Adding dimension to your hair with highlights and lowlights is a great way to transform your look and give your hair a more natural appearance. Highlights involve lightening strands of hair, while lowlights involve darkening certain sections. When done correctly, these hair color services can enhance your natural color and give your hair a sun-kissed, multi-dimensional effect.
But before you dive into the world of highlights and lowlights, it’s important to understand the basics. Here are some things you should know:
1. The Difference Between These Techniques
Highlights involve lightening strands of hair, while lowlights involve darkening certain sections. Both techniques are designed to add depth and dimension to your hair, but they achieve this effect in different ways. Highlights are typically applied to the top layers of your hair, while lowlights are applied to the deeper layers. This creates a contrast between lighter and darker sections of hair, which can enhance your natural hair color and give your hair a more vibrant, multi-dimensional appearance.
2. The Importance of Choosing the Right Color
Choosing the right color for your highlights and lowlights is crucial. You want to choose a shade that complements your natural hair color and skin tone. If you have dark hair, you may want to opt for caramel or honey-colored highlights. If you have light hair, ash or platinum blonde highlights can create a striking contrast.
3. The Different Techniques Used for Highlights and Lowlights
There are several techniques used for applying highlights and lowlights. The most popular techniques include foil highlighting, balayage, and ombre. Foil highlighting involves weaving strands of hair and applying the color to the selected sections before wrapping them in foil. Balayage is a freehand technique where the color is painted onto the hair in a sweeping motion to create a natural, sun-kissed effect. Ombre involves transitioning from darker roots to lighter ends, creating a gradient effect.
Adding Highlights to Your Hair
Adding highlights to your hair is a great way to brighten up your look and add dimension to your hair. Here’s how to do it:
- Choose Your Color and Technique
The first step is to choose your color and technique. As mentioned earlier, there are several techniques to choose from, including foil highlighting, balayage, and ombre. Selecting a color that accentuates your skin tone and natural hair color is crucial when it comes to coloring. If you’re unsure, look for professional color services and consult with a barber, who can guide you through the selection process based on your features.
- Prep Your Hair
Before adding highlights, it’s important to prep your hair. This involves washing your hair and making sure it’s completely dry. If your hair is oily, the color may not take evenly, so make sure your hair is clean and free of any product buildup.
- Section Your Hair
Once your hair is prepped, it’s time to section it. This will make it easier to apply the color evenly and ensure that you don’t miss any sections. Your barber will use clips or ties to separate your hair into sections, starting with the bottom layers.
- Apply the Color
Now it’s time to apply the color. Depending on the technique used, your barber may use a brush or a comb to apply the color. For foil highlighting, the selected sections will be wrapped in foil to help the color develop evenly. For balayage and ombre, the color will be painted onto the hair in a sweeping motion. This technique requires a skilled hand, so it’s important to choose a barber who is experienced in this technique.
- Process and Rinse
After the color is applied, it will need to process for a certain amount of time. Once the processing time is up, the color will be rinsed out, and your hair will be shampooed and conditioned.
- Style Your Hair
Once your hair is dry, it’s time to style it. Your barber may add some finishing touches, such as trimming the ends or adding a hair serum to add shine.
Adding Lowlights to Your Hair
Lowlights are a great way to add dimension and depth to your hair, and the process is similar to adding highlights. Here’s what you need to know:
- Choose Your Color and Technique
The first step is to choose the color and technique you want to use for your lowlights. The color you choose for your hair can either be slightly darker than your natural hair color or an entirely different color, depending on your desired outcome. You can discuss different options with a professional to determine the best approach for your hair type.
- Section Your Hair
Your barber will divide your hair into small sections, starting from the bottom and working their way up. This will ensure that the color is applied evenly and that no areas are missed.
- Apply the Color
A barber will use a brush or comb to apply the color to each section of hair, carefully blending it in to create a natural look. The selected sections may be wrapped in foil to help the color develop evenly.
- Process and Rinse
The color will need to process for a certain amount of time, depending on the brand of color and the desired result. Once the processing time is up, your barber will rinse the color out, shampoo your hair, and apply a conditioning treatment to help your hair stay healthy and vibrant.
- Style Your Hair
Once your hair is dry, your barber will help you style it so you can see the full effect of your new lowlights. They may trim the ends or add a finishing serum to give your hair a healthy shine.
Hair Color Services Near You
Our barbershop provides a comprehensive range of hair services designed to help you achieve your desired look, from expert color treatments to precise haircuts and styling. Whether you’re looking to add highlights, lowlights, or a full-color treatment, our experienced stylists will work with you to create a customized look that suits your hair type and style. Our color services use only the top-quality products to ensure that your hair stays healthy and vibrant, even after multiple treatments. Book an appointment with our expert colorists today and discover the transformative power of professional hair treatments for yourself.
