Highlights vs. Lowlights. What’s the difference?

Highlights and Lowlights are both coloring processes with permanent dyes, but on specific sections or strands of hair instead of the whole head. They are both aimed at giving the hair a natural multi-dimensional look when done properly at a hair salon. In this article we will discuss highlights vs. lowlights and how they can be used together.

What are highlights?

In highlights the hair strands are lightened at least 2 to 3 shades than the rest of the hair. Anyone can have them done and if done properly should compliment your base hair color and should be flattering to your skin complexion. While a lot of times highlights are done in blonde color, there are no restrictions as such as long as the highlights are lighter than the rest of your hair. For instance, if your hair color is a level 3 (med/dark brown) you can add highlights that are a level 6 (med/dark blond).

What are lowlights?

Lowlights are the exact opposite of highlights, but for some reason are not as popular. In fact many hair salons do not even mention it to their clients. For lowlights, the specific hair strands are colored 2 to 3 shades darker than the rest of the hair. Again the goal is create depth and volume to the hair. This technique is particularly useful for correcting highlights that have gone too light or for blending the natural hair color. It’s a smart way to disguise any new growth (which are usually darker). The first left image shows the chunkier portions of dark hair from lowlights while the one on the right has more subtle lowlights blended near the roots.

Another great benefit is that lowlights do not damage the hair as much as highlights because the process is merely depositing color. Highlights on the other hand requires bleaching to lighten the hair and therefore uses stronger volumes of the hydrogen peroxide.

Advantages of using them together

Adding both highlights and lowlights is sometimes referred to as a tri-color service. When done professionally this can enhance your natural hair color by several folds. Furthermore it is great for those who want to experiment with more ‘funky’ hair styles. Here are some examples:

Originally published at hairmomentum.com on October 20, 2015.