Discover the Best Hair Highlights Near Me for Beautiful Hair
Looking for a way to transform your look with vibrant color and a fresh style? Hair highlights are a fantastic choice for enhancing your natural beauty and adding dimension to your locks. Whether you’re searching for the best salon to deliver an amazing result or simply want to explore new hair services, finding the right professionals “near me” is the key to achieving beautiful hair. From hidden gems in your zip code to top-rated hair salons in major cities (like right here in Houston), there are countless options to explore. With experienced hair stylists and salon professionals offering everything from expert hair coloring to deep conditioning treatments, you’re sure to find the perfect match for your needs. Let’s dive into how hair highlights can elevate your style and where to find the best services near you.
Why Hair Highlights Are Perfect for a Fresh Look
Hair highlights are a versatile way to achieve a fresh look, no matter your hair type or length. Whether you have long hair, short hair, curly hair, or straight styles, highlights can add depth and vibrancy to your locks. By enhancing your natural hair color with pops of vibrant color, highlights create a stunning, dimensional effect that complements your overall style*. In fact, the goal of highlights is often to add brightness and depth, making your hair look multi-tonal and lively*.
Highlights work for practically any hair type and texture. They can be customized to flatter thick or fine hair, and everything from bouncy curls to sleek straight hair can benefit from a few well-placed lighter strands. Professional stylists note that mixing highlights (lighter pieces) with lowlights (darker pieces) creates the illusion of volume, thickness, and depth – and importantly, highlights work for any hair type, blending seamlessly with your natural color*. This means you can achieve a beautiful result whether your hair is naturally dark or light, curly or straight.
Many people love highlights because they immediately refresh your appearance. Here are some key benefits of choosing highlights for a new look:
Adds Dimension and Shine: Highlights add depth, contrast, and shine to flat or one-dimensional hair, making your hairstyle more dynamic and eye-catching*. Even subtle, well-placed highlights reflect light and give your hair a multi-faceted glow, preventing any dull or “flat” look*.
Boosts Volume and Texture: By interweaving lighter tones, highlights can create an illusion of fuller volume and texture. The contrast between light and dark strands gives hair more body and movement*. This effect is especially great for fine or limp hair that needs a boost.
Enhances Natural Color: Highlights are an excellent way to enhance your natural hair coloring without doing a drastic overhaul. For example, adding warm caramel or honey highlights can add warmth and richness to brown hair, while pale blonde highlights can brighten up a blonde base*. The added streaks emphasize your natural tone and bring out the best in your base color.
Customized for You: Highlights are highly customizable. You can choose bold, chunky highlights for a dramatic style or soft, babylight highlights for a sun-kissed natural look. Because they can be tailored in color and placement, highlights are suitable for all ages and style preferences. They truly are “customizable to suit any style or preference” as one salon puts it*.
Perfect for a Fresh Season or Occasion: Many people opt for highlights when they want a “fresh look” for a new season (like lighter, brighter hair for summer) or a special occasion. A few face-framing highlights can instantly refresh your appearance and even complement your skin tone by brightening your features.
Low Commitment Options: If you’re hesitant to change your whole hair color, highlights are a great low-commitment option. You’re lightening only some strands, not all of your hair. Techniques like balayage or babylights grow out softly and are low-maintenance, meaning you won’t have harsh root lines and can go longer between touch-ups. It’s a way to get a new style without the upkeep of full color changes.
Healthy Hair, Beautiful Highlights: It’s worth noting that maintaining the health of your hair is crucial when doing highlights. Salons often recommend pairing highlights with nourishing hair treatments to keep your locks strong and shiny. For example, a professional deep conditioning treatment or hair mask can be applied after coloring to restore moisture and keep your highlighted hair looking its best*. Regular deep conditioning helps prevent dryness and breakage, protecting your fabulous new highlights from becoming dull – since hydrated hair is vibrant hair*. Many stylists also suggest treatments like Olaplex or bonding treatments during the highlighting process to minimize damage. So, if you’re getting highlights, consider also scheduling a deep conditioning treatment or gloss afterward to seal in shine and maintain hair health.
Finally, if you want to change the texture of your hair in addition to the color, highlights can be combined with other services. For example, some clients get a haircut or even a hair straightening treatment (such as a blowout or keratin service) along with highlights to completely reinvent their style in one go. Just be sure to consult with your stylist—if it’s your first time getting highlights or any major chemical service, they will guide you on the best way to achieve your desired fresh look while keeping your hair healthy.
