Master Babylights for Dimension: Expert Styling and Advice

We’ve all admired those soft, subtle highlights in children’s hair—the ones that resemble carefree days spent by the beach rather than hours in a salon chair. Luckily, we have the tips and techniques to recreate those sought-after babylights, and they’re low-maintenance!

 

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Una publicación compartida de MELBOURNE CREATIVE HAIR STUDIO (@beatnikstudio.melb)

The Art of Babylights

Stylists know that babylights are not a new technique but have recently become the go-to solution for that ‘You look fantastic, have you been on vacation?’ look.

This finely-tuned color technique skillfully replicates the blonde or lighter tones that grace your clients hair when touched by the sun. Whether your client’s hair is short or long, curly or straight, and no matter the original color, babylights prove to be a universal enhancement. 

Babylights are ideal for those seeking lifted color and an infusion of dimension. They can deliver a soft, radiant, and glossy finish with unmatched low maintenance. What sets babylights apart is their adaptability; these delicate highlights seamlessly merge with your client’s existing tones. The outcome is sun-kissed hair that looks almost effortless. 

 

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Una publicación compartida de Szymon Kruczkowski | Blond koloryzacja | Air touch (@szymonkruhair)

Benefits of Babylights

We all love Balayage but babylights are another great option when it comes to color techniques! Remember, mixing techniques can create a personalized color look. In case your clients need a gentle nudge toward this less-trendy but equally stunning technique, here are some pros about opting for babylights:    

1. Natural Look: These subtle highlights mimic the effects of sunlight and create an incredibly natural appearance. For best results, keep the weaves ultra-fine. As a general guide, the finer and further apart you go with each foil, the more dimension and the lower maintenance the color will be. We recommend leaving approximately 1 cm of natural color between each weave. Ensure you assess the hair density of each section, so you can place the color in a balanced way, rather than just completing a uniform weave.
2. Low Maintenance: Since the highlights are so delicate, regrowth is less noticeable for your clients. This means that a touch up can be done every 12 weeks or more, making babylights a low-maintenance option.
3. Versatility: Babylights can be customized to suit any hair color or style, whether your clients have blonde, brunette, red, copper or a fashion color. The technique will ensure the color pops just enough to add dimension.
4. Soft Transition: The gradual transition between your client’s base color and the highlights results in a soft and seamless blend.
5. Dimension and Depth: Babylights add depth to your client’s hair, helping it look fuller by adding dimension and vibrancy.

 

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Una publicación compartida de Rio Revlon (@rioatrevlonprofessional)

Creating Babylights Step-by-Step

Creating babylights is an art that requires precision and an understanding of the hair and how it falls. As this technique involves strategically placing ultra-fine highlights throughout your client’s hair to mimic that  sun-kissed glow, the key is subtlety. When it comes to babylights, less is more. Go finer around the hairline and, if the client wishes to balance the color, recommend a full head of color and ensure you add more throughout the crown and back where the hair isn’t exposed to light and can look flat. Here are some key aspects of the technique:

1. Consultation: Discuss your client’s desired outcome, hair history, and maintenance (take a look here for the perfect Helix Hair Color Consultation by Revlon Professional®). Remember to recommend tones that will complement your client’s natural or colored base shade staying with colors that are 1 to 4 levels lighter within the same color family (ideally warm tones with warmer base colors and cool tones with colder bases). This tip helps keep the look on the natural side, regardless of the colors chosen.
2. Sectioning: This technique can be a partial, half head, or full. Naturally lighter bases (7 and above) tend to need fewer foils and touch ups, especially in the summer months. Get creative but ensure precise placement of highlights.
3. Weaving and Painting: Fine strands of hair are delicately woven and painted, often utilizing foil to maintain precise sections.
4. Processing: Ensure you lift the hair to the optimum undertone to achieve the client’s desired result. Because the sections are very fine, the hair will likely lift quickly so check it often! If your client has a natural base, then consider using a high lift product or permanent color to lift rather than a pre-lightener.
5. Toning: After washing out your chosen color or lightener, tone the hair to create the desired shade. We recommend Color Excel, a new generation of professional, ultra-performing and caring tone-on-tone color. Discover two technologies in alkaline and acidic coloration, the ultimate demo duo for infinite service possibilities.
6. Styling: Once the babylights are complete, style your client’s hair to showcase the full effect and remember to recommend personalized care and styling products such as RE/START™ Color Protective Micellar Shampoo. This is perfect for clients with colored or color-damaged hair who want to protect and maintain their color and keep it radiant between salon visits. You can also recommend heat protection products like Style Masters™ Smooth Iron Guard™ if needed.

To discover more about color techniques and tips, head to our 24/7 educational platform, #AlwaysOn (for clients only, so click the link to become one). You can also shop our entire product range by heading to our online Revlon ProShop.