Hair strobing - what is it?
Hair strobing is the coloring of individual areas of the hair, working by lightening or, conversely, darkening the curls. That is, with the help of the play of light, as in makeup, it transforms facial features, hiding flaws and emphasizing advantages.
Strobing has a personal touch: similar to applying highlighter to the face, the hairdresser draws highlights of color on the hair to make cheekbones more expressive or visually elongate the face.
Gigi Hadid's hairstyle perfectly illustrates the beautiful strobing on her hair. The highlights on her curls are segmented - this is how the model's stylist created the right balance of color and shadow to visually change the structure of the lower jaw and make it less massive.
Strobing is very similar to balayage, but, unlike the latter, it may not cover the ends, but only touch a few strands. A good example is the hairstyle of another model, Miranda Kerr. For a while, she wore bleached highlights around her face to highlight the softness of her cheekbones.
Main advantages of strobing
The main advantage of strobing and its difference from many other techniques is an individual approach to coloring, which involves emphasizing all the advantages and diverting attention from the shortcomings.
The hairdresser creates a unique pattern that will suit you:
- Strobing looks natural, since the artist uses tones that are only two or three shades lighter or darker than the natural hair color.
- New color highlights highlight skin tone and facial contours.
- Visually adds volume to the hairstyle.
- Suitable for both short and long hair.
- The result of such coloring can be quickly adjusted or tinted.
What is strobing on hair
The trend originates from Andrew Jose salon in London and colorist Nalan Derby. They were the first to pay attention to facial contouring in the same way as in makeup.
Hair strobing focuses on increasing the concentration of hair color where natural highlight is present. Strobing highlights facial features through “strategic” placement of hair color. Some colorists use sponges and other makeup tools, along with hair dyes, to create a specific look.
A special application of color and a combination of contrasting tones will illuminate facial features. Hair strobing is similar to the Balayage technique (a technique of randomly applying color). However, hair strobing is more precise and gives a glamorous, polished look as areas are lightened without the use of darkening.
Experts use what are called "hair maps" to determine which areas should be highlighted and which should be darkened. Using hair color two shades lighter and two shades darker than the client's natural color, colorists create a wave of light to highlight the face.
Hair strobing for different face types
Sometimes it is not necessary to run to cosmetologists to change the parameters of your face. You can always look perfect if you choose the right strobing pattern.
For square face type
To soften the sharp cheekbones of a square face and make the contours lighter, it is better to lighten the top strands and lightly touch the crown of the head with a light shade.
For a triangular face
If you have questions about your sharp chin, you can highlight the curls from the jawline. Thus, you divert attention from the lower third of the face.
For round face shape
Those with a round face usually strive to visually lengthen it. In this matter, you will be helped by darkening the strands directly near the face and creating light accents in the upper parietal zone. This method visually removes unwanted volume in the cheek area and visually elongates the face due to light strands.
For a long face
But for an elongated face, on the contrary, it is important to emphasize the cheeks. To do this, lighten the curls near the cheekbones or along the entire length of the hair near the face. Like face shimmer, strands make the outline more textured and regular.
Strobing for different face types
The technique can capture several similar shades, although strobing is considered successful when using only two: the first should be 2 shades darker than the natural hair color, the second, by analogy, should be 2 shades lighter. Selected accent strands are lightened or bleached, and areas that do not need to attract attention are darkened.
The paint is distributed over the entire length or in chaotic strokes; the technique can cover both the entire mass of hair and individual zones, for example, for visual rejuvenation, 4-5 strands are highlighted on the face.
Colorists have developed standard techniques for each face type.
- Those with an oval face do not need to change its shape; strobing here helps highlight the eyes if the shade of paint matches the palette of the iris.
- In a triangular shape, a convex forehead attracts attention; it can be hidden with oblique bangs, tinted with a shade darker than the main mass. The tips at the neck and on the jawline are highlighted.
- For a round face, the bangs should be lightened a little, if they are not there, dye the side strands in the front part dark, lighten 1-2 strands in the upper zone and partially the hair on the back of the head. The technique is suitable for those with long straight haircuts.
- To smooth out the angularity of a square and rectangular face, thin beams on the sides in the cheekbone area are highlighted; everything below should remain dark. The haircut looks beautiful with side bangs; for a square face, lighten it a little. This technique helps to draw attention away from a low forehead and heavy chin, and the appearance becomes more feminine.
- The elongated face is balanced by asymmetrical thinning. The elongated bangs are carefully placed on a side parting; there should be thin light veins in it. The contrast of dark and light in the cheekbone area will disguise a massive chin.
The advantage of strobing is that it is gentle; unlike complete lightening and highlighting, it affects only the visible upper zone. The haircut looks textured and voluminous, the face takes on a rested look, its proportions gently change. The technique is accompanied by a professional analysis of appearance; it is difficult to implement at home.
