Which technique involves applying lighter strands of color to hair?

The technique that involves applying lighter strands of color to hair is foiling. When foiling, sections of hair are wrapped in thin sheets of foil after being coated with a lightening product, allowing for precise placement of color and highlighting. This method is particularly effective for creating defined, contrasting highlights or lowlights, as the foil traps heat, aiding in the lightening process and ensuring that the color develops consistently.

While balayage also involves lightening hair, it differs from foiling in that it is a freehand painting technique where color is applied directly to the hair without the use of foils. This results in a more natural, sun-kissed look rather than the structured highlights typically achieved with foiling.

Chromatics refers to a brand of hair color, and breezing is not a recognized technique in the context of hair coloring, helping to clarify why those choices are less applicable for this specific question.