Hair Highlights (somewhat urgent)

[Sinner]

So, my hair is sort of a medium brown with some natural highlights. I have VERY healthy hair and I'd like to keep it that way. I intend to get highlights tomorrow, so it'd be great if this question could be answered ASAP.
I want something like this.






The lady at the salon said she thinks a frosting cap (which uses bleach) will be perfect for this.. I have never high lighted or dyed my hair, and on Tuesday I start my first day at a new school, so this is very important to me that it be done correctly.
What do you guys know about highlights? I always thought they put in specific colors..but she said I would just need it bleached through a frosting cap. I do NOT want streaky looking hair. SO what do I need to do?

[Aletheia*]

All you need to do is trust your stylist. She went to school for this, and knows what she is doing. Make it clear that you don't want your hair to look streaky, then sit back and watch the magic happen. I don't know much about highlights, but I think if you want the looks in these pictures, the cap is the best way to go instead of foiling. Foiling the hair to do high lights might make the streaks look really large, instead of just small, natural looking highlights.

[Nicole!]

Originally Posted by Zelophobia

Foiling the hair to do high lights might make the streaks look really large, instead of just small, natural looking highlights.

It actually makes the colors stand out more because the aluminum helps retain the heat which processes the color. So don't get a foil if you don't want a streaky look.
A frosting cap will work, and I'd trust your stylist on this. They went to school to learn how to do processes such as this, and if they mess up they will fix it for free.
Bring in those pictures as a reference too.

Here is an article about highlighting with a frosting cap: http://www.hairfinder.com/tips/highlighting-cap.htm

[Sinner]

So bleaching is the right thing to use? I don't want a totally washed out color, or damaged hair. And once I get this done, will I need to use a special shampoo or anything like that?

[Aletheia*]

You could buy a shampoo that helps keep color in longer. Like Herbal Essences has shampoo's specific for something like this, but no, you don't really need to use a special shampoo. However, we're not hair stylists, and like we said before, you just need to trust that your stylist knows what he/she is doing. They went to school for this, and they know what they are doing. If they screw up, they'll fix it for free.

[Nicole!]

Originally Posted by Sinner

So bleaching is the right thing to use? I don't want a totally washed out color, or damaged hair. And once I get this done, will I need to use a special shampoo or anything like that?

You don't necessarily need to use bleach. Blonde tends to stay very well, its when you go darker that it can fade when you shower. As Shannon said, you can get a shampoo and conditioner made for color treated hair. Garnier's Color Shield is one I like.
But I used to be blonde and whenever I got highlights I continued to use whatever shampoo I wanted and it always stayed in. You just have to get it touched up every once in awhile (for me I waited around 4-6 months).