Strobing coloring based on hair color
On black hair
It may seem like strobing on black hair is a dubious idea, but in fact, you can add light-colored highlights to dark locks as well. It is important to correctly determine the location of these highlights and not to overdo it with their width, otherwise the entire highlighting effect that strobing gives will simply disappear, and you will get the usual highlighting, and not the best one at that.
On dark hair
It is somewhat easier to choose a strobing pattern for brown and dark brown hair - from level 7 to level 5. Such tones are optimal, since the color accents on them, although clearly visible, retain smooth transitions.
On blonde hair
And on hair of a color range from light brown to blonde, strobing acts as an almost invisible highlighter. It gently contours the appearance, maintaining a natural look. Using strobing, you can create beautiful shimmers that imitate the effect of hair bleached by the summer sun.
On red hair
Owners of fiery shades are lucky. The strobing on their curls looks very beautiful. It gives the hair an attractive contrast, texture and volume, and contouring the oval of the face using this technique can be most effective.
Hair strobing: “makeup effect”
Strobing is known to some of us as a makeup technique. However, in addition to it, there is also hair strobing. And it not only exists – but is gaining momentum in popularity! However, these are identical terms: the principle of hair strobing is the same as in makeup; this technique uses the play of light and shadow and thus contours the face. Well, this allows you to emphasize your advantages and hide your appearance flaws.
Transform your face after hair strobing! 18400
Some may think that the beauty industry already has plenty of options for transformations and reincarnations, and hair coloring techniques will probably last a lifetime. This is true. But still, every new product, every original technique has its own nuances that can perfectly complement your image or satisfy needs (the existence of which we, women, sometimes ourselves are not aware of). Well, if you want to do more than just dye your hair or change your style, ask your hair stylist to try this technique on you!
Hair strobing: coloring principle
This technique is a mix coloring based on the principle of mixing dark and light shades in order to successfully outline the oval of the face or change some of its features. As Matrix celebrity stylist Daniel Moon describes the idea of hair strobing, hair strobing is “specific, personalized lighting that changes not only hair color, but also the shape of the face and skin tone.”
As in makeup, such a game with shades helps to visually correct the shape of the face and focus on its most advantageous features or, on the contrary, level out “errors.” Let's say that high cheekbones can be highlighted with strands near the face at their level, using lighter shades. And a heavy selection can be “hidden” with curls of a darker color. One way or another, after this coloring you get an interesting color that plays in the sun, and a completely lasting and safe correction of the shape or tone of your face.
Benefits of Hair Strobing
The beauty of hair strobing is that the colorist can adapt your appearance to your hair and vice versa - he will choose exactly the shades and dye the exact strands that are ideal for your shape and complexion. Your trump card is your eyes? Great – they’ll be singled out! Do you have an ideal skin tone? This can be emphasized! Strobing your hair is also a great way to add definition and texture to your haircut. After this coloring, the hair looks well-groomed, the curls look silky and flowing
Strobing is a trendy hair coloring method 18476
Successful, professionally performed hair strobing solves two important problems at once: the hair acquires the desired color, and at the same time this or that part of the face is favorably shaded. Voila - you are transformed! Colorists are already actively using this feature of strobing - they dye individual strands of hair to achieve an “accent” effect or, conversely, to disguise the imperfections of certain facial features. For example, if you lighten a couple of strands near your face, you can highlight your high cheekbones and add expressiveness to your eyes. Adding highlights around the face can draw attention away from gray skin tones and wrinkles—this technique works especially well when paired with a loose curl hairstyle.
Sometimes it is possible to frame the face in an advantageous manner by lightening just a couple of strands near the face, in other cases it is necessary to dye about a third of the hair mass,
Who is suitable for hair strobing, and who is not so good at it?
This dyeing technique will look especially advantageous on warm brown hair (including “caramel” brown hair), as well as on light brown hair - in these cases, the field for experimenting with shades is much wider.
Strobing on dark hair - a bright solution 18895
But on black hair (scorching brunettes), the effect of the play of light and shadow will be lost, and as a result, the hair may simply look unevenly colored. It is also difficult to achieve a positive effect on a too light blonde: the colored strands will stand out strongly against the background of the rest and the feeling of naturalness, a certain relaxed naturalness, will disappear. But darker blondes can play with shades according to the rules of strobing - in their case, the field for experimentation is also quite wide and fertile.
Hair strobing strengthened Gigi Hadid's position in the modeling business 19278
Hair strobing is especially flattering on curly hair, softening the boundaries between different strokes to give the hairstyle a natural look. However, some people find sharp, contrasting solutions great, and even smooth, straight hair can benefit from such coloring - this method adds volume to the hairstyle.
Differences between hair strobing and other coloring techniques
At first glance, this coloring option is very similar to the already somewhat tired ombre or balayage. But still, these coloring techniques have completely different tasks: if ombre or balayage is a fairly simple procedure that changes the image, then strobing is a much more complex technique that changes not only the image but also the appearance. Coloring based on the strobing principle cannot be trusted to the first person who comes across: your colorist must not only have a sense of proportion and style, but also have an excellent understanding of the chromatic range, “feel” the color palette in order to correctly select the shades that suit the face. As befits true art, this is a very painstaking work that must be performed in complete harmony with the personality of each client. And few people can master such an art!
