Lowlights are a coloring technique used to add depth and dimension to hair by incorporating strands that are darker than the base color. On dark hair, lowlights can create a subtle yet impactful change, enhancing the overall richness and texture. They offer a fantastic alternative to highlights for those seeking a more natural or understated look. This guide explores everything you need to know about lowlights on dark hair, from understanding the technique to choosing the right shades and maintaining your new look.
Understanding Lowlights and How They Differ From Highlights
Lowlights are the opposite of highlights. While highlights lighten sections of hair, lowlights darken them. This creates contrast and adds dimension to the hair, making it appear fuller and more textured. The effect is often more subtle than highlights, making it an excellent choice for individuals who prefer a natural or low-maintenance style.
Key Difference: Highlights add lightness; lowlights add darkness and depth.
Who Should Consider Lowlights?
Lowlights are a versatile option suitable for a wide range of individuals with dark hair. They are particularly beneficial for those with:
- One-dimensional color: Lowlights can break up a flat, monotone color, adding visual interest and movement.
- Thin hair: The added dimension creates the illusion of thicker, fuller hair.
- Overly highlighted hair: Lowlights can help tone down overly bright highlights and blend them more seamlessly with the base color.
- Those seeking a low-maintenance option: Lowlights tend to grow out more naturally than highlights, requiring less frequent touch-ups.
Benefits of Lowlights on Dark Hair
The advantages of incorporating lowlights into dark hair are numerous.
Enhanced Dimension and Depth: The most significant benefit is the added dimension. Dark hair can sometimes appear flat, and lowlights inject depth and movement, making the hair look more vibrant.
Subtle and Natural Look: Lowlights offer a more natural look compared to bolder highlighting techniques. The darker shades blend seamlessly with the base color, creating a soft and blended effect.
Low Maintenance: Because lowlights are darker than the base color, the grow-out is less noticeable. This means fewer trips to the salon for touch-ups, saving you time and money.
Healthier-Looking Hair: By adding dimension, lowlights can make hair appear thicker and healthier. They can also help to camouflage damaged or dry ends.
Correcting Over-Highlighting: If your hair has been over-highlighted, lowlights can help to bring it back to a more balanced and natural-looking state. They add darker pieces to counter the brightness and create a more cohesive color.
Choosing the Right Lowlight Shades for Dark Hair
Selecting the right lowlight shades is crucial for achieving the desired effect. The ideal shades will complement your skin tone and natural hair color, creating a harmonious and balanced look.
Understanding Your Skin Tone
Your skin tone plays a vital role in determining the best lowlight shades. Generally, individuals with warm skin tones (golden, peachy, or yellow undertones) look best with warmer lowlight colors, while those with cool skin tones (pink or blue undertones) are better suited to cooler shades.
Popular Lowlight Shades for Dark Hair
Here are some popular and effective lowlight shades for dark hair:
- Dark Chocolate Brown: This is a versatile shade that works well with a variety of dark hair colors. It adds warmth and richness without being too dramatic.
- Espresso Brown: A deeper, cooler brown shade that provides a striking contrast against very dark hair.
- Mahogany: A reddish-brown shade that adds warmth and vibrancy, particularly flattering on those with warm skin tones.
- Caramel: A warmer, lighter brown shade that can add subtle dimension to dark hair. This works best as a soft lowlight for those with dark brown hair.
- Ash Brown: A cool-toned brown shade that complements cool skin tones and adds a sophisticated edge to dark hair.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Shades
Beyond skin tone, consider these factors:
- Your Natural Hair Color: The lowlight shade should be only one or two shades darker than your natural hair color to avoid a harsh contrast.
- Your Desired Look: Are you aiming for a subtle, natural look or a more dramatic effect? The intensity of the lowlight shade will depend on your desired outcome.
- Your Hair Texture: Fine hair may benefit from more subtle lowlights, while thicker hair can handle bolder, more contrasting shades.
Lowlight Techniques and Application Methods
There are several techniques for applying lowlights, each offering a unique result. The best method will depend on your hair type, desired look, and skill level (if attempting at home).
Foil Lowlights
This is a classic technique that involves sectioning the hair and applying the lowlight color to individual strands, which are then wrapped in foil. Foil lowlights allow for precise placement and control, making them ideal for creating defined and even lowlights.
