If you’re looking to change up your look and add a bit of colour, highlights are a great choice. However, if you have afro hair, there are a few things to consider before heading to the salon.

Afro hair is known as the weakest texture of hair, due to the flatter oval shape of the hair shaft. This doesn’t mean you can’t highlight your hair though, it just requires some extra care to minimise permanent hair damage.

Here is our guide of everything you need to know before highlighting your afro hair.

Decide on the look you want to go for 

Before you go to the salon, we recommend having a good idea of the look you want to go for. This will help you when briefing your stylist and ensures you are more likely to achieve your desired look.

Searching for ‘Afro highlights’ on Pinterest and Instagram is a great place to look for inspiration.

Don’t lighten the hair too drastically 

It’s important to note that if you want to go much lighter, this should not be done all at once. It is much less damaging to gradually add lighter tones into the hair.

This is also a great way of getting used to your hair being lighter and deciding if you like it.  Once you go lighter, it will be harder to get back to your original colour.

Consider if you’ve had other chemical treatments

Another thing to consider is whether you’ve had any chemical treatments on your hair. If you have had your hair chemically straightened then you’re already more vulnerable to damage and breakage.

This also applies if you regularly use straighteners or tongs as this can also cause damage over time. When you attend a consultation with your stylist, they will assess your hair and will tell you if they think it’s in good enough condition.

Pick a good stylist 

When it comes to getting highlights, we know you’ll want to ensure you pick a stylist you can rely on. Our stylists at Strand & Lock are experts in all hair types and will give you a free consultation to talk through the look you want to go for and the colours that will work best.

As an Aveda salon, we use the Aveda Colour range which is both natural and works to minimise hair damage. When used in conjunction with the appropriate at-home products, the vibrance of your highlights will also last longer.

Take care of your highlighted hair 

When you colour your hair, it’s important to have the right products to both preserve the colour and reduce damage. As with all coloured hair, you should avoid washing your hair daily as this can cause the hair to become dry and brittle and can cause lighter tones to become brassy.

To help preserve the vibrance of your highlights, we recommend using Aveda’s Color Conserve™ Shampoo which keeps your colour vibrant and protects hair from damage. If you are suffering from brassy tones, we also love Aveda’s Blue Malva Shampoo.

You should then follow up with a nourishing conditioner. Aveda’s Nutriplenish™ Deep Moisture Conditioner will give highlighted afro hair some much-needed moisture replenishment with nutrient-powered hydration.

We also recommend using a leave-in conditioner such as Aveda’s Nutriplenish™ Leave-In Conditioner to detangle the hair and protect it from any heat you apply to your hair.

Highlights at Strand & Lock

At Strand & Lock, we harness the power of nature and London’s best stylists to give you great hair. We don’t compromise and don’t take shortcuts because you deserve only the very best.

If you’re interested in getting highlights, our stylists will give you a free consultation to assess your hair’s condition and identify the colours you want to go for.

Find out more about the services we offer or book your appointment with us!