Highlights Guide: Hairdressing & Hair Colouring

Highlights Explained: Which Style Suits You Best?

If you’ve ever looked at a hairdressing price list and wondered which type of highlights to book, you’re not alone. With options like full head foils, babylights, half head highlights and the money piece, it can feel confusing. The good news is, once you understand what each service does—and how colour or toner fits in—you can pick a look that’s flattering, wearable and easy to maintain.

Full head foils

Choose a full head of foils when you want maximum brightness and even lift from nape to hairline. Foils are placed throughout the whole head, so the result is consistent and high-impact. If you love a lighter overall look or often wear your hair up, this gives you that bright, seamless finish everywhere. For extra dimension, your stylist can apply a full head colour or a semi-permanent shade between the foils. That contrast makes the lighter pieces pop while keeping the overall colour rich and glossy. Permanent colour gives long-lasting lift; semi adds shine with softer commitment.

Babylights

Think of babylights as the most delicate version of highlights—super fine sections that mimic natural, sun-kissed hair. If you want a polished, believable glow rather than a dramatic change, babylights are ideal. They blend beautifully with your base, grow out softly and look expensive without screaming “fresh from the salon.” A toner or semi-permanent gloss afterwards fine-tunes the shade—cool, warm or neutral—and adds that glassy shine. If your hair is finer, babylights create dimension without looking stripey or heavy.

Half head highlights

A half head focuses on the parts you see most when your hair is down: the crown, top layers and sides. It’s quicker than a full head and brilliant for keeping your colour fresh between bigger services. If you want a noticeable lift around your face and parting, but don’t need the underneath coloured every time, this is for you. You can alternate appointments—half head, then full head—to keep brightness balanced while looking after hair health and budget. Toner or semi-permanent gloss is often used at the bowl to smooth everything together and control warmth.

The money piece

The money piece is the face-framing lightness you spot instantly in photos. It brings brightness to your features and works on almost everyone. Book it when you want a quick refresh or a “mini makeover” without a full colour session. Your stylist will refine the tone with a semi or toner so it sits perfectly with your skin tone—icy and cool, creamy and soft, or golden and glowy. It’s also a great way to stretch time between highlight appointments while still feeling bright at the front.

How colour and toner complete the look

Highlights really come to life when they’re paired with the right background tone. Applying full head colour or semi-permanent colour between the foils adds depth, richness and balance so your blonde or lighter pieces stand out in a flattering way. Toners are the final polish: they banish brassiness, control warmth and add mirror-like shine. If you like changing your tone seasonally—cooler in winter, warmer in summer—your toner is where that magic happens.

Choosing what to book

If you want a bold transformation and even lightness from root to tip, go for a full head of foils—especially with a contrasting colour between foils to make the result multidimensional. If you’re after subtle, soft brightness and a gentle grow-out, babylights will feel effortless. If you need a tidy refresh without the full commitment, a half head keeps you bright where it counts. And if you just want your face to light up, a money piece is quick, flattering and low-maintenance.

Aftercare to keep your colour looking “new”

Good home care keeps your highlights glossy for longer. Use sulphate-free shampoo, heat protection and a weekly mask, and book a toner or gloss in between bigger colour visits to keep the finish refined. Your stylist will map out how often you’ll need maintenance based on your cut, texture and lifestyle, so your colour looks great in real life—not just on day one.

Ready to pick your highlights? Bring a couple of reference photos, tell us how you style your hair day to day, and we’ll help you choose the mix of foils, money piece and gloss that fits your routine, budget and vibe.