Hair color · Belltown, Seattle, WA

Highlights

Foiled, multi-dimensional brightness, from full highlights to a face-framing touch.

Stylist point cutting long straight blonde hair at a station at The Collage Salon in Seattle, WA

Highlights are foiled strands of lighter color woven through your hair for multi-dimensional brightness. Full and partial highlights each include one gloss to fine-tune tone and shine. The Collage Salon offers highlights in Belltown, Seattle, from a full head of foils to a face frame and pony detail that brightens the hair around your face and ponytail line.

Who are highlights for?

Highlights suit anyone who wants brightness with structure. Because each section is placed in foil, your stylist can control exactly where lightness lands, from fine, delicate pieces to bolder contrast. Your stylist will match the size and spacing of the pieces to the look you want. They work on blonde, brown and many darker bases.

Full highlights place foils throughout your whole head for even, all-around dimension. Partial highlights focus on the top and sides, where light naturally hits, and suit you if you want a softer change or a refresh between full appointments.

The face frame and pony detail is the smallest option. It brightens the pieces around your face and along your ponytail line, so you look brighter whether your hair is up or down. It is also an easy way to try highlights for the first time.

What happens at your highlights appointment

  • 1. Consultation

    Your stylist talks through how bright you want to go, how much contrast you like and where you wear your part. They check your natural color, past color and the condition of your ends, then choose full, partial or face frame placement.

  • 2. Sectioning and foils

    Your hair is sectioned, and thin slices or weaves are painted with lightener or color and folded into foil. The foil keeps product on just those strands and holds in warmth, which helps the color lift evenly. Placement follows your part and the way you wear your hair.

  • 3. Processing and rinse

    The highlights process while your stylist checks the lift section by section. You can relax with herbal tea while you wait. When the color reaches the right level, the foils come out and your hair is rinsed and gently shampooed, ready for your gloss.

  • 4. Gloss and finish

    Full and partial highlights include one gloss, applied to refine tone, soften brassiness and add shine. Your stylist then shows you the result and talks you through home care, plus when to come back so your highlights stay bright and blended between visits.

How often should you refresh highlights?

Highlights show new growth sooner than balayage because foils usually start closer to the root. If you like a crisp, bright look, you will want to come back sooner. If you prefer a softer grow-out, ask your stylist to blend the placement at the root.

Some people alternate between full and partial highlights. A partial refreshes the areas you see most, then a full brings the whole head back into balance. That rhythm spreads out the work and keeps your color even.

A face frame and pony detail can keep things bright between bigger appointments. Your stylist will suggest a schedule based on your hair and your budget. Ask about it at the end of each visit.

How do you keep highlights from turning brassy?

Brassiness shows up when the warm undertones in lightened hair come through as toner fades. Sun, hard water, chlorine and heat styling all speed this up. Lightened hair is also more porous, so it picks up tone from water and products more easily.

Use a purple or blue toning shampoo as often as your stylist suggests, and a gentle color-safe shampoo the rest of the time. Wear a hat in strong sun, and use heat protection before blow drying or ironing.

A gloss is the in-salon fix. Full and partial highlights already include one, and your stylist can tell you when a fresh gloss makes sense. Ask about products from Oribe, Kevin Murphy, La Biosthetique and Hairstory on our retail shelves.

Highlights or balayage: which should you choose?

Highlights use foils for more control, brightness and lift, with a defined pattern that starts near the root. Balayage is painted by hand for a sweeping, sun-kissed look that grows out more softly. If you want brighter, more even dimension all over, highlights are usually the way. Bring photos of both looks you like to compare at your consultation.

Listed prices are starting prices, and your final price depends on your hair's length, density and texture. See current pricing on our service menu. Not sure? Book a free consultation, or pick a stylist from our team whose color work you like. We ask for a full day's notice if you need to cancel or reschedule, and a cancellation fee may apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between full and partial highlights?

Full highlights place foils throughout your whole head for even dimension. Partial highlights focus on the top and sides, where light naturally hits, for a softer change. Both include one gloss. If you often wear your hair up, full highlights give brightness wherever it falls.

What is a face frame and pony detail?

It is a small highlight service that brightens the hair around your face and along your ponytail line. It adds lift where people notice it most, and it shows when your hair is up. It works well between bigger appointments or as a first try.

Can I get highlights on dark hair?

Yes, and the result depends on your natural color, past color and hair condition. Dark hair often shows warm tones as it lightens, which the included gloss helps refine. Your stylist will be clear about how light it makes sense to go in one visit.

Will highlights make my hair feel dry?

Any lightening changes the hair's structure, so some dryness is normal, especially on fine or previously lightened hair. Your stylist checks your hair's condition at the consultation and may suggest a bond building add-on or a conditioning treatment. Gentle shampoo and heat protection at home help too.

Can I get highlights and a haircut on the same day?

Yes, highlights and a haircut can be booked together. Color usually comes first, so the cut can clean up your ends and show off the placement. Mention both services when you book, and your stylist will tell you how long to plan for.

Glass storefront of The Collage Salon lit up at night in Belltown, Seattle, WA

Book Your Highlights

“...listened carefully to what I wanted, and highlighted my hair exactly as I had described. She also conditioned it in a way that my hair feels so soft and healthy afterwards!”
Karen S., verified client review

Book Now online for highlights at our Belltown salon, or start with a free consultation. Prefer a softer grow-out? See balayage. Going much lighter? Read about blonde and lightening. You can also check current pricing on our service menu.

On our service menu: Full Highlight, Partial Highlight, Face Frame / Pony Detail, Partial Highlight and Haircut, Full Highlight and Haircut, Color and Partial Highlight, Color and Full Highlight, Color, Full Highlight and Haircut, Color, Partial Highlight and Haircut.

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