What Is the Difference Between Highlights and Lowlights?

If you want a change in image, there is no easier way to do it than by changing your hairdo. With a mere haircut or top knot, your appearance and aura could change.

But what if you feel that cutting and tying are insufficient for the level of makeover you are looking for?

Try coloring. For a whole new you, there are highlights and lowlights.

Now we're sure you've heard of highlights - but what are low lights? And what's the difference between the two?


Highlights

First, let's make sure we're all on the same page on what highlights are: Highlights are a color on your hair that is a shade lighter than your natural color.

Highlights add movement and texture to one's hair.

One misconception about highlights is that it only comes in blonde hues. In reality, highlights may be red, gold-any shade that is lighter than one's natural hair color.

Adding highlights makes one's hair stand out. While highlights are more popular with people who have naturally dark hair color, highlights also look great on people with light hair color.

Lowlights

If highlights are made of hues that are two or three shades lighter than your natural hair color, lowlights are two to three shades darker than your natural hair color.

Lowlights work best for people with naturally light hair color.

Adding lowlights to one's hair gives the 'domore volume and depth. "Flat" blonde hair becomes more exciting with lowlights. They give the hair an added dimension and character, so easily lost with very light natural hues.

For some reason, lowlights are less popular than highlights. However, they yield similarly great results.

Unlike highlights, lowlights look more natural and subtle. Low lighting can be tricky to apply, though, for if the procedure is done by a non-expert, it can result in funky-looking hair colors.

To minimize errors, it's a great idea to know what kind of low light shade is suited for your natural hair color. For blondes, use shades of caramel, toffee, honey and bronze. Those with brunette hair may opt to go for brown or red colors such as cinnamon, chocolate or rust. People with red hair can try wearing golden brown and brunette colors.

A step further

A newer trend today is not just highlights or lowlights, though. The fad is to go for both. This is called the tri-color treatment.

Of course, this procedure is extra complicated and needs extra care so that one does not end up looking like a hybrid zebra.

When done properly, however, tri-color treatments result in hair that has unusual depth, dimension, and movement.

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