Instead, opt for a shade that’s just a few shades darker than your natural hair color to create subtle dimension and depth. If you’ve lighter highlights or balayage, it's best to choose a lowlight color that complements those tones, rather than clashes with them. For example, if you’ve golden blonde highlights, a warm caramel or honey brown lowlight would be a great choice. Additionally, taking into account your skin tone is crucial in selecting the right lowlight color. Warmer skin tones pair well with rich, warm lowlights, while cooler skin tones tend to look best with cooler, ashier lowlights.
How Do I Choose Lowlights?
When it comes to choosing the perfect lowlights shade for your hair, there are a few expert tips and advice to keep in mind. The general rule of thumb is to select a shade that’s within three shades darker than your base color. This ensures that the lowlights will blend seamlessly with your natural hair and create a subtle, flattering contrast.
One of the first factors to consider when choosing lowlights is your current base color. Take note of whether your base color is warm or cool-toned, as this will impact the shade of lowlights that will complement it best. For warm-toned bases, opt for lowlights with golden or caramel undertones. Cooler bases, on the other hand, can be enhanced with lowlights in ash or cool brown shades.
Additionally, consider the overall look you want to achieve with your lowlights. On the other hand, if you want a bolder contrast and more dimension, choose a shade that’s noticeably darker than your base. This can create a striking and eye-catching effect.
Lastly, remember to consult with a professional hairstylist who can analyze your base color, skin tone, and desired outcome. They can offer personalized advice and help you choose the perfect lowlights shade that suits you best.
Different Techniques for Applying Lowlights (i.e. Foils, Balayage, Etc.)
- Foils
- Balayage
- Hair painting
- Reverse balayage
- Highlights with lowlights
- Babylights
- Teasing technique
- Slicing technique
- Dip-dye technique
- Ombre
Instead of getting too many highlights that might overpower your hair color, lowlights offer a solution by adding contrast and dimension. These subtle touches help prevent a lack of highs and lows, rejuvenating your overall look and adding depth to your hair.
Why Should I Get Lowlights?
Lowlights create a gorgeous and natural-looking hair color by adding depth and dimension to your existing shade. This technique involves adding darker tones to the hair strands, which helps in achieving a more balanced and multidimensional look. While highlights can lighten your overall tone, too many of them can sometimes result in a lack of contrast and depth, making your hair appear flat and dull.
These darker strands can blend seamlessly with your natural hair, creating a stunning and harmonious effect. The contrasting shades not only add visual interest but also help to break up a solid color, making it look more dynamic and alive.
Moreover, lowlights can be incredibly versatile, allowing you to experiment with different tones and shades. You can opt for soft and natural-looking lowlights that are just a shade or two darker than your base color, or you can go for bolder and more dramatic options. The choice is entirely up to you and can be tailored to your personal style and preferences.
The added depth and dimension create an illusion of volume, making your locks look more luscious and voluminous. This is especially beneficial for those with fine or thinning hair, as lowlights can effectively camouflage any visible scalp or sparse areas.
Benefits of Lowlights for Different Hair Types: Explore How Lowlights Can Enhance and Complement Different Hair Types, Such as Curly, Straight, or Textured Hair.
Lowlights can be a great option to enhance and complement different hair types, regardless of whether you’ve curly, straight, or textured hair. By adding depth and dimension to your hair, lowlights can create beautiful contrast and make your hair look more vibrant and lively.
For curly hair, lowlights can help define and accentuate the natural texture, adding definition and visual interest. They can create a multidimensional effect that brings out the natural beauty of the curls.
Straight hair can also benefit from lowlights, as they can add depth and texture to the strands, making the hair appear thicker and fuller. Lowlights can create a more dynamic look, providing subtle variation and creating an illusion of movement.
Textured hair, such as waves or beachy waves, can be enhanced with lowlights to give a more natural and sun-kissed appearance. Lowlights can help create dimension and bring out the different layers and textures in the hair, adding a touch of warmth and richness.
No matter what hair type you have, lowlights can be a versatile option to consider when looking to change or enhance your hair color. Consulting with a professional colorist can help you choose the perfect lowlight color that will flatter your hair type and skin tone, achieving a beautiful and natural-looking result.
Source: What Are Lowlights & When To Ask For Them – Bangstyle
When it comes to creating lowlights in your hair, many experts recommend using demi-permanent or permanent hair color over highlights. This is because these types of hair color are generally considered less damaging to the hair.
Do You Use Permanent Hair Color for Lowlights?
When it comes to choosing a color for lowlights, many experts suggest using a demi-permanent or permanent hair color. These options are generally considered to be less damaging on the hair compared to highlights.
This type of color gradually fades over time, allowing for a more natural and blended look. It’s especially beneficial for those who want to experiment with different shades without committing to a permanent change.
Permanent color is ideal for individuals who want a more dramatic and long-lasting change, while demi-permanent color offers a softer and more temporary effect.
When choosing a lowlight color, it’s important to consider your natural hair color and skin tone. The goal is to enhance your natural features and create a harmonious look. For those with warm undertones, shades like caramel, honey, and golden brown can complement their complexion. Cool-toned individuals may opt for ashy or cool brown lowlights to add depth and dimension.
Consulting with a professional colorist is highly recommended when choosing a lowlight color. They’ve expertise in analyzing your hair type, color, and skin tone to recommend the most suitable shades. Additionally, they can provide advice on maintaining your lowlights and offer tips on at-home care to prolong their vibrancy.
The choice between the two depends on personal preference and desired results.
Conclusion
Instead, opt for a shade that’s just a few shades darker or even a tone-on-tone option. This will create depth and dimension to your hair while still keeping it natural-looking. If you're looking to add contrast and drama, go for a deeper, contrasting lowlight color. On the other hand, if you prefer a more subtle and blended look, stick with a lowlight color that’s closer to your base color.