Top Salons and Beauty Services Near You
Finding the right place for your hair highlights starts with exploring the hidden gems in your area. In your search for “hair highlights near me,” you might discover excellent salons right in your neighborhood that you never knew about. These hidden gems often provide highly personalized service at an affordable price – truly the best of both worlds for a beauty makeover. Of course, you’ll also want to consider the well-known, top-rated hair salons in your region, as they usually have strong reputations for doing an amazing job with hair color.
What should you look for in the best hair salons near you? Start by checking reviews and seeing what services they offer. Many modern salons are actually full-service salon and spa studios, meaning they don’t just do hair – they offer a variety of salon services to pamper you from head to toe. For example, some hair studios double as beauty salons that provide nail care and skin care in addition to hair services. It’s not uncommon to find a place that offers haircuts, coloring services, hair extensions, and styling, alongside nail services (manicures/pedicures)
When exploring options, consider visiting or calling a hair studio that has a diverse menu of services. If a salon offers everything from women’s haircuts and men’s haircuts to color, highlights, hair treatments (like conditioning masks or smoothing treatments), and even spa-like services, it’s likely they have a well-rounded team. Full-service salons often hire expert staff and specialists in different areas. Industry guides note that a full-service salon will have professional help for each need – nails, skin, and hair – all under one roof*. The benefit is you get convenience and quality together. You could get a fresh set of highlights, then perhaps a trim, and even have your nails done while you’re there.
Another advantage of top salons (whether large or a small boutique studio) is the level of expertise. The best salons pride themselves on having stylists with years of experience. Most salons prefer hiring staff who have a lot of experience and keep up with the latest hairstyles and products*. Experienced stylists are often up-to-date on the latest style trends and techniques, like balayage or the newest highlighting methods. They also tend to use high-quality products that protect your hair. So when searching for highlights near you, look for a salon that mentions the experience level of their team or showcases advanced training (for example, many colorists will be certified in specific color techniques).
Don’t forget to consider barbershops or men’s salons as well if you’re looking for highlights for shorter hair or for men. Some barbershops and unisex salons offer coloring services (like blending grays or subtle highlights) for male clients. The term “hair highlights near me” isn’t just for women’s salons – there are talented colorists in many barbershops and men’s grooming shops too, if that suits your needs.
Affordable Options: Worried about price? Top-rated salons sometimes charge a premium, but you can often find a range of pricing options. Look out for salons that offer single-process color (one overall hair color) at a lower price if highlights (which are more labor-intensive) are out of budget – many salons have junior stylists or certain days with discounts for new clients. Additionally, some high-end salons run special events or new client promotions that can make services more affordable. Don’t be shy about calling and asking if they have any offers for first-time clients (the phrase “first time”might even get you a discount or a bonus treatment!).
Gift Cards and Specials: Another tip – salons frequently offer gift cards, which can be a great way to save or treat someone. If a birthday or holiday is coming up, you could ask for (or gift) a salon gift card that covers a highlight service. It’s a thoughtful present for someone who needs a fresh look. Some salons also have referral programs or email offers(for example, joining their email list might get you a coupon or alert you to seasonal deals on coloring services).
When looking for the best place to get highlights, make use of modern tools. You can browse a salon directory or search platforms like Yelp and Google Maps by typing “hair highlights near [Your Zip Code]” to get a quick list of options. Read through the salon reviews – look for comments about the coloring services and results. If people mention they got an “amazing job” with highlights at a particular salon, that’s a good sign! Pay attention to reviews that mention specific stylists’ names, years of experience, or the salon’s atmosphere and cleanliness as well. Personal recommendations from friends or family in your area are invaluable too – word of mouth often reveals the hidden gem salons that may not spend a lot on advertising.
Lastly, consider the location and vibe that you prefer. Do you want a trendy downtown salon, a cozy boutique studio, or a family-friendly neighborhood beauty salon? Maybe you’re in a bustling area like Houston’s Rice Village or the Heights – there, you’ll find salons that have been featured in magazines and offer luxurious experiences. Or perhaps you prefer a quiet, smaller salon that gives more personalized attention. Define what “best” means for you (is it the fanciest decor, the most skilled stylist, the best price, or the quickest commute?) and choose accordingly. The great thing is, with so many salons and beauty services out there, you can be picky until you find your perfect match.
