Preparing hair for highlights?

I am set to get highlights at my Aveda salon tomorrow. I know they generally don't wash hair prior to the foil highlights. I will wash at home before going but should I condition too or leave it off? What about gels or hairspray?

Preparing hair for highlights?

Actually whenever I have an appointment to highlight or color someone's hair I tell them that they do not even have to wash their hair at all. Hair colors best when it is a couple days "dirty" for some reason.However, if the client has really dry hair I may tell them to do a mayonnaise treatment a night or two prior to having the chemical service. They can do this by applying mayo(yes, plain old mayo), putting on a processing cap and applying heat with a blow dryer or by wrapping a hot towel around their head. The heat opens the cuticle allowing the mayo to penetrate the hair giving it a really deep treatment. If the thought or smell of mayo is something you don't think you would like then you can use another conditioner or another conditioner called Cholesterol which is sold at beauty supply stores. If your hair isn't in need of a pre-treatment then request your stylist do an after treatment if your hair feels like it was dried out from the highlights. Anyway, it doesn't matter if you wash your hair and apply conditioner prior to the service and it really doesn't matter if you use styling products prior to it either, so long as your hair isn't so stiff it hurts you to have the highlights done or makes your stylist's job harder on her. Make sure if you use mousse gel or hairspray that it can be easily brushed out. You don't even have to wash it, though, unless you just want to. I hope they look great!!!!!!!!! :)

Preparing hair for highlights?

Do not condition, gel or hairspray. These all add coatings to your hair that the product may not be able to penetrate as well to the hair as if you had just clean hair. Also for best results wash it the night before.

Preparing hair for highlights?

I would not wash it or anything. I find that when my hair is a little greasier it helps shield it from the drying effects of the colorant or lifting agent (bleach). Trust me, it's going to be clean when you come out of there.