DIY hair highlights explained by celeb hairstylist Kristin Ess

Lucy Hale, Jenna Dewan Tatum and Lauren Conrad are all #hairgoals, thanks to their uber-talented hairstylist, Kristin Ess. And now, Kristin has revealed how to DIY hair highlights on The Beauty Department (a website she co-founded where professional glam squad girls share their wealth of knowledge).

Here are some of the ‘highlights’ we picked up from her guide:

#1 Don’t go overboard

We shouldn’t go too crazy. “I don’t recommend doing more than a little face frame highlight around the front because by doing more than that you could easily lose control and things could go very, very wrong,” Kristin says.

DIY hair highlights explained by celeb hairstylist Kristin Ess

Image via The Beauty Department

#2 Safety first

Kristin stresses safety. You’ll need to get a bleach kit to do DIY hair highlights, so it’s important to be careful. She says to follow the allergy test instructions on the box, wear protective clothing and pop on some gloves to keep the bleach away from your eyes and skin.

#3 Grab a spoolie

Kristin suggests one brush for bleaching and one brush for blending. You should have an application brush in the bleach kit and for the second brush, Kristin suggests a spoolie (like the ones you use on your brows).

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#4 Have your hair styled

Before you start sectioning off parts of your hair, Kristin advises that you style and part it like you would on any usual day. This way, you can “see where the lighter pieces should fall with the way [you] normally wear it.” She also recommends that the size of each sectioned-off piece to highlight be no bigger than a shoelace.

#4 Apply from the middle

We should be applying the bleach from the middle of the strand to the end. “Anything higher than that could end up on your skin, or on other hair you don’t want to get bleach on, like your brows,” Kristin tells Allure. “I feel like almost anyone can do a controlled section, but I truly feel that it takes a professional colourist to go above that. And if your hair is shorter than a lob, you should go into see a professional. Once you start getting up toward the root you can really mess up doing it yourself.”

Have you ever tried doing DIY hair highlights? Would you give this a try?

36 Member Comments

S-P 4 Nov 2019 9:57 PM

I think I could give this a go. My hair naturally goes lighter in summer anyway.

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Lucy16 11 Nov 2018 7:56 PM

I'd leave this to the professionals!

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NatalieChew 2 Jul 2018 5:40 PM

I would try this myself

AP1992 22 Jun 2018 11:31 AM

i used to do my own

Shop A Everyday 16 Jun 2018 8:36 PM

The highlights at the front look very nice

bebeautiful34 28 May 2018 2:08 PM

I don't think highlights look great on me, I end up looking like a skunk!

perthchick 28 May 2018 2:29 PM

Ha ha. Sorry had to laugh at this. I've not had highlights before just block colour.

Rpear 4 Mar 2018 7:37 AM

I've always been told ... Don't attempt to go lighter at home! Save that for the professionals !

Sootyhere 20 Jun 2018 11:29 AM

Yes. I'm not sure I'm the right one to do my own hair lights. Sure they would end up a disaster and have a trip to the hairdressers anyway to fix them up.

Margaret 322 1 Mar 2018 10:02 PM

I’ve always done my own highlights, with a little bit of assistance from my Son or Hubby and they’ve always turned out ok. I just recently had a full head of foils done at the hairdressers and I’m really pleased with the result. I think when more than a few are added, you have to trust the professionals.

duality 27 Jan 2018 9:54 PM

Nope! I tried this once and it all went wrong, I’d rather pay and get it done properly

cityglenda 21 Jan 2018 5:19 PM

I saw a lady with bright red highlights around her face on brunette hair. It looked fab and was thinking about trying this myself.

Tigerlily 17 Jan 2018 10:43 PM

Gosh I would never try highlighting at home

jatz 16 Jan 2018 9:41 PM

Years ago friends would do my hair and then we would do theirs. These days, I don't trust myself to do it myself. Hairdressers do my foils when needed.

cosmoslyn 16 Jan 2018 9:37 PM

i usually get highlights done pro, because i can't look behind my head =D but good tips, and hope you follow them up with hair care after highlights please!

Temporary Princess 15 Jan 2018 9:37 PM

Getting a friend to do it for you is probably one of the best things!

misfortune8 15 Jan 2018 7:47 AM

The model is seen wearing a pull-over - don't make that mistake! I slip into an old black bathrobe, because there WILL be spills!

My tip: I keep alternating one on the left, then one on the right to ensure an even result.

bh's Ellie Goodman 16 Jan 2018 12:00 PM

Oh my goodness misfortune8, wearing something you can spill on is definitely the best tip of all! x

Beautybabe140194 14 Jan 2018 4:05 PM

I would try this myself but currently have a full head of foils. For the time will leave to the professionals.

Hayley644 13 Jan 2018 9:24 AM

Would never try and colour my hair myself.

Gilded 12 Jan 2018 8:42 PM

I have dark hair, and it needs to be lightened before applying any kind of colour usually. Not gonna diy hair colour no way.

2663anne 12 Jan 2018 2:07 PM

I’ll only get the hairdresser to lighten my hair, I’ve seen one too many friends with at home disasters

Snailor 11 Jan 2018 11:32 PM

Omg, no! I know my limits - applying bleach to my hair is one of them!

Yohanna 11 Jan 2018 4:04 PM

Always. Done it only 2 times in the salon, and it was disaster....so now I only trust my self

Jessica712 11 Jan 2018 2:48 PM

I have done my own highlights before and they turned out great. However, if ding it at home Id much rather have a friend help, and then I can do her hair. Otherwise, when going lighter I prefer to stick with hairdresser.

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