How to Choose the Right Hair Professionals for Highlights
Once you have a list of potential salons or stylists, how do you narrow it down to the right one for your highlights? Here are some friendly tips to guide you through choosing salon professionals who will make your hair goals a reality:
1. Check Their Expertise: Not all hair professionals specialize in color. Look for a stylist or colorist who specifically highlights (pun intended!) their experience with hair coloring and highlights. Many salons have profiles for each stylist on their website, often mentioning specialties like “balayage expert” or “master colorist with X years of experience.” Choosing a hair colorist with solid experience is important – an experienced colorist knows how to preserve your hair’s health while achieving the perfect shade*. If a salon’s website or salon directory listing shows that they handle a lot of highlight appointments (maybe they even showcase before-and-after photos of highlights), that’s a good sign.
2. Look for Licensed and Well-Trained Stylists: Make sure the salon’s staff are licensed cosmetologists (in the U.S., professionals need a license to practice). Beyond that, see if they have additional training or certifications. For example, some might be certified in specific color systems or attended advanced workshops. A stylist who stays current on education likely knows the latest trends and techniques, which is great for you as a client. Many top salons ensure ongoing training for their team, because techniques for highlights (like foiling vs. balayage or new coloring products) evolve over time.
3. Diversity of Services: It can be a plus if the salon offers both women’s haircut and men’s haircut services, as well as color. Why? This often reflects a versatile skill set among the staff. If a salon can cater to the whole family (women, men, maybe even kids) and provide everything from basic cuts to advanced color corrections, they likely have a well-rounded team. Versatility shows that the salon professionals are adaptable and experienced with different hair types and needs.
4. Consultation and Communication: Before booking a full highlight service, you can sometimes book a consultation (often complimentary or low-cost). During a consultation, pay attention to how the stylist communicates. Do they listen to your ideas and make suggestions? A good colorist will consider factors like your skin tone, eye color, and current hair condition before deciding on highlight colors*. They should also be honest about what’s achievable in one session and how much upkeep a certain look will need. If you feel comfortable asking them questions and they provide clear answers (in a way a seventh-grader could understand!), that’s a great sign. You want someone who explains the process, so you’re not left in the dark with foils in your hair wondering what’s happening.
5. Online Booking and Convenience: In today’s busy world, convenience matters. Salons that offer online booking or a booking app can make your life a lot easier. In fact, did you know that about 70% of customers prefer to book appointments online rather than by phone?* Peo
6. Perks and Atmosphere: Little things can make a difference in choosing your go-to hair studio. Consider what kind of atmosphere you enjoy – do you want a chic, upscale environment with offered beverages, or something more laid-back and family-oriented? Read reviews or check the salon’s social media to get a feel for the ambiance. Also, think about practical perks: Is parking available or is it in a convenient location? Do they offer any extras like a complimentary deep conditioning treatment for new clients or a loyalty program? Some salons send out email offers or have an email listnewsletter that gives subscribers deals on services (for example, a discount on highlights during your birthday month). If you plan to be a repeat customer, these perks add up! And if the salon offers gift cards, it can be a sign that they value customer loyalty and referrals – you might even snag a deal like “buy $100 gift card, get $10 free” during holidays, which you can use for your future highlight touch-up.
In short, choosing the right professionals comes down to finding skilled, experienced stylists in a salon environment that makes you feel comfortable and valued. Take your time to do a little research: browse the salon’s website for stylist bios, scroll their Instagram for photos of highlight work, and read those reviews. When you find a place where clients rave “this is the best salon for highlights and hair color – they did an amazing job on my hair,” you can feel more confident you’re making the right choice.
(And if you’re in Houston, for example, we humbly suggest checking out Studio A Salon – our team has a passion for gorgeous highlights and we tick all the boxes above! 
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Get Started with Hair Highlights for a New Look Today
Ready to transform your hair and boost your confidence? Getting started with hair highlights is easier than ever. Once you’ve found a salon and stylist you trust, it’s time to book your appointment and look forward to a brand new you! Most salons encourage clients to book online or call ahead – don’t be afraid to snag that slot. Remember, many clients schedule beauty services outside of typical business hours, so an online booking option means you can pick a time that fits your schedule (even if it’s midnight on a Tuesday when you remember to book!).
