Spring is right around the corner for Denver folks and that means out with the old and in with the new, new hairstyles of course! Nothing captures the sunshine better than lightening up your look. Can’t decide whether you should start the spring with highlights or lowlights? Not sure what the difference is or which would look best on you? Never fear! The salon pros at Deseo Salon & BlowDry are here to help!
Seize the Day with Radiant Highlights
Wake your hair up from hibernation with a pop of brilliance. Highlights are a great way to add shine, texture, and depth to dull, tired hair. Lighter tones are achieved by painting individual strands of hair with a lightening product. Natural highlights give your hair an effortless, sun-kissed glow. Trendy takes on this classic look range from ombre to balayage and everything in between.
The key to highlights is accentuating your natural beauty. Highlights are different than streaks, which are typically chunky, brighter and less natural in appearance. A softer, just-back-from-the-beach look can be achieved by adding highlights to blonde, light brown, or brunette hair. Your color experts can help you match the right highlight to your hair type. From almond to platinum, beige, and more, a professional salon can help you achieve your perfect highlight soulmate.
It’s a good idea to get highlights prior to summer, as intense sunlight can lighten the color immediately after treatment. Highlights are also not a great fit for very short hair. However, medium length straight and curly lobs go great with the added texture and fullness a professional highlighting treatment can bring. Best of all, highlights fade naturally and are low maintenance. You’re good to go anywhere from three to six months between salon sessions, so you can stay fabulous all summer long!
Own the Night with Sultry Lowlights
Embrace your shadowy side with the subtle mystique of lowlights. Unlike highlights, lowlights are two to three shades darker than your natural hair. This color technique is perfect for creating dimension in light to dark brunette hair. A sombre, a darker version of an ombre, is an increasingly popular look. Lowlights can also work well with mocha, blonde tones, and even red hair! For a more dramatic effect, try a lowlight treatment on lighter hair.
Unlike highlights, lowlights lighten less quickly in the sun and fade to a blended aesthetic within roughly three to six months. Lowlights enhance volume and depth, while highlights are best for creating the illusion of dynamic movement. With both styles, it’s a good rule of thumb never to go more than three shades lighter or darker when trying to achieve a natural vibe.
Be a Sun Goddess and a Moon Goddess
Did you know lowlights and highlights are not mutually exclusive? Creating layers through different coloring techniques adds visual dimension and mystical intrigue to everyday hair. This look works well with longer hair, especially when hair is curled or worn up in a ponytail or bun. The key to rocking both highlights and lowlights is enhancing your natural color and shine. Too many layers will create the skunk or zebra aesthetic — not a great look for any summer goddess!
Your stylist can help unlock your hair’s true potential by inspiring chic designs and colors that will keep your hair glowing all year long. Perfection is our standard at Deseo Salon & BlowDry! Locally owned and operated, our color pro’s are ready to create your best summer style. Looking for more ways to lighten your look? Check out Balayage vs. Ombre and discover which lightening treatment is best for you.
Sitting down with your hair guru prior to getting your dream color treatment is key for matching the best lowlight to your hair. Find your inspiration, then stop by for a consultation!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between highlights and lowlights?
Highlights involve lightening individual strands of hair to add brightness, shine, and a sun-kissed effect. The lighter tones are typically achieved with a bleach or lightening product applied to select sections. Lowlights are the opposite, they add color that is two to three shades darker than your natural hair, creating depth, dimension, and volume rather than brightness. Highlights are ideal for achieving a lighter, more radiant look, while lowlights add shadow and richness to the hair.
Which hair types are best suited for highlights versus lowlights?
Highlights work beautifully on blonde, light brown, and brunette hair, particularly for medium-length straight and curly styles like lobs. They are not well-suited for very short hair. Lowlights work especially well on light to dark brunette hair, and can also complement mocha tones, blonde, and even red hair. A professional colorist can assess your natural color and recommend which technique, or a combination of both, will best complement your hair type and skin tone.
How long do highlights and lowlights last before needing a touch-up?
Both highlights and lowlights typically last between three to six months before needing a salon touch-up, making them relatively low-maintenance color options. Highlights tend to lighten further in the sun and may need refreshing sooner if you spend a lot of time outdoors. Lowlights fade more gradually and blend into the natural hair color over time. Getting highlights just before summer is generally recommended, as sun exposure can further lift and brighten the color immediately after treatment.
Can I have both highlights and lowlights at the same time?
Yes, combining highlights and lowlights in the same service is a great way to create multi-dimensional color with depth, shine, and movement. The layering of lighter and darker tones works especially well with longer hair, particularly when worn curled, in a ponytail, or in an updo. The key is having a professional colorist balance the two techniques to enhance your natural color, too many layers can create an unnatural or stark appearance.
How many shades lighter or darker should highlights or lowlights be?
A general rule of thumb is to never go more than three shades lighter or darker from your natural base color if you want a natural-looking result. Going beyond three shades in either direction can create an abrupt, unnatural contrast. For highlights, the goal is to mimic the effect of natural sun-kissed hair. For lowlights, the aim is to add depth without appearing jarring against the rest of the hair. A professional colorist will help determine the right tonal range for your specific look.
What is a sombre hairstyle and how is it different from an ombre?
A sombre is a subtler, darker version of an ombre. While a traditional ombre features a more distinct gradient from dark roots to dramatically lighter ends, a sombre uses softer, more blended color transitions, often incorporating lowlights, for a more natural, understated look. The sombre is ideal for those who want dimension and depth without a dramatic color change, and works particularly well for brunette to darker hair tones.