Services
Can you do highlights without bleach? | Abingdon | Didcot | Wantage | Oxfordshire
Opening in 2018, our space is now one of the busiest. Our creative team are celebrated for their signature haircuts, hair colour, perms, blowdries and more.
CALL: 01235 534705
EMAIL: [email protected]
4 EAST ST. HELEN STREET, OX14 5EA
Hair Salon Opening Times
Tuesday
First Appointment
Last Appointment
Wednesday-Thursday
First Appointment
Last Appointment
Friday
First Appointment
Last Appointment
Saturday
First Appointment:
Last Appointment:
10 am
3:30 pm
11:30 am
7:30 pm
10 am
6 pm
9 am
4:30 pm
Highlights without bleach in Abingdon
If you love the highlighted look, you don’t necessarily need to use bleach to achieve it and there could be a few reasons as to why. Highlights will be the most popular colouring service across most hair salons, balancing a sun-kissed look and a commitment which requires on average 4-6 appointments annually. While bleach is typically the ‘go-to’ product when creating highlights and most commonly used, it’s not the only method available. Highlights without bleach have many benefits; they offer a softer look, present less contrast, they’re effective on grey hair and if your preference is to use tint over bleach, then highlights without bleach might work for you!
In our daily blog, we’ll explore what your options are, how highlights without bleach can look, what the limitations are and whether you should be advised to do it.
If you are considering something different, our highlights service page can help. Finally, if you’re new to the salon and not sure how to get the most value from your next appointment, need a consultation or would value a conversation before booking, call or send a WhatsApp message on 01235 534705


Highlights without bleach FAQ's
Can you highlight hair without bleach?
Bleach and tint as a combination is much more commonly used to create highlighted and lowlighted hair, however using only tint without the use of bleach to create highlights and lowlights (or one of the two) can still be done. In order to achieve a lighter colour, your Stylist will likely use a product called a ‘high-lift tint’ (which will be mentioned throughout this blog). High-lifts are a type of permanent colour designed to help lighten hair by several levels (shades) and this is often used when clients have a preference for opting not to have bleach used or when using a tint is the better option, particularly if a client isn’t looking for the same look that bleach offers when highlighting.
What do highlights without bleach look like?
Highlights when created with or without bleach will still look like highlights, the difference is the end resulting colour. When highlighting hair there are two controllables; the thickness of your highlights (big and chunky or soft and delicate also known as babylights) and whether bleach or tint is used. When highlights are applied without bleach, these lighter pieces tend to look softer, more natural, and less dramatic than traditional bleach highlights. Bleach offers more aggressive results (without compromising on health of hair so if you want to go really light, here’s how) whereas tints offer a lesser contrast and for many that may appeal and for others less so. The end result is a softer sun-kissed highlighted effect rather than a lighter and more noticeable end result.
What are high-lift tints?
High-lift tints were referenced earlier in this blog post and these are key to highlighting hair without bleach. High-lifts could be considered a niche type of permanent hair colour that is used to create a more advanced lift (the ability to lighten). High-lift tints contain a higher concentration of ammonia and are used with a stronger developer (a white liquid used to ensure colours or bleaches can work) which allows them to lift a number of levels, albeit fewer than bleach can.
High-lift tints are to create blondes and most commonly on lighter natural bases like dark blonde or light brown hair. The result when using a high-lift tint tends to present as a soft, golden, or ash-toned blondes, depending on the formula and chosen colour. High-lift tints can work well for clients looking for subtlety, on hair that doesn’t require a big change or clients that have a strong preference for avoiding bleach where possible. The one downside is that high-lift tints are not as strong or as controlled as bleach, which means they’re best suited to clients who want a natural, lived-in look rather than high-contrast or white blonde highlights.
Can I lighten previously coloured hair without bleach?
The short answer is no and as a rule of thumb, colour can’t lift colour. What this means is that if your hair is black and you want to be blonde, you can’t apply a blonde tint directly over black hair and expect a blonde result. It’s too worth mentioning that a high-lift tint won’t be sufficiently capable of delivering your end result either. The process for lightening (in this example from black) would require the introduction of a bleach because permanent hair colour deposits artificial pigment deep into the hair shaft, and unfortunately, that pigment can’t be lifted out by another dye.
In most cases, used a form of bleach in a controlled way will be your best option and there are many options to achieve a lightened look. Whilst these is no fixed solution for lightening, we would strongly advise consulting with your Stylist who will consider your hair history, your present colour, your hair health, what you want to achieve and your budget for best results.
Conclusion
Highlights without bleach offer many benefits namely they work perfectly when seeking a softer end result, and highlights are fantastic on grey hair and it you seek a more nurturing end result on your hair above using bleach, this has it’s positives too. However there are limitations and before booking your next appointment, speak with your Stylist who will be best placed to advise. Colour isn’t able to lighten existing hair colour so if you are looking to go from dark to light, highlighting without bleach may not be your best option.
If you are feeling lost in what could work best for you, leave it to us. Our consultations work through any question you might have, logistics and we too make recommendations based upon your lifestyle and hair type.
Opening in 2018, our space is now one of the busiest. Our creative team are celebrated for their signature haircuts, hair colour, perms, blowdries and more.
CALL: 01235 534705
EMAIL: [email protected]
4 EAST ST. HELEN STREET, OX14 5EA
Opening Times
Tuesday
First Appointment
Last Appointment
Wednesday-Thursday
First Appointment
Last Appointment
Friday
First Appointment
Last Appointment
Saturday
First Appointment:
Last Appointment:
10 am
3:30 pm
11:30 am
7:30 pm
10 am
6 pm
9 am
4:30 pm
Want to know more about highlighting hair without bleach?
Complete the below and a staff member will contact you at the earliest opportunity with further information about how we can help you with your hair appointment. Any questions, call or send a WhatsApp to the salon on 01235 534705 or book your appointment online.
Want to know more about how you can highlight hair with tint?
As one of the best hair salons for highlighting hair without bleach in Oxfordshire, we would love to discuss your plans with you! To book your hair appointment or consultation, get in touch with Wisteria Avenue Hair Salon by booking online or calling us on 01235 53470.
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