Getty Images
Highlights, lowlights – it’s all just semantics, right? Well, not quite: These similar-sounding coloring techniques produce very different results, especially on blonde hair. If you ask the internet which look was more popular this summer, you’ll no doubt find that lowlights reigned supreme. Recently, people have been repeatedly typing the phrase “lowlights on blonde hair” into the Pinterest search bar, resulting in a 200% increase in interest in the last month.
But what exactly are lowlights (and how are they different from highlights)? Saint Latimer, a colorist at Suite Caroline in New York City, says to think of lowlights as “the anti-highlight.” They’re created by working a color darker than your natural base color into your hair to add dimension and depth. (Highlights do the opposite: Colorists work lighter strands into your hair to brighten your overall look.)
Lowlights can also breathe new life into overly lightened hair. Latimer explains that the depth you create with lowlights can sometimes make blonde appear lighter—so you don’t have to resort to more bleach. (It’s really genius.)
Colorists aren’t surprised by the look’s rising popularity. Latimer explains why this trend is happening: “It’s because (lowlights) can make blonde hair look more expensive,” thanks to the depth and dimension lowlights create. He says they can bring out the “sparkle” of the existing blonde.
Lowlights are also pretty low-maintenance, says colorist Kristin Kell of New York City salon SCK. (Latimer agrees, saying the hairs that grow out are usually “soft and blended.”) To prolong your look, she recommends using a shampoo for color-treated hair like Shu Uemura Color Luster Shampoo, which not only smells of citrus and florals but also uses rice yeast extract to help lock in color. We also love L’Oréal Paris EverPure Moisture Shampoo, which lathers gently and smells just as good.
Shu Uemura Color Luster Shampoo
$55.00, Sephora
L’Oréal Paris Everpure Moisturising Shampoo
$20.00, Amazon (Shampoo + Conditioner)
According to Latimer, those who want to add “more dimension to a drab blonde” are the best candidates for lowlights. He explains that the color you add to your hair depends on your goal for the look. If you want to maintain the vibrancy of your blonde but add more dimension, he recommends a lowlight shade that’s two levels darker than the lightest blonde in your hair. If you’re going for a more natural look, you should match your lowlight color to your natural base color. “Lowlight, used correctly, makes blonde look more natural, complex, and lit from within,” he adds.
Want to try the look yourself? Make an appointment with your colorist (you shouldn’t try this at home with a color from a box) and have a screenshot of your desired result ready.
Lowlights for blonde hair
There’s no shortage of inspiration for this look. Check out some of Kell and Latimer’s favorite lowlights on blonde hair below.
More on hair color trends:
Check out Brooke Shields’ 10-minute hair care routine now:
Originally published on Allure