Balayage Lowlights
Balayage is a freehand technique where the lowlight color is painted onto the hair. This creates a softer, more natural-looking effect with seamless blending. Balayage is a great option for those who want a low-maintenance look with subtle dimension.
Chunking
This technique involves applying color to thicker sections of hair. While it can create a bolder, more noticeable effect, it’s best done carefully to avoid a stripy or unnatural look.
Lowlight Placement Strategies
The placement of lowlights is just as important as the color choice. Strategic placement can enhance your features, add volume, and create a flattering silhouette.
- Face-Framing Lowlights: Placing lowlights around the face can help to accentuate your features and add warmth to your complexion.
- Underneath Lowlights: Adding lowlights to the under layers of your hair creates depth and dimension without being too obvious. This is a great option for those who want a subtle change.
- All-Over Lowlights: Applying lowlights throughout the entire head of hair creates a uniform and balanced look. This is a good option for those who want to add overall depth and richness to their hair color.
DIY vs. Salon Lowlights: What to Consider
Deciding whether to do lowlights at home or visit a salon is a crucial decision. While DIY lowlights can be a cost-effective option, they also come with risks.
The Pros and Cons of DIY Lowlights
Pros:
- Cost-effective: Save money on salon fees.
- Convenience: Do it on your own schedule.
Cons:
- Uneven Application: Difficult to achieve even and natural-looking results.
- Damage Risk: Potential for damaging your hair if not done correctly.
- Color Matching: Challenges in selecting the right shade.
- Messy Application: Can be a messy and time-consuming process.
The Benefits of Professional Salon Lowlights
Pros:
- Expert Color Matching: A professional stylist can accurately assess your hair and skin tone to choose the perfect lowlight shades.
- Precise Application: Stylists have the skills and experience to apply lowlights evenly and strategically.
- Minimized Damage: Professionals use high-quality products and techniques to minimize damage to your hair.
- Customized Results: Stylists can create a customized look that is tailored to your individual needs and preferences.
When to Choose a Salon
It’s generally recommended to visit a salon for lowlights if:
- You’re new to hair coloring.
- You want a complex or customized look.
- You have damaged or chemically treated hair.
- You’re unsure about the right shade to choose.
Maintaining Your Lowlights on Dark Hair
Proper maintenance is essential to keeping your lowlights looking vibrant and healthy.
Use Color-Safe Shampoos and Conditioners
Color-safe shampoos and conditioners are formulated to be gentle on color-treated hair, helping to prevent fading and maintain the vibrancy of your lowlights.
Avoid Excessive Heat Styling
Excessive heat styling can damage hair and cause color to fade. Minimize your use of heat tools like curling irons and straighteners, and always use a heat protectant spray before styling.
Protect Your Hair From the Sun
The sun’s UV rays can cause color to fade and damage hair. Wear a hat or use a UV protectant spray when spending time outdoors.
Deep Condition Regularly
Deep conditioning treatments help to replenish moisture and nourish color-treated hair, keeping it healthy and hydrated. Aim to deep condition your hair at least once a week.
Schedule Regular Touch-Ups
While lowlights are relatively low-maintenance, they will eventually need to be touched up as your hair grows. Schedule regular appointments with your stylist to maintain the vibrancy and blend of your lowlights.
Troubleshooting Common Lowlight Issues
Even with careful planning and execution, some issues may arise with lowlights. Here’s how to address some common problems.
Lowlights Too Dark
If your lowlights are too dark, you can try using a clarifying shampoo to gently lift some of the color. You can also consult with your stylist about lightening the lowlights slightly.
Lowlights Too Warm/Cool
If your lowlights are too warm or cool, your stylist can use a toner to adjust the tone and create a more balanced color.
Uneven Lowlights
If your lowlights are uneven, your stylist can correct the application by adding more lowlights to the areas that need them or by blending the existing lowlights more seamlessly.
Faded Lowlights
If your lowlights have faded, you can use a color-depositing shampoo or conditioner to refresh the color and add vibrancy. You can also schedule a touch-up appointment with your stylist.
Lowlights offer a fantastic way to add depth, dimension, and a touch of sophistication to dark hair. By understanding the technique, choosing the right shades, and properly maintaining your color, you can achieve a beautiful and natural-looking result that enhances your overall appearance. Whether you opt for DIY lowlights or visit a salon, remember that careful planning and proper care are essential for achieving and maintaining your desired look.
