How to Frost Hair: 14 Steps

Frosting your hair can give it a fresh, new look, and add dimension and texture. This technique involves highlighting random sections of hair to create a frosted appearance. Here are 14 steps to guide you through the process of frosting your hair.
1. Gather materials: You’ll need frosted cap and hook, a highlighter kit, clips for sectioning your hair, gloves, a mixing bowl and brush.
2. Choose the right color: Frosted highlights look best when they are two or three shades lighter than your natural hair color.
3. Prepare your workstation: Lay out all the materials you’ll be using, and cover any surfaces where you’ll be applying the hair dye to avoid staining.
4. Wear protective clothing: Use an old T-shirt or apron to protect your clothes from potential dye stains.
5. Apply petroleum jelly: Apply it around your hairline and ears to avoid skin staining.
6. Section your hair: Separate your hair into four equal sections using clips.
7. Put on the frosted cap and gloves: Make sure the cap fits snugly on your head and pull strands of hair through the cap holes using the hook provided in the kit.
8. Mix the dye: Follow instructions on the highlighter kit for preparing the dye mixture—make sure to use a non-metallic mixing bowl as metallic bowls can react with chemicals in the dye.
9. Test strand: Conduct a patch test by applying dye to a few strands first and processing it according to instructions provided in the kit—this helps ensure you achieve desired results before applying it to all sections.
10. Apply dye: Use a brush or applicator bottle to apply dye evenly throughout all sections while ensuring optimal saturation of pulled strands—don’t rush; take your time for best results.
11. Processing time: Follow manufacturer’s instructions for how long to leave dye on your hair—generally, it ranges from 15 to 45 minutes depending on the desired intensity.
12. Rinse and condition: Once the processing time is complete, remove the frosted cap and wash your hair with color-safe shampoo; then apply a color-saving conditioner—make sure to rinse thoroughly.
13. Dry and style: Gently towel-dry your hair and apply a heat protectant before using styling tools such as blow-dryers or straighteners.
14. Maintain frosted highlights: Use color-safe shampoo and conditioner designed for highlighted hair to keep your frosted look fresh, and consider visiting a professional stylist for touch-ups when necessary.
Now that you know the process for frosting your hair, it’s time to experiment with this fun and stylish technique. Not only will frosted highlights add dimension to your look, but it will also give you a confident boost. Be patient as you learn this worthwhile skill—practice makes perfect!