SmartStyle
SmartStyle - Houghton Lake
2129 W Houghton Lake Dr
Houghton Lake, MI 48629
Mon–Fri Closed · Sat 9:00 am - 6:00 pm · Sun 10:00 am - 5:00 pmSat 9:00 am - 6:00 pm · Sun 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Adult $24 · Kids $19
Highlights · Houghton Lake, MI · Spring 2026
Highlights in Houghton Lake, MI
Quick answer: Highlights services in Houghton Lake, MI start at $55 at SmartStyle. 1 location accepts walk-ins 7 days a week in Houghton Lake, with online booking available at every salon.
- Walk-Ins Welcome
- No Appointment Needed
- Open 7 Days
- Online Booking
- Honest local prices
- Highlights in Houghton Lake
- 1
- Starting from
- $55
- Time
- 90-150 min
- Walk-ins
- Welcome
About this service
What highlights includes at our Houghton Lake salons
Highlights add dimension by lifting selected strands of hair to a lighter shade than the base color. The technique uses foils or balayage to isolate the strands during processing. Three common variants: full highlights cover the entire head for maximum brightness change, partial highlights focus on the top and around the face for a subtler effect, and mini highlights use a smaller foil count for the most natural look. Pricing varies by hair length and the extent of placement (mini, partial, or full). Most walk-in salons offer toner application as part of the service to ensure the lift lands at the desired tone.
A highlight appointment runs 90-150 minutes depending on length and placement extent. After consultation, the stylist sections the hair and weaves selected strands into foils, applying lightener to each. Foils typically process 30-45 minutes. After rinsing, a toner is applied and processes 10-20 minutes to refine the final shade. Then a shampoo, conditioner, and finishing blow dry. Most clients leave with a noticeable but natural-looking dimension change.
Spring 2026 angle
Highlights in Houghton Lake this spring
Spring highlight bookings spike from late March through May. Most colorists recommend a partial highlight in spring (rather than full) to leave room for natural sun-lightening through summer.
Spring graduation, Mother's Day, and prom season drive up booking demand by mid-April.
Available at
Highlights salons in Houghton Lake, MI
1 location offering highlights in Houghton Lake. Houghton Lake, MI is served by a SmartStyle inside the local Walmart Supercenter — convenient for shoppers who want a quick walk-in haircut while running errands.
- Walk-ins
Pricing
Highlights pricing in Houghton Lake
Highlights pricing in Houghton Lake ranges from $55-$110 depending on the salon brand, hair length, and specific tier of service. Below are the typical price tiers across SmartStyle:
| Tier | Typical price | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Mini highlights - Short | $65 | 90 min |
| Partial highlights | $55-$65 | 90-105 min |
| Mini highlights - Long | $85-$95 | 105-120 min |
| Full highlights | $110 | 120-150 min |
What to expect
The highlights process at our Houghton Lake salons
- 1
Consultation
Discuss desired brightness level, placement (face-frame, top, all over), and any prior color.
- 2
Sectioning + weaving
Hair is sectioned and strands selected for lifting based on placement plan.
- 3
Foil application
Lightener is applied to selected strands in foils — section by section.
- 4
Processing
Foils process 30-45 minutes depending on starting color and target lift.
- 5
Rinse + tone
Foils removed, hair shampooed, then toner applied 10-20 minutes for tone control.
- 6
Finish
Final shampoo, conditioner, blow dry, and style.
Time estimate
90-150 minutes
Recommended frequency
Full highlights: every 10-12 weeks. Partial highlights: every 8 weeks. Toner-only refresh: every 4-6 weeks.
Houghton Lake tips
Tips for booking highlights in Houghton Lake
Houghton Lake, MI is served by a SmartStyle inside the local Walmart Supercenter — convenient for shoppers who want a quick walk-in haircut while running errands.
Weekday mornings and early afternoons are typically the shortest walk-in windows at most US locations.
Before your appointment
- Come in unwashed for 24 hours — natural oils protect during processing
- Bring inspiration photos — placement language matters more than verbal description
- Plan a 2-hour window minimum
After your service
- Use purple shampoo weekly to keep brassy tones at bay (especially blondes)
- Avoid chlorinated pools first 1-2 weeks — chlorine pulls toner faster than regular shampooing
- Heat protectant before any hot tool use — lightened hair is more porous and prone to damage
Local detail
About Houghton Lake, MI
Houghton Lake is a resort community in Roscommon County surrounding Michigan's largest inland lake, attracting snowmobilers in winter and boaters in summer. The SmartStyle inside Walmart on W Houghton Lake Dr serves both year-round residents and seasonal visitors.
Neighborhoods we serve
- Houghton Lake Village
- Prudenville area
- St Helen area
- Roscommon area
Best time to walk in
Closed Monday. Open Tuesday through Sunday. Summer weekends see a surge from lake visitors. Winter snowmobile season also drives walk-in traffic. Mid-week mornings are consistently the fastest.
Parking
Free parking in the Walmart supercenter lot on W Houghton Lake Dr.
Transit
Houghton Lake is car-dependent. M-55 and M-18 make the location accessible from surrounding resort communities.
Highlights in Houghton Lake — FAQs
Quick answers about highlights pricing, walk-in availability, and what to expect at Houghton Lake salons.
- Where can I get highlights in Houghton Lake, MI?
- 1 salon offers highlights in Houghton Lake: SmartStyle - Houghton Lake. Houghton Lake, MI is served by a SmartStyle inside the local Walmart Supercenter — convenient for shoppers who want a quick walk-in haircut while running errands.
- How much does highlights cost in Houghton Lake?
- Highlights services in Houghton Lake cost $55-$110 depending on the salon, hair length, and exact service tier. SmartStyle all post pricing on their service menus and can give you an exact quote at your appointment.
- Can I walk in for highlights in Houghton Lake?
- Yes. All 1 SmartStyle location in Houghton Lake accept walk-ins. Weekday mornings and early afternoons are typically the shortest walk-in windows at most US locations.
- How much do highlights cost at a walk-in salon?
- Mini highlights start around $65 (short hair) and rise to $95 for extra long. Partial highlights run $55-65. Full highlights cost $110 across most lengths. Toners are usually included; specialty placements cost more.
- What is the difference between partial and full highlights?
- Partial highlights cover the top and front (face-framing) area only — about half the head. Full highlights cover the entire head, including the back and underneath layers. Partial costs less and grows out more naturally; full creates a more dramatic brightness change.
- How long do highlights last?
- Highlights themselves don't fade — the toner does. Most clients refresh tone every 4-6 weeks, with new full highlights every 10-12 weeks for maintenance. Timeline tightens in humid or sun-heavy climates.
- Are Houghton Lake salons offering highlights open on Sundays?
- Yes. Houghton Lake SmartStyle locations are open Sundays — typical Sunday hours are 10am to 6pm or similar.
- What is the best time to walk in for highlights in Houghton Lake?
- Weekday mornings and early afternoons are typically the shortest walk-in windows at most US locations. For services that take longer than 30 minutes (like color or balayage), calling ahead 1-2 hours often secures a same-day slot.
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