Whether you're looking to brighten up your look with blonde highlights, add warmth to your brunette hair, or experiment with something completely new, getting highlights at one of NYC's top salons can be an exciting transformation. If you're considering highlights and wondering what to expect during the process, you're in the right place. At Venelle Salon and Spa in Park Slope, Brooklyn, we specialize in delivering top-tier highlighting services tailored to your unique style and hair type.

Here’s what you can expect when getting highlights at one of the best salons in New York City:

1. Personalized Consultation with Expert Colorists

Before any highlights are applied, your journey at a top NYC salon begins with a consultation with an expert colorist. This is an essential step that ensures your highlighting experience is personalized and suited to your hair’s needs and your desired outcome.

• Discuss Your Hair Goals: During the consultation, you’ll have the chance to share your hair goals with the colorist. Whether you’re looking for soft balayage highlights, bold blonde streaks, or a sunkissed effect, the colorist will listen to your preferences and offer professional recommendations.

• Assessing Hair Type and Condition: An experienced colorist will assess your hair texture, porosity, and current color to determine the best technique for you. Fine hair may require different highlighting techniques than thicker hair or curly hair, and they will ensure your highlights suit your natural hair structure.

• Choosing the Right Shade: Expect your colorist to help you choose the perfect highlighting shade based on your skin tone, eye color, and personal style. This will ensure your new look complements your natural features for a harmonious result.

2. Choosing the Right Highlighting Technique for Your Hair

There are many highlighting techniques, and NYC's top salons excel at recommending the right one for your hair type and desired outcome. Some of the most popular techniques you can expect at a high-end NYC salon include:

• Balayage: A freehand technique that creates soft, natural-looking highlights. Ideal for those who want low-maintenance highlights that grow out beautifully without harsh lines.

• Foil Highlights: Traditional highlights placed in foils for a more defined, high-contrast look. Perfect for clients who want precise, uniform highlights.

• Baby Lights: Ultra-fine highlights that mimic natural sun-kissed strands. This technique works great for a subtle, dimensional effect.

• Ombre: A gradient technique where the roots remain dark and the ends are lightened for a striking contrast. Ideal for clients who want a more dramatic, trendy look.

Your colorist will take the time to recommend the technique that will give you the best results based on your hair type and how much maintenance you’re willing to commit to.

3. The Highlighting Process

Once you’ve chosen your technique, it’s time for the application process. Here's what to expect during your highlighting session at one of NYC's best salons:

• Hair Prep: Your stylist will begin by preparing your hair. If you're getting foiled highlights, they will section your hair carefully to ensure even coverage. If you're opting for balayage, the stylist will use a freehand method to paint the highlights onto your strands.

• Color Application: The color will be applied to your hair according to your chosen technique. For foils, the color is wrapped in foil to process, while with balayage, the color is typically left open to air dry, allowing the color to blend seamlessly.

• Processing Time: Depending on your desired level of lightness, your highlights will need time to process. Expect to sit back and relax for anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour while the color lifts and develops. During this time, your colorist may check your hair to ensure the color is lifting correctly.

• Rinsing and Toning: After the color has processed, your stylist will rinse your hair thoroughly. They may apply a toner to ensure the highlights look natural and complementary to your base color, adjusting any brassiness or ensuring the shades are balanced. This step is crucial for achieving the perfect, flawless highlight.

4. Post-Color Treatment

After the highlights are done, a post-color treatment will be applied to help lock in moisture and restore shine to your hair. This might include:

• Deep Conditioning: A deep conditioning treatment will be used to replenish moisture and repair any damage caused by the coloring process, especially if your hair has been lightened significantly.

• Heat Protectant: Your stylist will apply a heat protectant product to shield your newly highlighted hair from damage caused by styling tools, helping to maintain color vibrancy and hair health.

5. Haircut and Styling

Once your highlights are applied, it’s time for the finishing touches. Many top NYC salons, including Venelle Salon and Spa, offer styling services as part of the experience. Whether you’re looking for a sleek blowout, soft waves, or straightening, your stylist can create a polished, beautiful style to complete your new look.

If your highlights are part of a larger haircut or trim, expect your stylist to work with you to shape your hair in a way that enhances both the color and your face shape. A well-executed haircut paired with highlights can bring out the beauty of your color and create a balanced, flattering look.

6. What to Expect After Your Appointment

Once you leave the salon with your gorgeous new highlights, you’ll likely want to take extra care of your hair to preserve both the color and its health. Here are a few things to expect and tips for aftercare:

• Color Maintenance: Depending on the type of highlights you’ve chosen, your stylist will give you specific instructions on how often you’ll need touch-ups. For example, balayage may only need touch-ups every 3-4 months, while foil highlights may need to be refreshed every 6-8 weeks.

• Hair Care Recommendations: Your stylist will recommend a range of products to help you maintain your highlights, such as color-safe shampoos, hydrating conditioners, and leave-in treatments. These will help extend the life of your color and keep your hair looking shiny and healthy.

• Salon Follow-Ups: Top NYC salons often offer post-color care consultations or follow-up treatments to ensure your highlights continue to look great as they grow out.

7. Why Choose Venelle Salon and Spa for Highlights in NYC?

At Venelle Salon and Spa, we pride ourselves on providing an exceptional highlighting experience for our clients. Here’s why you should choose us:

• Expert Colorists: Our experienced colorists are highly trained in a variety of highlighting techniques and can customize the perfect shade and method for your hair type and personal style.

• Premium Products: We use only the best professional color products to ensure your highlights are vibrant, long-lasting, and healthy for your hair.

• Personalized Service: We take the time to understand your hair goals and create a personalized highlighting plan to achieve the look you’ve always dreamed of.

Book Your Highlighting Appointment Today!

Are you ready to transform your hair with gorgeous highlights? Book an appointment at Venelle Salon and Spa today, and let our expert colorists give you the NYC highlight experience you deserve. Whether you're after a subtle change or a bold new look, we’ll make sure your highlights are perfectly tailored to your style and hair needs.