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Bodt recommends going to a professional but if you’re going to do it at home, do it right. “Look, in a pinch if you needed to paint a few pieces around your face, absolutely go for it. Section off areas you want to paint, base your hairline so you don’t get bleach in your eye, and be really careful. If you’re just adding some face-framing highlights, just rinse it as it’s done: don’t get too experimental.” She likes the Madison Reed Light Works Balayage Highlights Kit, $44.95.
Your greatest enemy? Heat damage. “Hair that’s been highlighted is pretty sensitive, so usually when people come in with damage it’s because of these insane hot tools,” Bodt cautions. “Hair that’s been previously lightened doesn’t need high heat when styling; medium heat will do the trick. Also, use a heat protectant like Kerastase Nutritive Nectar Thermique Blow Dry Primer, $37. You want to put a barrier between your highlighted hair and that high heat.” She also recommends sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase to reduce friction on sensitive hair and to avoid using metal brushes when heat styling, they heat up too fast.
Image via Imaxtree
Since this is most likely the end of your ombre color, Bodt suggests going to a professional to marry the different hues of your hair together as well as bring the levels of golden blonde back up on the ends. “This could be like a twice-a-year thing; super easy to maintain,” she recommends. You can also enhance your ends at home with a golden color treatment like dpHUE Gloss+ Golden Blonde, $30.