When your natural hair color starts growing in after getting highlights, your hair can look brassy and grown out. Instead of getting your highlights touched up right away, you may want to consider coloring over them temporarily. There are a few effective ways to color hair that has highlights without completely covering up the dimension of your highlights.
Should you color over highlights?
Coloring over highlights can help blend regrowth and make highlights look fresh again. It’s a budget-friendly way to refresh your hair color in between salon visits. However, there are a few things to consider first:
- Coloring over highlights can result in a muddy or uneven color if not done properly
- Box dyes use harsh chemicals and may damage already highlighted hair
- Lightening highlighted hair further with drugstore dye is not recommended
- The results will not be as bright or defined as professional highlighting
If you want to add depth and richness back to highlights, using temporary color or toner is better than permanent hair dye. Or, embrace the grown out look until you can get back to the salon.
How to temporarily color highlights
Here are some simple options for temporarily coloring over highlights without completely covering them up:
Use a tinted shampoo or conditioner
Tinted hair products come in a variety of shades from platinum to black. They can tone down brassy highlights and blend regrowth. Some good options are:
- Clairol Shimmer Lights – reduces brassiness on blonde hair
- John Frieda Brilliant Brunette – counteracts orange tones on brown hair
- Overtone – offers custom color conditioner for bright color maintenance
These can be used daily or as needed to freshen up highlights between salon visits.
Try temporary or semi-permanent color
Some temporary, gradual color options to try:
- Rinses – last 1-2 shampoos
- Glamore or Colorista sprays – last 3-5 shampoos
- Semi-permanent color – lasts 4-6 weeks
These can add subtle color without fully covering highlights. Apply them just to the regrowth area to blend with highlights.
Use a toner or color-depositing mask
Toners and color masks deposit color without ammonia or bleach. They can neutralize brassiness and refresh faded highlights. Some options include:
- Wella Color Charm toners
- Schwarzkopf Keracolor gel
- MATRIX Total Results So Silver mask
- Celeb Luxury Viral Colorwash
Ask your stylist for a recommendation on the right toner shade to complement your highlights.
Permanently coloring over highlights
While not ideal, you can use permanent color to cover highlights completely. Here’s how to do it:
Choose the right shade
Pick a shade close to your natural or desired color. For best results, get a professional hair color consultation. Be aware that box dye rarely matches perfectly.
Do a strand test
Test the permanent color on a small hidden section of hair first. Make sure you like the color result before applying to your whole head.
Apply carefully
When applying the permanent color, focus on the regrowth area and mid-lengths first. Use a tinting brush to apply it precisely around highlights. Process for the full development time.
Use a toner
After coloring, use a toner on mid-lengths and ends to help neutralize brassiness and even out the color. A violet-based toner can help if the color looks too warm.
Deep condition
Be sure to use a good hydrating hair mask or treatment after coloring over highlights. Permanent color can be drying to already highlighted hair.
How long to wait between highlights
As a general rule, plan to get highlights touched up every 12-16 weeks. Here are some signs it’s definitely time for a refresh:
| When to Refresh Highlights | Time Between Appointments |
|---|---|
| Regrowth is over 1 inch | 12-14 weeks |
| Highlighted pieces look brassy or yellow | 14-16 weeks |
| Contrast between regrowth and highlights is very stark | 10-12 weeks |
| Highlights are faded and bland | 12-14 weeks |
Getting highlights touched up regularly will keep them looking fresh and multi-dimensional. Going too long between appointments can result in regrowth bands and color damage.
Maintaining highlights at home
Between salon visits, use a good hair care routine to keep highlights vibrant. Here are some tips:
- Use sulfate-free shampoo and cold water washes
- Apply conditioning mask 1-2 times per week
- Use leave-in conditioner and heat protectant
- Rinse with a citrus vinegar solution to seal cuticle
- Let hair air dry when possible to minimize heat damage
- Use a tinted shampoo/conditioner if needed
With proper maintenance, highlights can stay fresh and bright for months after getting them done initially.
Conclusion
If your highlights start to look brassy or grown out, don’t panic – you have options. Using temporary color products or toners can refresh them without damage. Permanent dye is more risky but can work if done carefully. To maintain nice highlights, focus on hydration, limiting heat styling, and toning when needed. Get them touched up every 12-16 weeks to keep your hair dimensional and beautiful.