Schedule Your Appointment: If you’ve done a consultation, you likely have a game plan for what kind of highlights you want (whether it’s subtle balayage highlights or bold platinum streaks). When booking, make sure to allocate enough time – a highlight appointment can take anywhere from 1 to 3+ hours depending on if you’re getting partial highlights (just the crown or face-framing pieces) or full highlights, and whether additional services like toning, a haircut, or styling are included. It’s truly a booking experience that’s about you, so clear your schedule and treat it like “me time.”
Prepare for Your Visit: On the day of, you might want to wear a shirt that’s easy to take off (so you don’t mess up your hair after, a button-down is perfect) and come with your hair in its natural state (avoid heavy styling products or ponytail dents that day, so your stylist can easily work with your hair). If it’s your first time getting highlights, arrive a few minutes early to fill out any intake forms – some salons ask about your hair history (e.g., previous dyes or hennas used) to ensure the coloring goes smoothly.
During the Service: Sit back and relax! The process may involve sectioning your hair, applying foils or plastic wrap (if foiling or balayage techniques), and some waiting time as the color processes. Bring a book or enjoy chatting with your stylist. Many salons will offer you a beverage and have magazines – they want you to enjoy the pampering. You’ll likely get to rinse out at the shampoo bowl (possibly with a toner applied to perfect the shade) and maybe even a nice scalp massage during the wash. Then the exciting reveal happens during the blow-dry and style, when you see your new highlights in full effect!
Aftercare: Once you have those gorgeous highlights, your stylist will probably give you some hair care tips. Common advice includes using a sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo and conditioner to prolong the life of your color, not skipping your conditioner or hair masks, and minimizing heat styling or at least using heat protectant. They might recommend scheduling a deep conditioning treatment every few weeks, or at least doing at-home hair masks weekly, to keep your highlighted hair healthy and shiny*. Healthy hair really does make the color look better and last longer. Also, if you went significantly lighter, they may suggest a purple or blue shampoo (if you’re blonde) to keep brassiness away, or a follow-up gloss treatment in 6-8 weeks to refresh the tone.
Finally, don’t forget to book your follow-up if needed. Some people refresh partial highlights every 8-12 weeks; others may go longer. If you did a very subtle balayage, you might not need a touch-up for a few months. But it’s a good idea to plan ahead – many salons let you book your next appointment as you check out (or you can do it on the spot via their app). Keeping on top of your appointments ensures your hair stays looking salon-fresh year-round.
Time to Shine: With your appointment set and your hair care knowledge in hand, you are all set to embark on your hair highlight journey. Imagine yourself walking out of the salon with face-framing highlights catching the light, or with a dramatic new contrast in your hair that turns heads. It’s such a confidence boost! Beautiful, highlighted hair can make you feel like the best version of yourself.
So go ahead – schedule your appointment today with that salon you’ve researched (if you’re in Houston, we’d love to welcome you at Studio A Salon!). Getting hair highlights could be the beginning of an exciting new look for you. From subtle changes to bold transformations, the possibilities are endless when you have talented stylists by your side.
Now that you know all about highlights and how to find the best services near you, let’s answer some common questions in a casual way. Below is a conversational FAQ to address some things you might still be curious about.
FAQ: Discover the Best Hair Highlights Near Me for Beautiful Hair
Q: What exactly are hair highlights and will they damage my hair?
A: Hair highlights are sections of your hair that are lightened to be a few shades brighter than your natural color. They can be done through techniques like foils or balayage. The idea is to add streaks of lightness that give your hair more dimension and brightness. Will they damage your hair? When done professionally and cared for properly, highlights should not cause significant damage. A skilled stylist uses high-quality lighteners and often adds bond protectors to minimize harm. They’ll also usually recommend conditioning treatments to keep your hair healthy. Think of it this way: any time you chemically treat hair there’s some impact, but with a pro colorist and good after-care (like conditioner and masks), your hair can remain strong and shiny. Plenty of people have highlights for years and maintain very healthy hair by following their stylist’s maintenance tips.
Q: How do I choose the right highlight color for my hair?
