Michelle Healy Hair

No-bleach highlights are having a moment ✨ and for good reason.

If you’ve been craving dimension but don’t want that super-light, high-maintenance blonde life, this trend is the sweet spot: soft ribbons of brightness + blended contrast using high-lift color (instead of traditional bleach) when your hair is a good candidate.

Why people love it:
• Healthier feel (less aggressive than traditional lightener in many cases)
• Softer grow-out and a more “lived-in” look
• Lower maintenance
• Perfect for that expensive brunette / bronde vibe

Who’s a great candidate for no-bleach highlights?

✅ Naturally dark blonde to light brown
✅ Virgin hair or hair with minimal color history
✅ You want subtle-to-moderate brightness (not platinum)
✅ You love warm/neutral tones—honey, beige, caramel, soft golden bronde
✅ You prefer dimension and softness over super icy, high contrast blonde

Who may need bleach (or a hybrid)?

⚠️ Very dark hair (level 1–4/5) wanting bright blonde pieces
⚠️ Previously colored/dark boxed hair (color doesn’t lift like natural)
⚠️ You want icy/white blonde or super high brightness
⚠️ Heavy build-up, mineral deposits, or stubborn underlying warmth

The goal of no-bleach highlighting isn’t “blonde.”
It’s movement, shine, and dimension—with a gentler approach and gorgeous grow-out.

✨ Sometimes the most impactful change isn’t a full highlight — it’s a tonal shift. ✨

For this beauty, we’ve been doing highlights for a while, but this time we went with a copper gloss instead. The result? Softer dimension, incredible shine, and that warm glow that catches the light in the prettiest way. ☀️🍂

A gloss can completely refresh your look without the commitment of a full color. Would you try a tonal change for fall? 🍁

✨Let’s talk hair thinning✨

Hair thinning can happen for so many reasons — postpartum changes, stress, nutrition, and even early hormonal shifts as we approach perimenopause. It’s something I’ve personally experienced, especially around my hairline.

After having my boys, I noticed my hairline gradually thinning. I tried different products and routines, but nothing seemed to make a visible difference—until I started using Virtue’s Density Booster.

With consistent daily use, I began noticing new growth and improved fullness within 8 weeks. The formula strengthens fragile strands at the root, supports scalp health, and helps create an environment for thicker, healthier hair over time.

If you’re seeing similar changes—especially postpartum or pre-menopausally—know that your hair can absolutely recover with the right care and consistency. 💛

When you style your hair does it last as long as you want it to?

In my opinion there is one styling product that is often overlooked but extremely important if you want your hairstyle to last. Over the past couple of years blow dry brushes, Dyson’s Airwrap and thermal brushes have grown in popularity giving us the look of a beautiful bouncy blowout. While those tool innovations help us get the look we want, the most common feedback I get is that the style looks amazing, but within 30+ minutes it’s gone.

When you are putting time and energy into styling your hair it should last a majority of the day (as long as you don’t get stuck in a downpour ☂️). My number one tip is make sure you are using a good hairspray. It is essential for these bouncy styles! Is using hairspray part of your current styling routine? Swipe to see a couple of my favorite hairsprays ❤️

Are you struggling to figure out how to effectively use your Dyson Airwrap or any other hair tool that you have purchased?

Feel free to bring it in with you to your next hair appointment. We can go over how to best use it with your specific hair texture and density in mind so you can feel confident when you go to style your hair at home!

Seattle weather and what that means for YOUR hair… have you felt the change in the air? Yesterday morning our humidity level was 93% which means when you walked out the front door your hair did one of three things:

1. fell limp
2. expanded and became fluffy/frizzy
3. a combination of the two- limp at the roots and frizzy on the ends 🙋🏼‍♀️

Why does that happen?
The extra water in the air seeps into your hair causing your hair to revert back to its natural shape. The porosity of your hair also affects how your hair reacts to humidity. High porosity hair absorbs even more water which makes it frizzy.

What can you do about it?
When our humidity levels are high lean into styling your hair with its natural texture and use an anti humectant. If your hair is naturally straight wear it that way. If your hair is wavy or curly lean into that. If your hair is a combination of the two wearing your hair up in a bun or braid can be a good option.

Looking for a good anti-humectant product?
Framesi has a thermal protectant, uv protectant and an anti- humectant in each of their products. Their product ‘Stop Frizz’ has an extra dose of anti-humidity taming frizz, fly-aways and split ends for all hair types. 🤍

On the day of your hair appointment here are a few helpful guidelines to make the most of our appointment time together!

*please come in with your hair 100% dry if we are doing color.

*In general, coming to your color appointment with clean hair free of oils and other leave in treatments is best!

*feel free to come to your appointment with your hair styled how you typically wear it. It is very helpful for me to see your cut/color styled how you usually wear it especially if it is our first appointment together!

*if we are covering grays please have your hair clean and free of pigmented sprays.

Have any questions? Please don’t hesitate to ask!!

California dreamin ☀️ 7 years ago I went down to LA and did a week long training at Nine Zero One Salon. It was a fantastic experience where we learned current color and cutting techniques and worked on models. During my time down there one instructor really stood out- She is truly an expert in our craft and is so detailed in breaking down the techniques and placement of color. I am thrilled to be heading back down there next month to learn more from her!

It finally happened…
This past week several clients showed inspiration photos that I believe are AI generated images. The question I have is does it matter if the model is “real” or not for it to be hair inspiration?

In my opinion my answer is both yes and no. Over the years I have had people bring in photos of their hardwood floors, dog, sewing projects etc as inspiration for their hair. Inspiration can truly come from anything and anywhere. However, with those examples there was an understanding that it would look different because the inspiration was being translated to hair.

The challenge I have with AI generated images is that when people bring in these images they often think they are of real people and real hair. I think as long as it’s understood that these are AI generated images and that on real hair it will translate a bit differently I think they are another source for inspiration.
What are your thoughts? Can you tell when an image is AI generated?

Have you noticed the shift in what’s trending for blonde hair color?

•Medium blonde shades are having a big moment

•Think sandy blonde color that strike a balance between warm and cool tones

•Less ombre/less of a money piece and more of a balance between the amount of light and dark from roots to ends

•tiny woven highlights and/or lowlights to create a believable blonde that looks like your hair from your childhood

I hope 2024 is off to a great start for you! I wanted to share some trends for brunettes that we are seeing this year 🤎 What’s in for Brunettes:
☑️ subtle shimmery highlights
☑️ healthy shiny hair
☑️ colors that compliment your skin tone

What’s out for Brunettes:
❎ chunky highlights
❎ unnatural tones
❎ high contrast ombré