HIGHLIGHTS AND LOWLIGHTS FOR HAIR – THE GUIDE

By Zuzana Ritchie, Beauty Writer and Make-Up Artist

There seems to be more technical terms than haircuts in the world of hairdressing these days. We shine the light on lowlights and highlights this week and how you can jazz up your hair into an envious crowning glory and join the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Kristen Stewart, Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Lawrence or Olivia Palermo.

What are Highlights and Lowlights?

In principle, highlights and lowlights are colouring techniques that transform dull, flat hair and give it depth, texture and multi-toned radiance in the cleverest way possible. Do you fancy five shades of chocolate or a sunkissed look? Lowlights and highlights are what you need to ask for at the hairdressers.

Difference Between Highlights and Lowlights

Highlights use colours that are lighter than your natural shade. Lowlights involve darkening strands of hair by using colours that are darker than your natural colour.

Techniques of Highlights and Lowlights

The technique for these differs from block-colour hair dyeing or streaks, which have a larger, more blocky effect on the hair and are much more noticeable.

It involves sectioning off the hair to target the parts you want to transform, resulting into hair full of light and dark accents. A special brush and foil are part of this process and you can choose between a full head or half-head, which means you have the top of your hair dyed, leaving the underneath natural. You can also choose a T-section or dip-dye technique, which involves lowlights on the roots and highlights on the ends.

The Benefits of Highlights and Lowlights

They boost your hair’s radiance, help to illuminate and lighten up your face and do wonders for your skin tone. It’s also perfect for ‘hair-dye beginners’ as you retain your natural shade too. The finish is much cooler and natural.

Who Suits Highlights and Lowlights?

This technique suits all hair types. It gives straight hair an illusion of volume and it adds depth to curly hair.

Who doesn’t suit it?
If you have short hair, this technique is not for you. It won't create the effect of depth and volume like it would with longer hair so may end up looking messy and disconnected.