Highlights are a stunning way to add contrast and depth to the hair, creating a natural, sun-kissed effect without requiring an all-over dye job. But once you’ve stepped out of the salon, you might find yourself wondering: how long do highlights last, and when should you plan your next appointment? Ahead, we’re answering some of the most pressing highlighting questions, including how often you should get your hair highlighted and how to keep those sunny streaks looking fresh between salon visits. Keep scrolling for all that—and more.
How Long Do Hair Highlights Last?
How long highlights last depends on a few factors, including how quickly your hair grows and your chosen highlighting technique and color. Generally speaking, highlights can last anywhere from 8-12 weeks before needing a color refresh or a root touch-up. As mentioned, this window can fluctuate based on the coloring method your stylist uses. Partial foil highlights or balayage, for example, can last up to three months. This is because they are usually placed throughout the mid-lengths to ends of your hair and can look quite natural as your hair grows out. Full highlights, on the other hand, may require more frequent touch-ups (about every 6-8 weeks) as your hair grows since they go all the way to the root.
Your chosen highlight color can also dictate the longevity of your look. For instance, how long blonde highlights last can differ from how long other hues last. All highlights will grow out at the same rate, with root regrowth usually becoming noticeable after about 6-8 weeks. But you also have to consider fading, and some shades will lose their vibrancy faster than others. Cooler tones like ash or platinum blonde may need a refresh sooner than their warmer counterparts (think honey or caramel) when the toner starts to wear off and reveal underlying pigment in the hair. Darker or more subtle highlights can last longer because the contrast between the highlights and natural hair is less noticeable.
Good hair day by @bobbiepiins.
Do Highlights Get Lighter After a Few Washes?
In some cases, highlights can get lighter after a few washes and fade over time. Several factors can influence how long it takes highlights to fade, such as the type of shampoo you use, sun exposure, whether or not you have hard water in your shower pipes, and the porosity of your hair. Washing your hair only as often as you need to and incorporating color-safe products into your haircare routine can help keep your highlights looking fresh in between salon appointments—more on those soon.
Do Highlights Fade Back to Your Natural Color?
In terms of your highlights fading, you may be curious as to whether highlights will fade back to your natural color or into another color entirely. Since highlights are created by lifting or bleaching the natural pigments in your hair, which permanently alters the color, the lightened hair won't return to its natural color. Instead, the highlights may become dull, brassy, or a lighter version of the treated color.
Good hair day by @looksbylacie.
How Often Should You Get Your Hair Highlighted?
How long do highlights last, and how often should you get them redone? The truth is that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. Even if your highlights are fading or growing out, determining whether they need to be redone is a matter of personal preference and budget. Some people like a more lived-in look and don’t mind rocking a grungy, grown-out root to save a few bucks. That’s in contrast to those who prefer keeping their color topped off. If that’s the case, your hair growth schedule will likely determine when you need to pencil in a salon appointment. Broadly speaking, if your hair grows quickly, you may require touch-ups every six weeks. If it grows slowly, you may be able to wait up to 12 weeks.
Good hair day by @beautyaffair.amsterdam.
How To Care for Highlighted Hair
How you care for your highlighted hair dramatically affects how long the highlights last. Here are five ways to care for your highlighted hair to get the most mileage possible after your next salon visit.
Avoid frequent washing
Frequent washing can strip the hair of natural oils and cause the color to fade more quickly. This is the case with most salon colors, but it’s especially true for highlighted hair since lighter shades are more prone to losing their vibrancy. Try to wash your mane about 2-3 times per week in lukewarm water to help preserve your color. If you need to absorb oil between washes, reach for a dry shampoo like Redken Deep Clean Dry Shampoo to help refresh up to fourth-day strands.
When washing, it’s best to opt for a color-safe shampoo, like Biolage Professional Color Last Shampoo, followed by the Biolage Professional Color Last Conditioner, to retain color for up to nine weeks. You can also use a hydrating hair mask like Shu Uemura Art of Hair Color Protecting Mask every few washes to help promote long-lasting color in medium to thick hair types.
Limit heat styling
Heat styling is often the secret to making your locks look shiny and straight or getting beautiful, bouncy curls. But the more you do it, the harsher it can be on your hair, especially when you have color-treated or highlighted hair. Highlighted hair is more fragile and prone to damage, so it’s best to let it air dry or gently towel dry whenever possible. Try to limit heat styling to once or twice a week to give your hair time to recover.
If you must use heat, opt for lower heat settings when styling, and avoid using the highest temperature, even if you’re in a rush. You should also prep your hair with a good heat protectant beforehand. We’re partial to the L'Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox Smoothing Cream, which helps protect against harsh metals, UV rays, and heat from styling tools up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
Trim regularly
The lighter your highlights, the more bleach your colorist will need to use to achieve your desired shade. It’s important to note that bleach will always cause some damage, which can make your hair more prone to split ends and breakage. We recommend visiting your stylist for regular trims every 6-8 weeks (or whenever you get your highlights refreshed) to help keep your hair looking healthy and prevent damage from spreading up the hair shaft.
Try toning
Blonde highlights are particularly susceptible to developing yellow or orange undertones, especially after overwashing or excess sun exposure. Fortunately, in-salon toning treatments can help extend the life of your blonde highlights and keep warm undertones at bay. If your highlights start to look brassy or lose their vibrancy, visit your stylist for a hair gloss. This type of toning treatment helps refresh your hair color by neutralizing unwanted undertones, giving you a cooler, more balanced blonde.
There are also at-home products you can use to temporarily restore cool tones to your highlights—namely, toning shampoo. A toning shampoo is a type of haircare formula made with vivid pigments (typically blue or purple) that help counteract orange and yellow tones in the hair. Those with brassy yellow highlights can scoop up a violet shampoo like Redken Blondage Shampoo, while those with brassy orange tones can try a cobalt option, such as Matrix Brass Off Shampoo.
Practice gentle styling
If you tend to tug at your hair when brushing it or roughly rub it when towel drying, it’s time to rethink these habits. Try to be more gentle when brushing or detangling, especially when your hair is wet. That’s when your hair is at its most fragile, and highlighted hair can be particularly prone to breakage. Use a wide-tooth comb or a brush specially made for wet hair to help reduce damage. You can also blot hair with a microfiber towel or a cotton T-shirt after washing it to help minimize the friction that contributes to frizz and breakage.
Next Up: Partial Highlights Are the Subtle Change Your Hair Is Begging For
Header photo credits (left to right): @bobbiepiins, @lorealpro, and @beautyaffair.amsterdam
If you’re in need of a touch-up (or ready to try highlights for the first time), use our salon locator to book an appointment with a pro in your area.