A: Great question! The best highlight color for you depends on your current hair color, your skin tone, and the look you’re going for. A general rule: stay within a few shades of your base color for a natural look. For example, if you have medium brown hair, warm caramel or honey blonde highlights will look soft and sun-kissed. If you have dark brown or black hair and want a pop, you might go for copper or auburn highlights for warmth, or cooler toffee tones. Blondes might add even lighter pieces like icy platinum or pale beige for contrast. And redheads could play with strawberry blonde pieces. It can get overwhelming, so here’s the easy part – during a consultation, your stylist will help you pick a tone. They might hold swatches up to your hair or show you photos. Take into account your skin undertone: warm skin tones usually glow with golden or warm highlights, while cooler skin tones shine with ashy or cool-toned highlights. Ultimately, bring inspiration pictures of hair you love – saying “I want highlights like this” is super helpful for your colorist to understand your vision.
Q: I have curly hair. Can I still get highlights without messing up my curls?
A: Absolutely, curly hair looks amazing with highlights! In fact, highlights can enhance curls by adding dimension – each curl catching a bit of light and color can really make your whole style pop. The key is to go to a stylist experienced with curly hair. They might use special techniques (like Pintura highlights, a method designed for curls) to apply the color in a way that complements your curl pattern. Highlights on curly hair can enhance texture and add depth, making each coil stand out beautifully*. After highlighting, maintaining moisture is crucial (curly hair tends to be dry, and the coloring can dry it more). So, load up on that conditioner and maybe diffuse dry your curls with a heat protectant. But don’t worry – when done right, highlights will not ruin your curls. In fact, you’ll likely love the result: bouncy, defined curls with little ribbons of light reflecting off them!
Q: What’s the difference between partial highlights and full highlights?
A: It comes down to how much of your hair is being highlighted. Partial highlights typically mean the stylist adds highlights to just part of your hair. Usually, this is the top layer and maybe pieces around the face. Think of partials as concentrating on the areas people see most when your hair is down – it gives you a lightened effect on top, but your underneath hair might remain your natural color. This is great for a subtle look or if you wear your hair in certain styles. Full highlights mean they put foils or paint highlights throughout your entire mane – top, sides, back, and even underneath layers. Full highlights give a more dramatic, all-over blonde or multi-tonal look. It’s a bigger transformation since most of your hair will be lighter. Partial is less time (and usually less cost) than full. Some people start with partial to test out highlights, and later do full if they want more. There’s also something called a face-frame highlight (just a few around the face for a pop) or babylights (very fine, subtle highlights all over) – so there are lots of options! Your stylist can recommend which is best based on your goals.
Q: How often do I need to touch up my highlights?
A: This depends on how fast your hair grows and the type of highlights you got. Generally, traditional foil highlights might need a touch-up every 6-8 weeks if you don’t like your roots showing. However, many modern techniques are designed to grow out gracefully. For example, balayage (hand-
Q: I tried highlighting my hair at home and it didn’t turn out great. Can a salon fix it?
A: Oh no! The dreaded at-home oops – it happens. Maybe the highlights turned out brassy or streaky or just not what you envisioned. Don’t worry, professional colorists are basically hair magicians when it comes to color correction. Yes, a salon can fix it. What you’ll need is a color correction appointment – be sure to mention when booking that you have a botched highlight job so they schedule enough time. The stylist might do a few things: they could add lowlights or darker pieces if it’s too light/stripey, they could re-lighten sections that didn’t lift correctly, or they might tone everything to a prettier shade. In some cases, if things are really off, they might suggest doing an all-over color to reset and then add new highlights in. It can take multiple steps, but professionals deal with these situations often, so you’re in good hands. The key is: don’t try to fix it with another box or bleach at home – you could make it harder to correct. Go in for a consultation; the stylist will come up with a game plan to get you to a hair color you love. And hey, consider it a lesson learned – next time, those tricky highlights are probably best left to the pros who do it every day.
Q: Are there any trends in highlights I should know about?
