While there’s no shortage of at-home highlighting kits and YouTube tutorials, this is not the time to DIY. “Yes, you can learn how to apply a foil or paint on some color, but that technique might just work for one type of haircut, and not yours,” explains George. Professional colorists can customize and tweak the color application to best enhance your hair style. Not to mention that they are trained to take into account things like skin tone and eye color when coming up with the best color palette for you. There’s also the matter of hair health. Because any type of highlights involve lightening the hair, there is a potential for some damage. The pros are not only trained how to use the color properly in order to minimize this damage, but can also incorporate strengthening treatments to help maintain the health and integrity of the hair. A favorite among colorists? The Redken pH-Bonder, an in-salon treatment that protects the bonds in the hair and reduces breakage during color services.