What exactly are lowlights, and how do they differ from highlights on dark hair?
Lowlights are a hair coloring technique that involves adding strands of hair that are darker than your base color. Unlike highlights, which aim to brighten and lighten the hair, lowlights create depth, dimension, and a more natural-looking contrast, especially on dark hair. They’re perfect for adding richness and breaking up a monotone color.
Think of lowlights as the opposite of highlights. While highlights lift the color, lowlights add shades darker than your natural or base color. This darker shade helps to create the illusion of thicker hair, especially if you have fine or thin dark hair. Furthermore, lowlights can correct brassiness and create a softer, more blended look, rather than a stark contrast often associated with highlights.
What are the benefits of getting lowlights on dark hair?
Adding lowlights to dark hair provides numerous benefits beyond just aesthetic appeal. One of the most notable advantages is the added dimension and depth, making hair appear fuller and more voluminous. Lowlights can also help to correct uneven tones or faded color, restoring vibrancy and richness to your overall look.
Furthermore, lowlights are a fantastic way to ease into a new hair color without a drastic change. They require less maintenance than highlights since the darker shades blend more seamlessly with the natural hair growth. This makes them a cost-effective and time-saving option for individuals seeking a subtle yet noticeable hair transformation.
What shades of lowlights work best on dark hair?
The ideal lowlight shades for dark hair largely depend on the specific undertones and depth of the base color. For those with cool-toned dark hair, consider shades like cool browns, ash browns, or even deep blues or purples for a more edgy look. These shades will complement the existing cool tones and prevent the lowlights from appearing brassy or orange.
Warm-toned dark hair, on the other hand, benefits from lowlights in shades like chocolate brown, caramel, or auburn. These warmer tones will enhance the natural warmth in the hair and create a harmonious, sun-kissed effect. Always consult with a professional stylist to determine the best shade based on your specific hair color and desired outcome.
How do I prepare my hair for a lowlight treatment?
Prior to getting lowlights, it’s crucial to ensure your hair is in good condition. This involves avoiding heat styling and harsh chemical treatments for at least a week or two beforehand. Deep conditioning treatments can also help to hydrate and strengthen the hair, making it more receptive to the coloring process.
Furthermore, consider skipping washing your hair for a day or two before the appointment. The natural oils in your hair can act as a protective barrier for your scalp, minimizing potential irritation from the coloring products. Inform your stylist about any recent hair treatments or sensitivities you might have.
How can I maintain my lowlights after the treatment?
Maintaining your lowlights involves a few key practices to prolong the color and keep your hair healthy. Firstly, invest in color-safe shampoo and conditioner designed for dark or color-treated hair. These products are formulated to gently cleanse the hair without stripping the color.
Secondly, minimize washing your hair too frequently, as this can cause the color to fade faster. Consider using dry shampoo in between washes to absorb excess oil and keep your hair fresh. Heat styling should also be limited to prevent damage and color fading. Use heat protectant sprays when styling.
How often should I get lowlights redone?
The frequency of redoing your lowlights depends on various factors, including your hair growth rate and how noticeable you find the regrowth. Generally, lowlights require less maintenance than highlights, as the darker shades blend more seamlessly with the natural hair. Most people find that redoing their lowlights every 8-12 weeks is sufficient.
However, if you experience rapid hair growth or notice significant fading of the lowlight color, you may want to consider redoing them sooner. Regular glossing treatments can also help to refresh the color and add shine in between full lowlight applications. Consult with your stylist to determine the best maintenance schedule for your specific hair type and color.
Can I do lowlights at home, or is it best to go to a professional stylist?
While it’s possible to do lowlights at home, it’s generally recommended to seek the expertise of a professional stylist, especially for dark hair. Achieving the desired shade and placement requires a trained eye and experience with color formulation. Incorrect product selection or application can lead to unwanted brassiness, uneven color, or even damage to the hair.
Professional stylists have the knowledge and skills to assess your hair type, undertones, and condition to create a customized lowlight treatment that complements your features. They can also ensure proper blending and avoid harsh lines, resulting in a more natural and polished look. While it may be more expensive, the investment in a professional service is often worth it for the health and appearance of your hair.