Highlighting your hair at home can be tricky - especially when you have long, thick locks. That's a whole lot of hair to color! But it's not as hard as you might think. Read on for key tips that will give you gorgeous, face-framing highlights, specifically for long hair!

Because you have so much hair to get through, it's a good idea to practice first. Section off the strands you want to color, then use conditioner to paint them with pretend streaks. Once you're satisfied with where your faux highlights fall, snap a selfie and use the photo as a guide once you're ready to bust out the dye.

Big, chunky highlights are the best for long hair; if you make them too thin, the color can get lost. So make sure to use a highlighting kit that comes with a thick application tool, like L'Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Highlights. The easy-to-use brush is the perfect size for applying large lines of color.

Go slow when adding highlights to long hair. You can always add more if you don't see enough color the first time. Start with face-framing streaks around your crown, then work your way toward the back. If you're a fan of updos, paint on a few streaks underneath.

To keep your long, colored locks healthy, use a hair mask at least once a week. Redken Color Extend Magnetics Deep Attraction Mask is formulated especially for colored-treated hair. It softens, smooths and extends the life of your color.

Do you have any at-home highlighting tips for long hair? Share them in the comments!

Photo: Shutterstock