Lowlights vs. Highlights: What's the Difference and Which Should You Get?
When it comes to hair color, highlights and lowlights are two popular techniques that can transform your look. While highlights involve adding lighter strands to brighten up your hair, lowlights incorporate darker shades to add depth and contrast.
Each technique offers a unique effect, but choosing the right one for your hair depends on factors like your natural color, skin tone, and the style you're aiming for.
In this guide, we’ll explore the differences between lowlights and highlights and help you decide which one is perfect for you.
What Are Highlights?
Highlights are a hair coloring technique where lighter strands of hair are added to create contrast and dimension. This process typically involves bleaching or lightening sections of your hair to a shade or two lighter than your natural color. Highlights can range from subtle to bold, and they’re often used to brighten up dark hair or give light hair a sun-kissed effect.
They can be applied using various methods, including traditional foil highlights, balayage, or ombré techniques. Highlights add depth, texture, and movement to your hair, making it appear fuller and more vibrant.
What Are LowLights?
Lowlights are a hair coloring technique that involves adding darker strands to your hair to create depth, contrast, and dimension. Unlike highlights, which lighten sections of hair, lowlights use shades that are deeper than your natural color. This technique is often used to add richness to lighter hair or to balance out the brightness of highlights.
Lowlights can be applied subtly for a natural effect or more dramatically for a bolder look. They help create a multi-dimensional appearance, enhancing your hair's texture and making it appear fuller and more voluminous.
Key Differences Between Lowlights and Highlights
When it comes to hair coloring techniques, lowlights and highlights are two of the most commonly used methods to add depth, dimension, and visual interest to hair. Both have their own unique qualities, and understanding the key differences between them is essential in choosing the best technique for your hair color goals.
Here’s a breakdown of the primary differences between lowlights and highlights:
1. Lightness vs. Darkness
The most noticeable difference between lowlights and highlights is the use of light and dark shades. Highlights involve lightening sections of hair to a shade or two lighter than your natural color. This technique is used to create a brighter, sun-kissed look. Lowlights, on the other hand, involve adding darker shades to your hair to create contrast and depth. These darker tones are typically deeper than your natural base color and are used to add richness and dimension.
Highlights give the illusion of light reflecting off your hair, making it appear brighter and lighter. They work well for adding vibrancy and are particularly popular for people with darker hair looking to achieve a lighter, sun-bleached effect. In contrast, lowlights help create a more natural, multidimensional look by adding shadow and depth, which is ideal for those looking to enhance the texture of their hair without making it too bright.
2. Effect on Hair Volume and Texture
Both highlights and lowlights have an impact on the perceived volume and texture of your hair, but they do so in different ways. Highlights tend to make your hair look lighter and fuller because they create contrast with the natural color of the hair. The brighter strands catch the light, giving an overall feeling of more volume. Lighter highlights can also enhance texture, making the hair appear bouncier and more vibrant.
On the other hand, lowlights add depth and dimension, which can make your hair look thicker and more voluminous. The darker tones create shadows, making the overall appearance of the hair appear fuller and richer. Lowlights are particularly effective on fine or flat hair, as the added depth can create the illusion of more body and texture.
3. Application Techniques
The application techniques for lowlights and highlights are also quite different. Highlights are usually applied using foils or a freehand technique such as balayage. In the traditional foil method, sections of hair are carefully sectioned off, and the color is applied in thin strands, often from the roots to the ends. Balayage highlights, however, are painted directly onto the hair, giving a more natural and blended finish.
Lowlights, on the other hand, are typically applied by weaving or painting darker shades through the hair in a less uniform fashion. The process can involve applying color either at the roots or throughout the strands, depending on the desired look. While highlights often create a more dramatic contrast, lowlights tend to be subtler and more integrated into the hair for a smoother, seamless effect.
4. Longevity and Maintenance
The longevity and maintenance of lowlights and highlights are another important consideration. Highlights, especially lighter ones, tend to require more frequent touch-ups as the roots grow out and the natural color becomes visible. This is particularly true for permanent highlights, which are more noticeable when regrowth occurs. People with lighter hair may need to touch up their highlights every 6-8 weeks.
Lowlights generally require less maintenance because they blend more seamlessly with the natural hair color. The contrast between lowlights and your natural shade isn’t as pronounced as highlights, so regrowth is less noticeable. Lowlights can last longer between touch-ups, typically every 8-10 weeks, depending on hair growth and the style you prefer.
