Hair color and highlights are two different variations of the same thing – changing the color of one’s hair. Hair color is usually the overall or main color of the hair. The term can also be referred to as the dye itself used to alter the color of the hair. http://encarta.msn.com/thesaurus_561595966/hair_dye.html

Highlights are small chunks or vertical strips of hair that have been dyed lighter or darker than the rest of the hair to create the illusion of depth, or to create a more unique appearance.http://www.lamasbeauty.com/glossary/glossary_H.htm#highlights Subtle highlights will make a dye-job look more natural, as natural hair reflects light in different ways, though more obvious or chunky highlights are there simply for the visual effect of vertical stripes and multiple colors. http://www.howtodothings.com/fashion-and-personal-care/a3206-how-to-highlight-hair.html

To create both an altered hair-color and highlight, multiple colors of hair dye must be used. When dying the hair lighter than its natural (or previous) color, the hair must first be bleached to a light blonde color before being adding the new color. http://www.howtodothings.com/fashion-and-personal-care/a3206-how-to-highlight-hair.html

Hair color and highlights are often meant to look natural. As such, colors like blonde, brown, auburn and black are common. Some people, however, prefer a more unique, custom, or shocking look, and opt for unnatural hair colors like blue, red, green, yellow or even white. Most of these colors can only be accomplished after the hair has been bleached to a very light blonde. White hair is often closer to light gray than true white, as white hair is extremely, if not completely, impossible to accomplish. http://haircrazy.info/dyeing-techniques/going-whitesilver/To get white hair, the wearer’s natural hair must be irreversibly damaged with the use of harsh chemicals, often ruining the hair completely. For cases of extreme unnatural hair colors such as this, many individuals will opt instead for a wig which is easier, cheaper, and does not require the hair to be damaged in any way.

While white hair requires extreme damaging of the hair, even the most subtle of changes in hair color can cause lasting or permanent damage.