Teasylights Add a Soft Wash of Color to Your Hair

Natural-looking hair lighteners have been "in" for decades. We're talking about that desirable first round of highlights that usually attempts to replicate the soft, sun-kissed hair some of us had as children.

Teasylights are the latest highlighting technique aimed at helping clients achieve that soft wash of natural golden strands. Keep reading for a breakdown of how to get teasylights, what makes the method so unique, and what to do between salon visits to give your lightened strands more longevity, straight from pro hair colorists Sal Misseri and Caterina Alfieri.

Meet The Experts

• Sal Misseri is a colorist and owner of REVERIE Salon in Chicago.

• Caterina Alfieri is a hair colorist at The Studio Salon in Stuart, Florida. She specializes in blonding and extensions.

What Are Teasylights?

"Teasylights are a highlighting technique used to diffuse and blend a highlight from the natural or unhighlighted hair," Alfieri tells us. The method is popular for its natural-looking results.

The ideal client for teasylights is someone whose hair is healthy enough to handle the lightening process. Alfieri warns that over-processed or poorly cared-for hair could risk experiencing severe breakage when attempting to reach the higher and cooler levels of a teasylight blonde. But with healthy hair walking in, "clients can expect a natural and low-maintenance look that complements their base hair color," Misseri says.

How to Achieve Teasylights

The key component to achieving teasylights is through a backcombed or "teasing" technique. Teasing the strands that have been expertly woven out helps to soften the transition between the colored and natural hair. Misseri says these highlights are typically created in thin, weaved areas that are backcombed before the lightener is applied to achieve a soft, blended, and sun-kissed effect.

Alfieri gives us a breakdown of what to expect during a teasylights color appointment:

• The colorist will section the hair and pick up the areas they are highlighting, just like a traditional highlight.

• They will tease that area with their highlighting comb or preferred teasing tool and then paint the lightener on the hair beneath the tease. This will go in a foil or be left in open air, depending on their highlighting technique.

• Once the highlights are rinsed, the hair is detangled. How easily the client untangles usually depends on the coarseness of the hair. "Finer hair tends to be more difficult," Alfieri notes. "Imagine untangling a string versus a rope." Every stylist has their preferred method of detangling,  and while this part can be uncomfortable for someone with a very sensitive scalp, you should never be in any pain.

• From there, your colorist will tone based on your color goals. Clients with a lighter base can expect higher and cooler levels of blonde more immediately, while those with darker base colors or previous hair colors should expect warmer results at their first appointment.
  

How Long Do They Last?

Similar to other highlighting techniques, teasylights typically last about 6-8 weeks. This, of course, varies with every client's hair growth and at-home maintenance. If your lifestyle doesn't allow for frequent salon upkeep— the cost for teasylights can range from $150 to $300 or more— experts assure us that you can totally ride it out for up to a year. "Teasylights tend to fade gradually and blend nicely with the natural hair color as they grow out," says Misseri.

How to Maintain Them

Below, our experts offer up their best tips for maintaining healthy, vibrant teasylights in between salon appointments:

• Use sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners; Misseri recommends Davines' MINU Shampoo ($34) and Conditioner ($38).

• Filter the water from your shower head.

• Regularly apply conditioning treatments or masks to deeply nourish the hair.

• Use the appropriate brush, and always begin brushing at the ends and work your way up toward the scalp.

• Minimize heat styling and use protectants before any exposure.

The main focus to upkeep your teasylights is moisture, Alfieri tells us. "There is only so much that can happen in the hours at the salon," she adds. To get the most out of your salon services, "daily [at-home] care is essential."

Teasylights vs. Babylights

Babylights, another trending highlight technique, take a more finely woven approach that offers more coverage by beginning at the base of the scalp. "Teasylights and babylights are similar, but babylights are even finer and more delicate," says Misseri. "Teasylights use a slightly thicker section of hair, which may result in a bit more contrast compared to babylights."

Where babylights are sought out for the appearance of an overall lightened base color, teasylights are sought out for detailed pieces and subtlety. Additionally, teasing the hair isn't a technique seen in babylights.

The Final Takeaway

Teasylights are a highlighting technique that teases the hair to diffuse the transition between bleach and base color. With the proper care and maintenance at home, teasylights may only need to be refreshed once or twice a year, and the results will leave you with a soft, naturally sun-kissed look.

Up Next: Foilyage 101: Everything You Need to Know About the Hybrid Highlighting Technique

Read the original article on Byrdie.