A: Definitely! Hair color trends are always evolving, and highlights are no exception. One popular trend of recent years is balayage, which we mentioned – it’s still very “in” because it gives that low-maintenance, grown-out, beachy highlight look. Within balayage, specific styles like “lived-in highlights” or “smoky balayage” (more cool-toned) have been trendy. Face-framing highlights (sometimes called the “money piece”) are super popular – that’s where the front strands on either side of your face are lightened a lot to really pop (think of Beyoncé or many celebs who sport that bright face frame). Another trend is babylights, which are very fine highlights that mimic how a child’s hair might naturally lighten in the sun – these are great if you want something ultra subtle and evenly blended. For those who love creativity, there are peekaboo highlights (hidden underlayers of bright colors that show when you move or pull your hair up). Also, color-wise, we see seasonal trends: for example, rich caramel highlights or bronde (brown-
Q: How do I maintain my highlighted hair at home so it stays beautiful?
A: Maintaining highlighted hair is key to keeping it looking salon-fresh and “beautiful” between visits. Here are some friendly at-home care tips:
Use Color-Safe Shampoo and Conditioner: Invest in products formulated for colored or highlighted hair. These are gentler and help prevent your color from washing out or fading quickly. Many have extra moisture too, which highlighted hair needs.
Don’t Overwash: If you can, wash your hair less frequently (every other day or every two days is great) because over-shampooing can fade color and dry out your hair. On off days, you can use a dry shampoo to freshen up.
Deep Condition Weekly: As mentioned earlier, a weekly hair mask or deep conditioning treatment is almost a must for highlighted hair*. It keeps your hair hydrated, strong, and shiny. Think of it as giving your hair a big drink of water – hydrated hair is happy hair, and it keeps those highlights from looking dull.
Protect from Heat: Heat styling tools (blow dryers, flat irons, curling wands) can be extra harsh on hair that’s been lightened. Always spritz on a heat protectant before styling with heat. And whenever possible, air dry or use lower heat settings. Your hair will thank you by looking smoother and keeping the color better.
Sun Protection: This one people often forget – the sun can bleach and alter the tone of your highlights (blondes can get brassy, for instance) and also dry your hair out. If you’re going to be in strong sun, wear a hat or use a hair product that contains UV protection. There are leave-in sprays now with SPF for hair. Chlorine from pools can also mess with highlighted hair (turning it icky green or extremely dry it out), so if you swim, wet your hair with clean water first and apply a leave-in conditioner before jumping in; it fills your hair so it soaks up less chlorine. Or wear a swim cap if you’re really serious about protection.
Use a Toning Shampoo if Needed: Depending on your highlight color, a purple shampoo (for blondes) or blue shampoo (for brunettes with highlights) once a week can keep brassiness away and maintain that beautiful tone. These colored shampoos deposit tiny amounts of color to counteract any yellow/orange in the hair. Just don’t overdo them, as they can sometimes give a violet tint if used too much – once a week or every other week is usually plenty.
Regular Trims: This might not sound color-related, but keeping your ends trimmed of split ends will make your highlighted hair look healthier overall. Dry, split ends can make even the best color look frizzy or dull, so a quick trim every couple of months helps your hair look its best.
By following these tips, your highlights will stay looking luminous and your hair will remain in great condition. Plus, when you return to the salon, your stylist will be thrilled that you took good care – it’ll make any touch-up easier and the results even more gorgeous.
We hope this FAQ has been helpful and that you feel excited and informed about getting the best hair highlights near you. Beautiful, dimensional hair is just an appointment away. If you have more questions or you’re ready to take the plunge, reach out to your local salon (if you’re in Houston, come say hi to us at Studio A Salon!). Here’s to beautiful hair and a confident, fresh new you! 
*Sources:
Redken – Everything You Need to Know About Hair Highlights redken.comredken.com
The Right Hairstyles – Subtle Highlights Add Depth and Warmth therighthairstyles.com
Bob Shoda Blog – Highlights Work for Any Hair Type & Add Volume bobshoda.combobshoda.com
eSalon – Deep Conditioning Keeps Highlights Vibrant esalon.com
Strikingly Beauty Blog – Experienced Staff and Full-Service Salon Benefits besthairsalonguidezz.
mystrikingly.com besthairsalonguidezz.mystrikingly.com SalonBiz (2023) – 70% of Clients Prefer Online Booking salonbizsoftware.com
Sunday Salon – Dimensional Color Benefits (Volume, Vibrancy, Customization) sunday.salon
Hermosa Hair – Highlights Enhance Curls with Illumination
Posted on 10/21/2025 at 01:14 PM
