Half Head Highlights: What They Are & What They Cost
Rebekah ToddSalon Owner
Published
A half head of highlights lightens fine strands through the top and sides of your hair, the sections you see when it is worn down, while the back and underneath stay darker. At Michael Todd Hairdressing in East Grinstead it takes around 90 minutes and costs from £67.
![Soft platinum half head highlights on a short textured cut, created at Michael Todd Hairdressing in East Grinstead][img-header]
What are half head highlights?
Half head highlights are foil highlights placed from your parting down through the top and both sides of your head. Your stylist weaves or slices fine sections of hair into foils, lightens them, then tones the result so it blends with your natural colour underneath. Because the back and the lower layers are left alone, you get brightness and dimension where people actually look, without the time or cost of lightening the whole head.
It is the most flexible highlight service we offer: subtle enough for a first set of highlights, and bright enough to keep an established blonde looking fresh.
How much is a half head of highlights?
A half head of highlights at our East Grinstead salon costs from £67 to £95. Where you fall in that range depends on the length and thickness of your hair, since longer or denser hair needs more foils and more product. Your stylist confirms the exact price at your consultation, before any colour goes on.
Optional extras you can add on the day:
- K18 bond rebuilder, £32, for fine or previously lightened hair
- L'Oréal Metal Detox, £15, which helps lightener lift evenly in hard-water areas
- A separate gloss and toner, £32, if you want to refresh the tone between full appointments
Every price is listed on our price list.
How long does a half head of highlights take?
Allow around 90 minutes. That includes your consultation, foiling, processing, toning and a blow-dry so you can see the blend before you leave. Very long or thick hair, or a first appointment where your stylist is working out how your hair lifts, can take a little longer, and we will tell you when you book.
Half head vs T-section vs full head highlights
| Service | What gets lightened | Time | From | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Face framing highlights | Hairline around the face | 90 min | £30 | A low-commitment brightener |
| T-section foils | Parting, crown and front hairline | 90 min | £65 | Refreshing regrowth between bigger appointments |
| Half head highlights | Top and sides | 90 min | £67 | Natural brightness when hair is worn down |
| Full head highlights | Whole head, including back and underneath | 2 hrs | £100 | Wearing hair up, or going noticeably lighter |
If you are torn between a half head and a T-section, the question is your sides: a T-section only brightens your parting and hairline, while a half head carries the colour down through the sides so it still shows when your hair is tucked behind your ears.
What is a half head of foils?
A half head of foils is the same service as half head highlights. "Foils" refers to the method: each lightened section is wrapped in foil so the lightener only touches the strands chosen, which gives cleaner, more defined lines than hand-painted balayage. If you want a softer, sun-faded grow-out instead, read our guide to balayage vs highlights.
Who suits half head highlights, and who doesn't?
Half head highlights suit you if:
- You wear your hair down most of the time
- You want to brighten your natural colour without a dramatic change
- You already have highlights and want to top up the most visible areas
- You want lower upkeep than a full head
They are less suited if you often wear your hair up, because the darker back and underneath will show, or if you want to go several shades lighter all over. In those cases a full head of highlights is usually the better starting point. If you have very dark hair and want a pale blonde, your stylist may suggest building the brightness over two appointments to protect the condition of your hair.
How often should you get half head highlights?
Most clients rebook every 6 to 8 weeks, which is when regrowth at the parting starts to show. A popular rhythm is a half head at one appointment and T-section foils at the next, which keeps the colour balanced without lightening the same hair every time.
Blonde half head highlights
For a blonde result, toning matters as much as the lightening. Freshly lifted hair can look yellow or orange, so your stylist will finish with a toner to land on the shade you chose, whether that is cool and icy or warm and honey. If your blonde starts to turn brassy before you are due back, a quick gloss and toner will bring it back without new foils.
Looking after half head highlights
- Use a colour-safe shampoo and conditioner. We use and sell the Davines MINU range in the salon.
- Use a weekly mask on your lengths and a heat protector before blow-drying or straightening.
- Keep hot tools on a medium setting.
- Book a toner top-up if the shade drifts warm between appointments.
There is more detail in our guide to caring for your hair after highlights.
Booking a half head of highlights in East Grinstead
Half head highlights are offered by all four of our colour stylists, Rebekah, Marie, Jade and Katie, at 29 High Street, East Grinstead, RH19 3AF. If you are new to the salon you will need a patch test before your first colour appointment. Clients travel to us from Forest Row, Ashurst Wood, Felbridge, Crawley Down, Lingfield and Dormansland.
Book a half head of highlights online or call 01342 305201. You can see all our highlights services in one place.
Half head highlights: quick answers
Is a half head of highlights enough?
For most people who wear their hair down, yes. A half head brightens everything visible from the front and sides. If you regularly wear a ponytail or want an all-over blonde, choose a full head instead.
Do half head highlights damage your hair?
Any lightening opens the hair cuticle, so some dryness is normal. Toning, a conditioning treatment and an optional K18 bond rebuilder keep the hair strong, and because only part of the head is lightened there is less overall processing than a full head.
Can I have half head highlights on grey hair?
Yes. Highlights blend grey well because the lighter strands soften the contrast between grey regrowth and your natural colour. Your stylist may combine them with a full head colour or root colour depending on how much grey you have.
Last updated: 29 October 2026. Written by Rebekah Todd, owner of Michael Todd Hairdressing on East Grinstead High Street.