These are just general guidelines, as the frequency of touch-ups also depends on personal preference and individual hair growth patterns. Some people may prefer to maintain a more consistent look with regular touch-ups every 4-6 weeks, while others may be comfortable waiting longer.
Why Hair Color Fades And How To Prevent It
Hair color fades over time due to several factors, including exposure to sunlight, frequent washing, and the use of harsh chemicals or heat tools. UV rays break down color molecules, while washing strips away pigments, especially with sulfate-based shampoos.
Heat styling can also dehydrate strands and lead to fading. To prevent this, use color-safe and sulfate-free hair products that are gentle on your hair. Incorporate a UV-protectant spray to shield your locks from sun damage. Limit washing to two or three times a week and rinse with cool water to lock in color.
Regular deep conditioning treatments can also keep your hair hydrated and vibrant. Careful maintenance preserves the richness of your color and keeps your hair looking stunning.
Which Should You Choose?
The decision between lowlights and highlights largely depends on the look you want to achieve and your natural hair color. Highlights are ideal if you want to add brightness and lightness to your hair or achieve a more dramatic, sun-kissed appearance. They work particularly well for those with dark or medium-toned hair who want to add dimension and lift.
Lowlights, however, are perfect for those who want to enhance their hair’s natural depth and add contrast without going too bright. They work well for people with blonde or light brown hair who want to add some richness or for brunettes looking to add warmth. Lowlights are also great for those who prefer a more natural and subtle look.
Tips for Getting the Best Results
Choose shades that complement your natural hair color and skin tone.
For highlights, select shades no more than two tones lighter than your natural color for a natural look.
For lowlights, pick shades a few tones darker to add depth.
Consult a professional colorist to ensure the technique is applied seamlessly and flatteringly.
Combine highlights and lowlights for a multi-dimensional, balanced effect that adds richness and texture.
Use high-quality, color-safe shampoos and conditioners to maintain vibrancy and prevent fading.
Protect your hair from heat and UV damage with heat protectants and UV-filtering products.
Avoid washing your hair too frequently to extend the life of your color.
Schedule regular touch-ups to keep your look fresh and polished.
FAQs
What’s the difference between lowlights vs. highlights in hair color?
Lowlights vs. highlights come down to lightness—highlights lighten hair by adding gorgeous lighter pieces, while lowlights unlike highlights involve adding shades that are shades darker than your natural color. This contrast helps create dimension and a more natural looking hair result.
Should I choose highlights lighten or lowlights if I have fine hair or thin hair?
If you have fine hair or thin hair, a mix of few highlights and few lowlights can add volume and depth. Lowlights unlike highlights are great for giving deeper tones without damaging already highlighted hair, helping achieve a stunning finished look.
Will lowlights explained work for medium brown hair or dirty blonde tones?
Yes—medium brown hair and dirty blonde are perfect for the lowlight technique. By adding shades that are shades darker than the base color, you introduce beautiful shades and get a deeper hue that complements your natural colorr without overwhelming your tone.
How do I decide between all over hair color, traditional highlights, or low maintenance options?
During an in depth consultation, your stylist may recommend traditional highlights to brighten or lowlights for a low maintenance blend. Both techniques use multiple tones running through the hair to enhance or refresh your hair color, especially for those with damaged hair or lighter color concerns.
Conclusion
Both lowlights and highlights are fantastic ways to enhance your hair, but the choice ultimately depends on the look you want to achieve.
Highlights brighten and add dimension to your hair by lightening sections, creating a sun-kissed, vibrant effect, while lowlights add depth and contrast by darkening sections, giving your hair a fuller, richer appearance. If you prefer a lighter, brighter look, highlights are the way to go, especially for those with darker hair.
For a more subtle, multidimensional effect, lowlights are ideal, particularly for light-haired individuals. Many people opt for a combination of both techniques for the perfect balance of depth and dimension. Consulting with a professional colorist can help you decide which technique best suits your hair type, color, and personal style.
Salon Haze is an award-winning hair salon in Vancouver, Kitsilano area. We are specialists in colour and style. If you are considering a new colour or style for your hair, contact us, and we’ll talk you through all the options to ensure your choice of colour reflects your personality and complexion.
Call today for a free consultation with one of our stylists. We have the best hairdressers and the best hair colourists in Vancouver. Call now at 604-620-9986 or email us at service@salonhaze.com.