When a brand new hair time period hits the trending web page, there’s at all times an opportunity we’re simply placing a brand new identify on an already-established method. Moonlights, the freehand spotlight method to revive a colour job, is one other case of this renaming phenomenon. A minimum of, that’s what we thought.
This exploding pattern appears to be extra smoke and mirrors than precise method. Specialists suppose the true moonlight method isn’t as algorithm-friendly; the type takes longer than displayed in these viral movies.
@mariedoescolor Featured Specialists Marie Nino is an professional colorist and stylist primarily based in New York Ryan Dickie is an professional colorist at IGK Salon Miami Wait, what are moonlights? @emreciftcio Particular emreciftcio #moonlight #themoonlyhairpalace #emreciftcio #hair ♬ The Hills x Say It Proper by GOBAITH – GOBAITH
Like this TikTok (seemingly) demonstrates, moonlights are created by sweeping the hair again and making use of bleach in a freehand type to areas the solar would catch. The bleach is combed in to create that balayage impact.
Besides.
Is that even bleach?
Whereas the colour payoff to this haphazard and ultra-fast method appears tremendous satisfying, we now have to ask: that’s hair mousse, proper? In actual fact, if you happen to dig by the preferred moonlights clips, every video smells somewhat fishy. And we’re not the one ones who suppose that.
What do specialists suppose?
Based on professional colorist at IGK Salon Miami, Ryan Dickie, there’s some reality to this system. However the reality isn’t in its presentation.
“The overwhelming majority of content I have found of this technique online seems to be massively manipulative and misleading,” Dickie explains. “I have also consulted with several colorists to verify my concern. Ultimately, the perception of this technique is vastly misunderstood, and seemingly purposely deceitful.“
So, what are real moonlights?
It’s not that moonlights are fake, it’s that they take way more strategy than just plopping bleach onto your forehead and brushing it in.
“Moonlights, or vibrant minimal highlights with vivid colors applied in a way that mimics the natural light reflection in the hair,” explains New York colorist and stylist, Marie Nino. “They create a bright, glowing effect by placing vibrant tones through sections of the hair.”
So, kind of a balayage, however brighter?
“‘Moonlights’ refers to the technique of color application in which a colorist will apply lightener to hair in open-air, with the intention of brightening or lightening,” Dickie provides. “This technique is best used to revive a previously lifted, and now lived-in and faded blonde or bronde.”
How is that this type completely different from a balayage?
“This is different from balayage as it is more free form, less structured and less saturated,” Dickie explains. “While balayage focuses in more focal areas, moonlighting is a more global and general application.”
Each intention to catch mild, however in response to Nino, you possibly can consider moonlights as extra deliberately eye-catching.
“Unlike balayage, which is more about soft, natural gradation, moonlights focus on creating bold, eye-catching contrast with more defined placement,” she explains.
How are they really created?
No shock right here: your colorist gained’t simply throw a bunch of bleach straight onto your head.
“During application for the moonlighting technique, a colorist will paint lightener straight onto a brush or a comb and simply comb the lightener into the areas to be lightened,” Dickie says. “I often use this technique to refresh old and ‘worn out’ blonde after a full highlight application, as it is a very delicate, fast and easy technique to add additional lightness, simultaneously achieving a multitonal effect.”
That is positively just like the TikTok movies going viral however with a key distinction. The bleach goes on the comb first, not your head.
Are moonlights best for you?
“Layered, wavy, curly hairstyles or styles with movement work best for this highlighting technique,” says Nino. “They allow the vibrant tones to pop and blend seamlessly.”
For Dickie, moonlights are good for lighter colours in want of a refresh.
“Using this technique on dark or virgin hair does not promise ideal results,” Dickie warns. “Without ensuring even application and heavy saturation, most lightener products will reach their maximum lightening capability and stall, causing uneven lift and unwanted underlying tones.”
