Growing out highlights doesn’t have to mean enduring a harsh line or losing the luster of your hair. Whether you are transitioning back to your natural shade or want a lower-maintenance look, the journey is about blending, health, and patience.
At Aveda Institute, we specialize in helping guests achieve a seamless, high-end transition using plant-powered products. Here is your guide on how to grow out highlights gracefully while keeping your hair in peak condition.
The Strategy: Blending vs. Going Cold Turkey
Stopping highlight appointments abruptly often results in a sharp line of demarcation. Instead, work with a professional stylist to implement a soft landing strategy:
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Lowlights to the Rescue: Adding lowlights in a shade close to your natural base helps break up the solid blonde and mimics the look of a natural shadow root.
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The Power of Balayage: If you have traditional foil highlights, your stylist can transition you to a balayage or "lived-in color" technique. This hand-painted method ensures a soft, graduated effect that grows out beautifully without frequent touch-ups.
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Shadow Roots: A root smudge, or root drag, can be applied during your transition to blur the boundary between your new growth and the old highlights.
Prioritize Hair Integrity
Highlighted hair is more porous and prone to breakage. As you grow it out, you want the old lightened ends to remain healthy so you don’t lose length. -
Bond Building: Use Aveda Botanical Repair™. This line uses plant-derived molecules to strengthen and multiply hair bonds from the inside out.
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Moisture is Key: Bleached strands thirst for hydration. The Nutriplenish™ line, with its omega-5-rich pomegranate oil, provides the essential nutrients needed to keep the "old" hair from looking brittle.
Combat Brassy Tones
One of the biggest challenges when growing out blonde hair is the fading stage. As the toner wears off, highlights can turn brassy or yellow. -
In-Salon Glossing: Visit Aveda Institute for a Shine Treatment. Our 93% naturally derived gloss can neutralize unwanted tones and add incredible shine without the commitment of permanent color.
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At-Home Maintenance: Use Aveda Color Control™ or purple toning products to keep your remaining highlights cool and bright while your natural roots take center stage.
Scalp Health for Faster Growth
If your goal is to get back to your natural length quickly, focus on the scalp. A healthy scalp environment is the foundation for strong hair growth. -
Scalp Solutions: Treat yourself to a Scalp Solutions Scalp Renewal Treatment at our student salon. It exfoliates and rebalances the scalp, removing buildup that can hinder healthy growth.
Regular Trims are Non-Negotiable
While it seems counterintuitive when you’re trying to "grow" your hair, regular trims (every 8–12 weeks) are essential. Trimming removes split ends that would otherwise travel up the hair shaft, causing more damage and making the transition look unkempt.
Growing out your color is a journey, but you don't have to do it alone. Our talented students, under the supervision of licensed educators, can help you design a custom plan to reclaim your natural beauty.
Book your consultation at Aveda Institute today!