Highlights- How Young Is Too Young?

I did that temp dye with my kid's beutiful dirty blond hair and messed it up now I wish I never did it. it was sopposed to be temp dye for 8-10 washes well this was on holoween and it's still in there's hair I hate it. and the worst part it was orange-red color. other people compliment it but I want my blonde babies back. I did mine too I really don't care what mine looks like it's just looking at them all the time wishing I had'nt you know. It was so much fun for the first week or 2 though.

http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/Products.aspx?DeptID=0&Ca...

This is a temporary hair coloring toy that she and her friends would probbly really like. Lots of different colors. Take her for a great hair cut if she wants the salon experience and then she and her friends can give eachother highlights at the party. :) Good luck! ~V.

Highlights look nice but it take so much out of your hair, I say keep it healthy for as long as you can dictate : ) try to compromise with her, let her do the temp hair color, you know the stuff that washes out, she can experiment with all sorts of color. Boy they grow up so fast don't they. Just remember, you are her mother, their is no wrong or right answer here. It's what you feel comfortable with. : )

I personally don't think there is a "right" age for these things. when my child was 5 he wanted blue hair. I mean they are only young once and as long as they are sure thats what they want I dont mind. My son likes to change his hair fairly often and I have noticed alot of kids in his class do it too. He is 10 now. his cousins like to play with their hair color too. the girls like highlights or colors. its really about how you feel about it. Just make sure your child knows it is permamnent and you cant just wash it out if she doesnt like it tomorrow.
have fun and good luck

Hi J..
I am a hairstylist in Beaverton and can tell you that I have a few young clients that I do highlights on. A couple of them, the highlights are so subtle that when their hair grows out, you can barely notice. Then there's one girl (she's about 12 now) who I started highlighting when she was 10 and I do hers to a light blonde. I happen to go to church with the family and this girl is always nagging her mom to get her highlights retouched. I think 10 is an okay age to begin the highlights, but I would recommend subtle ones. And because I assume your daughter has "virgin" hair, (meaning no other colors, perms, etc. have been used on it) color can be used to lift her hair to a pretty color with out the harshness of lighteners (or "bleach").
Good luck! :)
C.

I know this sounds crazy, but I did hair for 10 years before staying at home. I have a 7 year old and she asked me for highlights. I said no at first but she kept on bugging me. I finally gave in and did very subtle highlights. She loves them. They are so subtle I won't even have to do a touchup. She just thought it was fun having all of the foils in her hair. I have done tons of haircolors on kids. The way I look at it is that hair grows out. Just remember not to go too light or you will have to do the upkeep. Hope this helps.

J. O,

There is nothing to worry about with your daughter getting highlights. If hair is the least of your worries, than I would let it be hair. For the time the hair that is highlighted will be a little damaged, but if you explain to her how she is going to have to take care of it then I think you'll be fine. With getting highlights just around her face where she see's it will probable solve the highlight wants.Get something that is subtle, but noticable.

About me: I have been a hair designer for the last 21 years, and have done a lot of childerens hair, The hair is always changing, and grows back to the way it was before unless you have health or eating problems. Go for it mom. Make another mom daughter day.

Sincerly,
Dee O

Hi J.. I have a 12yr old daughter that I let get highlights last year. My personal opinion is that it's no different than perms in that it's a major difference in their appearance and ultimately boosts her self-esteem. I felt that the right time was when she went into middle school. I bought her a gift certificate to her salon for Valentine's Day but not enough to pay for the entire highlighting. She had to use her own money for the rest of it. I didn't have support from anyone but that's what's cool about being the mom - you can do whatever you want (with hubby's ok of course). If you feel that it's ok, then do it but know that not everyone will see it the way you do.

Yes 10 is too young. I am a hair dresser and I have had mom's bring their little ones in for hi lights. I don't disagree or judge but I know from experience that young girls not in puporty(?)the hi lights may not take. Then you have spent money for almost nothing. Also in my professional opinion why start something when it can lead into very high maintainance and lots of money. Don't worry when she gets to be a tween or teen this will start up and then it begins. Keep her hair healthy as long as you can. It is your decision:) Just keep this in mind. Your choice is ok no matter which way you go:)

My best advice would be to do it while you still have a say in it. Like you said she is taking her beauty cues from you, I have always believed that giving girls the right and more conservative help with beauty early on would actually help them in the long run. Who knows it may actually eliminate the bleach blonde hairdo, or the caked on make-up in the future.