Masters on hair strobing techniques 18555
The strobing process differs from typical dyeing processes in technical aspects - it is carried out in three stages, rather than two. The result of contouring is achieved by applying wider stripes of color for contrast: the colorist uses dyes two shades lighter and two shades darker than the natural hair color. After toning and highlighting, you need to go back and again highlight, emphasize and rearrange the gamut with additional coloring.
Also, in strobing it is allowed to use dyes of non-natural shades - blue, green, pink, etc. In addition, if approximately half of the total hair volume is highlighted during ombre, balayage or highlighting, then fewer strands are colored during strobing.
Unexpected, harsh, but successful strobing solutions
Rock 'N' Strobe Collection by Matrix 18821
Hair strobing... at home
If you decide to take a risk and dye your hair this way at home, then try a simplified version of strobing, which will save you from the risk of ruining your hair or face by experimenting with tones and strands. In this case, you will need cream-textured paints that apply well to the strands, and do not smudge or spread over half your head. The color tone should be only two shades lighter than your hair tone.
Next, you need to gather it into a ponytail and separate only those strands near your face that you want to dye. Apply paint pointwise to the strands (it is best to do this with a brush), distribute evenly over the surface to be painted and wait the allotted time (on average this takes 20-30 minutes).
Hair strobing dyes
You can go another way - purchase professional hair strobing products. There are few brands that have released hair strobing lines today; the well-known ones are Matrix and Redken. Professional colorists working for these companies have developed different color protocols to get the most out of each color depending on your hair.
How to do hair strobing: step-by-step technique
The highlighting technique consists of horizontally applying color in a single and pre-thought-out accent. The strobing procedure begins with straightening the hair, so that it is easier for the master to distribute color highlights in the future.
- First of all, the hair is carefully combed, straightened and distributed into individual strands using clips.
- After the coloring composition is diluted, using a special brush, it is applied to the curls with sweeping movements according to the intended pattern.
- Areas that have been painted with a large amount of paint (mostly the tips) are wrapped in foil.
- The dye is left on the curls for some time (the duration of exposure depends on the initial color of the hair and the characteristics of the dye itself), after which the composition is washed off.
- Hair is washed with shampoo, conditioner and tinted.
How it will be: photos before and after hair strobing
For short hair
In this case, the highlights are placed mainly on the bangs and the top of the hairstyle to visually give it volume and harmonize the face.
For medium length hair
Strobing looks most impressive on hair below shoulder length. In this case, you can frame the strands of your face with color tints and contour your features.
For long hair
On hair below the level of the shoulder blades, strobing can be safely combined with balayage - this will give the entire coloring integrity.
What is strobing in hair coloring?
Strobing on hair has the same purpose as strobing in makeup: to highlight certain areas. According to stylists, this technique helps soften facial features and add volume to hair. For this, 2-3 tones of dyes similar in palette are used.
The roots of the hair remain darker, and some strands are lightened with smooth transitions.
Strobing in coloring does not have clear lines, it is a play of light and shadow on the hair. This creates the effect of sun glare in the hairstyle. The technique helps to place the necessary accents. For example, to make the look more expressive, you should add more highlights to the temples or at the ends of the bangs.
Hair care rules after dyeing
Since strobing is primarily about lightening, the treatment should be selected for light-colored and colored hair, even if a small area of the hair fiber has been affected. This way you will prevent your curls from losing their brightness and becoming brittle.
In addition, in order not to renew your coloring every two months, you can choose tinting shampoos or balms.
Milk Chromatique
Kérastase
Buy
Don't forget about leave-in and wash-out treatments - they are especially important if you want to protect your curls from negative environmental influences. Mild milks and oils are suitable for colored hair. Some of the best can be found among Kérastase products. Elixir Ultime multifunctional care oil is most effective for bleached hair.
, it can be combined with the use of
Chromatique milk
, which protects colored curls for up to 40 days.
Is it possible to do coloring at home?
Strobing and balayage are techniques that represent a free coloring method. They are not created according to a prepared template, but work individually for each case, so repeating them at home is both difficult and easy.
If you clearly understand which areas you need to paint to get the perfect result, you can try repeating highlighting at home.
Here are some tips from experts for girls who want to replicate strobing at home.
- Consult with a professional makeup artist or cosmetologist so that he can determine your face type and tell you about your strengths and weaknesses. This way you can choose your strobing pattern more intelligently.
- It's good to have a few hair clips on hand so you can apply color with more precision and target specific areas that need to be lightened.
- To choose the right shade, choose one that is close to your natural color, but two or three shades lighter.
It is important to understand that most often only the master knows exactly what scheme to use for strobing, and only he will be able to choose the optimal lightening color for you and will use exclusively professional dyes.
