradual transition from darker roots to lighter ends. These techniques are designed to be low-maintenance and allow for a more natural-looking grow-out.

Balayage: A hand-painted highlighting technique that creates soft, natural-looking highlights.
Ombre: A more dramatic color transition from dark roots to light ends.
Benefits: Low maintenance, natural-looking grow-out, and less noticeable roots.
Considerations: While balayage and ombre offer low-maintenance color, they may still require occasional touch-ups to maintain the desired effect.

Toning Down Highlights

If your highlights are too bright or brassy, toning them down can make the contrast with your roots less noticeable. A toner is a semi-permanent color that can neutralize unwanted tones and create a more balanced color.

Function: Corrects unwanted brassy or yellow tones in highlights.
Process: A toner is applied to the highlighted strands to neutralize the unwanted tones and create a more balanced color.
Benefits: Reduces the contrast between highlights and roots, creates a more natural-looking color, and adds shine.
Maintenance: Toners typically last for several weeks and may need to be reapplied to maintain the desired color.

All-Over Color

In some cases, the best solution may be to dye your hair an all-over color that is close to your natural hair color. This will effectively cover the highlights and create a uniform base.

Purpose: To create a uniform base and eliminate the contrast of the outgrown highlights.
Process: Applying a single color that is near to your natural shade, completely covering the highlights.
Benefits: Eliminates obvious roots, results in a consistent color base, and simpler to manage and style.
Considerations: It will take away the highlight effect and need consistent root touch-ups as new hair grows out.

Tips for Maintaining Healthy Hair While Hiding Highlights

While concealing or blending outgrown highlights, it’s important to prioritize the health of your hair. Coloring processes can be damaging, so it’s essential to incorporate a hair care routine that nourishes and protects your strands.

Use color-safe shampoo and conditioner: These products are formulated to gently cleanse the hair without stripping away color.
Deep condition regularly: Deep conditioning treatments help to replenish moisture and repair damage caused by coloring.
Avoid excessive heat styling: Heat styling can further damage colored hair, so try to limit your use of heat tools and always use a heat protectant spray.
Protect your hair from the sun: UV rays can fade hair color and cause damage, so wear a hat or use a UV protectant spray when spending time outdoors.
Get regular trims: Trimming your hair every 6-8 weeks helps to remove split ends and prevent breakage, keeping your hair healthy and strong.
Stay hydrated and eat a balanced diet: Healthy hair starts from within, so drink plenty of water and eat a diet rich in vitamins and minerals.

Ultimately, choosing the best strategy for hiding outgrown highlights depends on your hair type, color, budget, and desired level of maintenance. Experiment with different temporary and permanent solutions to find what works best for you. And don’t hesitate to consult with a professional colorist for personalized advice and expert techniques. With the right approach, you can keep your hair looking flawless, even when your roots start to show.

No matter what method you choose, remember that patience and proper hair care are key to achieving beautiful, healthy-looking hair.

What are the first signs that my highlights need to be addressed, and how can I tell if they’re truly “outgrown?”

The most obvious sign your highlights are outgrown is the appearance of a noticeable band of your natural hair color at the roots. This creates a distinct contrast between the highlighted strands and your base color, especially if your natural hair is significantly different in shade. You might also notice a general lack of vibrancy or dimension, as the highlights are further away from your scalp and no longer frame your face as effectively.

Additionally, consider the overall condition of your hair. Outgrown highlights can sometimes lead to uneven tone and increased dryness, particularly if the highlights were initially quite light. Assessing the level of contrast at your roots, coupled with any changes in your hair’s texture and vibrancy, will help you determine if it’s time to address your outgrown highlights.

Can I simply dye my entire head with my natural color to cover the highlights?

While dyeing your entire head with your natural color seems like a quick fix, it’s not always the best solution. It can create a flat, one-dimensional color that lacks depth and can potentially damage your hair, especially if it’s already been lightened. The color you choose may also not perfectly match your natural shade, resulting in an uneven or muddy appearance.

Instead of a single-process dye, consider consulting with a stylist about lowlights, root smudging, or a color-melting technique. These methods can help blend the highlights seamlessly with your natural color, creating a more natural and dimensional look as your hair grows out. A professional can also ensure the color is applied evenly and without causing unnecessary damage.

What are some temporary solutions for hiding outgrown highlights between salon visits?

For a quick and temporary fix, tinted dry shampoos that match your root color can be incredibly effective. These products deposit pigment onto your roots, camouflaging the contrast between your natural color and the highlights. Another great option is root touch-up sprays or powders, specifically designed to cover gray hairs and blend in with your existing hair color.

Hair accessories like headbands, scarves, and hats are also excellent for concealing your roots, especially if you are going for a more casual look. Strategic styling, such as parting your hair differently or creating textured waves, can also help distract from the root line. These are temporary solutions that buy you time before a more permanent fix is needed.

How does root smudging or root shadowing work, and is it a good option for outgrown highlights?

Root smudging, also known as root shadowing, is a coloring technique that blends your natural root color with your existing highlights. It involves applying a color that is close to your natural shade to the roots and feathering it down slightly, creating a soft transition between the two colors. This eliminates the harsh line of demarcation that often comes with outgrown highlights.

This technique is an excellent option for dealing with outgrown highlights because it creates a more natural and low-maintenance look. It allows your highlights to grow out more gracefully, requiring less frequent touch-ups. Root smudging also adds dimension and depth to your hair, preventing it from looking flat or one-dimensional.

Are there any specific hairstyles that can help disguise outgrown highlights?

Yes, certain hairstyles are particularly effective at concealing outgrown highlights. Styles that involve texture and movement, such as waves, curls, and braids, are excellent for disrupting the harsh line of demarcation at the roots. These styles create visual interest and distract the eye from the contrasting colors.

Also, hairstyles with a side part or a messy bun can strategically cover the roots. A deep side part will shift the focus away from the roots, while a messy bun can conceal the roots entirely. Experimenting with different hairstyles and textures can help you find what works best for your hair type and color, allowing you to disguise outgrown highlights until you can get to the salon.

What products are best to use to maintain blended highlights, so they grow out nicely?

To maintain blended highlights and promote healthy hair growth, prioritize using sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners. Sulfates can strip your hair of its natural oils, causing dryness and fading the color of your highlights. Hydrating masks and leave-in conditioners will help keep your hair moisturized and prevent breakage.

Furthermore, use heat protectant sprays before using any hot styling tools, such as curling irons or straighteners. Excessive heat can damage your hair and cause the highlights to become brittle and fade. Regular trims will also help remove split ends and keep your hair looking healthy, allowing for a more even grow-out of your highlights.

When should I seek professional help to fix outgrown highlights, and what should I expect from a salon appointment?

It’s best to seek professional help when you’re uncomfortable with the appearance of your outgrown highlights, or if you’re unsure how to fix them yourself. This is particularly important if you’re considering a significant color change or have heavily processed hair. Trying to correct the color yourself could lead to uneven results, damage, or unwanted tones.

During a salon appointment, be prepared to discuss your hair goals and concerns with your stylist. They will assess your hair’s condition, discuss the best approach to blend or correct the highlights, and provide a customized solution based on your hair type, color, and overall style. Expect the stylist to use professional-grade products and techniques to achieve the desired result, while minimizing damage to your hair.