10 is just fine!! Especialy if you are doing "subtle" highlights.

I dont think 10 is to younge for highlights my stepdaughter started dieing her hair around that age. Just wait till the younger girls want to be just like their big sister. I am going through that right now with my 6 year old she wants to be just like her 15 year old sister & do the things she is its not easy trying to explain to her that at that age her big sister wasnt doing all the things she does now. But in my opinion 10 is about the right age but only if she acts mature for her age not if shes 11 but acts 9 yeah know what I mean, but in deciding to do it you are her mother & you know her the best.

It all comes down to your decision, really. One of my in laws let her 5 year old get his hair bleached despite her families disdain. I would say 10 is old enough to make a rational choice on hair color. I plan on letting my daughter make those decisions as soon as she hits middle school. I think this is the best idea!

I agree, I think that it is fine. My daughter was about 11 when I let her get her hair done. I do have to say, my girls are 13 and 16 now and the hair was just the beginning. NOW it is nails too.(fingers and toes)and clothes clothes clothes.It can get a little expensive, but I look at it as our mother and daughter time. This is also when my girls like to talk about everything friends, boys, who doing what. Sometime too much info but it openings up communication.
C.

i don't think its too young at all. but i would try something temp first to make sure she likes it. they have toys that put wash out highlights in your hair, and you can even choose different colors. she may like that. kids at that age can change their minds a lot, so i would make sure she likes the way it looks before you make it permenant.

If you are asking yourself if she's too young, that's probably your intuition saying she is.

Good Morning J.~
Before becoming a SAHM I was a hairdresser. I dont think 10 is to young. My youngest client I ever did highlights on was 7. As a young girl, they are starting to explore themselves in the way of beauty. Fashion, jewelry etc. You can keep them suttle. Not to many. What I did with her (7 yr old) I just put a few on the top maybe about 15. Just enough so that she could see it and it wasnt overwhelming. She loved it and so did her mom. You may find that after that she wont want to do it again as to it is time consuming. It is also a nice change for a little while.
Have Fun with it.

A.

I think it's okay - a mommy and me special outing. Definitely subtle highlights for her and make sure it's safe for kids - harsh chemicals and all. I think it's a good way to get her interested in keeping up her appearance - as a teacher I've seen a lot of slovenly 5th graders.

Ya know, if shes a "good girl" and is making good 10 year old choices; why not? I think her wanting to be like mom is great. It dosent sound like shes asking so she can be a part of the "in-crowd". Another suggestion is maybe a semi-permanent color to do the highlights with. You could pick up a box for like $7 and see if the hairdresser will use it and do the foils and everything too. It washes out over a 28 day period and there is no ammonia and it dosent have a "lift" just a color deposit. You might also tell her why you get your hair done. Something along the lines of it being something that you do for yourself (not for anyone else) that makes you feel good; like painting your fingernails. Hope this helps. Good luck and I hope you girls have fun! :)

I think if you are willing to pay for it, and maintain them, go for it. 10 isn't too young IMO.

Hi J.,
It's hard to believe that our little girls grow up and then they become beautiful pre-teens. I remember being in fourth grade, glasses and having poker straight hair. My mother did allow me to get a perm, very subtle waves,and I continued perming throughout my teenage years. Fortunately,as I got older I finally appreciated my straight hair and haven't permed in years, but I do highlight my hair to now cover gray.Despite the chemicals added to my hair,even today it's still in very good condition,but thinking about my daughter today in fourth grade and what my mother allowed me to doback then, I would discourage her from perming or coloring her hair.I really hate to see girls learn so early on to become high maintenance, they are so beautiful naturally, I will admit though, she was so self-concious about the hair on her legs, I did let her start shaving this past summer, her father is Italian so her hair was quite dark and course.In the end, it's really how much your willing to spend and maintain the highlights, and where your comfort level is at the moment. Good Luck and God Bless.

Hey! This is the first time I've responded to any of these, but I just had to when I saw the subject. I think that there is no "right age". It depends on you and your daughter and how you feel about it. Some people will think "you let your daughter do WHAT?" others will think it's fine. I am a hair stylist and I started coloring and perming my sisters hair when she was about 8...I bleached the top of my own son's hair when he was 5...and I have had several clients that had their daughters hair done ranging from 7 to 13. So I think it is absolutely fine and a special treat for her birthday. Hope that helps! :)