Hair Tint vs Highlights

The Secret Language of Hair Colour Gone are the days when choosing a hair colour was a simple yes or no decision. Yiannis, expert colourist at Gusto Covent Garden, recently shared with me, "The most frequent question I get from clients isn't about what colour to choose – it's about which colouring technique will best suit their lifestyle and desired outcome."

Understanding Your Colour Canvas Your natural hair serves as the foundation for any colour transformation. Hair tinting provides full coverage, seeping into each strand to create a uniform shade. Meanwhile, highlights work like an artist's brush, painting select strands to create dimension and movement.

The Science Behind the Shine Let's break down what happens during each process:

• Tinting penetrates the hair cortex, replacing your natural pigment
• Semi-permanent tints coat the hair shaft, lasting 8-12 washes
• Highlights use bleach to lift natural colour from selected strands
• Foiling techniques create precise, controlled lightening
• Heat processing affects the final colour intensity

Maintenance Matters The truth about upkeep might surprise you. While highlights typically require maintenance every 8-12 weeks, tinting needs attention every 4-6 weeks due to root growth. However, tinted hair often maintains its glossiness longer than highlighted strands.

Investment in Your Image Consider these factors when making your choice:

• Time investment: Highlights take 2-4 hours, tinting 1-2 hours
• Financial commitment: Highlights generally cost 30-50% more
• Frequency of salon visits: Tinting requires more regular appointments
• At-home care requirements: Both need colour-safe products

Making the Perfect Choice Your lifestyle should guide your decision. Are you a busy professional who needs low-maintenance colour? Tinting might be your answer

Craving that sun-kissed, multidimensional look? Highlighting could be your perfect match.

The Transform-Hair-tion Journey "I switched from highlights to tinting last year," shares Emma, client at Gusto. "The richness and depth of colour transformed not just my hair, but my entire look. It's given me so much more confidence."

At Gusto Hairdressing, we specialise in both techniques, offering personalised consultations to determine which method will best achieve your desired results. Our colour specialists use premium products and advanced techniques to ensure optimal results, whether you choose tinting or highlighting. Book a complimentary colour consultation today to discover your perfect hair transformation journey.

At Gusto Hairdressing, our expert colourists specialise in creating bespoke looks. Book your consultation today to discover how we can transform your hair while maintaining its health and vitality.