Hair Lowlights: Add Depth and Dimension to Your Look

Lowlights are the unsung heroes of the hair coloring world, offering a way to add depth, dimension, and subtle sophistication to your locks. Unlike highlights, which brighten your hair by adding lighter shades, lowlights work their magic by introducing darker tones. This creates a multi-dimensional effect that can make your hair look richer and more voluminous without being overly dramatic. While you might be a fan of highlights for dark hair, it’s time to explore more about lowlights, an understated elegance from styling tips to hair inspiration! highlights and lowlights.

What are Lowlights?

Lowlights are a hair coloring technique that adds depth, dimension, and contrast to hair by applying darker shades to certain sections. Unlike highlights, which involve lightening strands of hair to create a sun-kissed effect, lowlights introduce darker tones that are typically one or two shades darker than your natural hair color.

Lowlights vs Highlights: What's the Difference?

When considering hair coloring techniques, it's always important to consider highlights v lowlights. Highlights involve lightening certain sections of the hair, usually to a shade lighter than your natural color for a sunkissed brightened look. Lowlights on the other hand involve darkening certain sections of the hair, using shades that are deeper or richer than your natural color.

Lowlights Benefits

Lowlights offer a variety of benefits that can enhance your overall look while keeping your hair healthy and stylish. Here are some key advantages of adding lowlights to your hair routine:

• Lowlights undoubtedly add contrast and dimension to your hair

• Lowlights can easily enhance the texture of your hair, especially on curls and waves and also enhances your natural hair color

• Lowlights are also relatively low-maintenance although touching them up every 6-8weeks is recommended

• Lowlights can soften the look of bright highlights on your hair by toning them down

• You can customize your lowlights to create any desired look

Hair Inspiration for Lowlights Hairstyles

Here are a few inspirations on ways to subtly introduce lowlights into your hairstyles.

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Warm Brunette with Lowlights

Hair color specialist, Sue Tyrrell shows off a warm style with this warm brunette with lowlights. While brown hair with highlights is a great option, This look is perfect for transitioning from summer to fall, offering a warm and cozy vibe that complements seasonal changes. Little partial highlights can also be added for a soft blend of tones.

Natural Hair Shades with Face-Framing Highlights

Sue Tyrrel, Redken Brand Ambassador, the creator of this style, focuses on enhancing natural hair color with delicate highlights that frame the face. These highlights are usually a few shades lighter than the base color and the effect brightens your skin complexion. Face-framing highlights can lift the face and create a youthful appearance.

The Formulas by Sue Tyrrel (Using all Redken):

• Base 5n+5g to create depth
• Lowlights 7n+7g keeping the lowlights more on the neutral side
• Gloss 10g+10aa to add warmth and reflect the light

Dimensional Warm Chocolate Deliciousness

For something more dimensional, we recommend this brown goodness offering a warm blend of deliciousness. This hairstyle is all about rich, warm chocolate tones blended with multi-dimensional lowlights. The result is a luscious, velvety look that feels indulgent and luxurious, much like a piece of dark chocolate.

The Formulas by Sue Tyrrel:

• Base Redken Shades eq 4nb+5g
• Lowlights 6cr+6nb+5g+6r

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Blonde with Lowlights

When talking about lowlight hair on blonde, Sue Tyrell says:

“Without lowlights, the color has no dimension and in my general opinion, color always looks better when it is dimensional. The blonde can also appear brighter and bolder next to a darker tone.”

If you’re interested in a more balanced look, blonde with lowlights prevents your hair from looking flat and reduces the starkness of all-over blonde hair.

Brown Hair with Blonde Highlights and Lowlights

According to our stylists, brown hair with blonde highlights and lowlights is a real definition of a well-balanced and multi-tonal appearance. This style with blonde highlights is incredibly versatile suiting a wide range of skin tones and hair textures.

Dreamy Blended Bronde

A harmonious blend of blonde and brunette hues creates a soft, natural-looking gradient. Abigail Tucker, the creator of this style describes this look by saying:

“She wanted low maintenance, so we low-lighted, shadow rooted & foiled a money piece.”

The style is best for those seeking a low-maintenance yet sophisticated look, as the gradual transition between shades allows for less frequent touch-ups.

Platinum Blonde Dimension

Different tones within the platinum range add a multi-dimensional effect, enhancing the overall shine and movement of the hair. Those with a cool undertone or those looking for a striking modern appearance can opt for this style.

Beige Blonde Balayage

Popular stylist, Frances Gonzalez, tries to achieve a soft, sun-kissed look with the balayage technique, using beige-blonde tones. Best for individuals who prefer a low-maintenance, yet stylish and trendy look with a warm, neutral tone. If you’re looking to create a beachy look, incorporate loose waves into your locks and also a center part for better styling.

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Golden Blonde

David Jonathan creates a vibrant and sunny appearance with rich warm blonde and golden undertones. Gold is always a great way to add warmth and a radiant glow, perfect for creating a bright and lively look.

Editor's Advice: Regular touch-ups are needed to keep the golden hue fresh and avoid fading.

Cool Wheat Blonde Shades

This blonde hair with highlights is a sophisticated blend of cool and neutral blonde tones, resembling the color of ripe wheat.

Editor's Advice: Maintaining the cool tone may require regular salon visits and the use of purple shampoos to prevent yellowing.

Simple Tips to Taking Care of Your Lowlights

Maintaining the vibrancy of your lowlights requires using the right products and practices. Tressa, a color specialist and educator, emphasizes the importance of using salon-grade shampoo and conditioner to preserve your color, along with essential products like a hair mask and heat protectant. With the right care routine, your lowlights will stay fresh and vibrant longer. Here are a few simple tips to keep them looking their best:

1. Use color-safe shampoo and conditioner to prevent your lowlights from fading too quickly

2. Wash your hair less frequently. Overwashing can strip your hair of its natural oils and color

3. Limit heat styling. Excessive heat can damage your hair and also cause the color to fade.

4. Regular conditioning. Deep condition your hair once a week and also make use of leave-in conditioner to keep it hydrated and healthy

5. Touch-ups. Schedule salon visits for touch-ups to keep your lowlights looking fresh and vibrant

Lowlights are a great option for adding depth and dimension to your style. What’s more, you can combine it with highlights by blending both lighter and darker tones to achieve a more natural, sun-kissed appearance. Regardless of what hair inspiration you opt for, always include our simple hair care tips in your routine.