How to Get Blonde Hair with Lowlights

Does your blonde hair seem a little too one-note lately? In a world dominated by super-dimensional hair colors that are full of movement and depth, we totally feel you. But just because you’re hoping for a bit more dimension doesn’t mean you need to completely change your hair color! This is where lowlights come into play. Lowlights can help make your blonde hair color really pop. Whether you’re looking to embrace a beachier blonde or simply want loads of contrast, you can find a lowlight process that fits your needs. Here, learn about how lowlights can transform your look, how to find the right lowlights for you, and how to care for color-treated hair once you have blonde hair with lowlights.

LOWLIGHTS 101

Wondering how lowlights can help add dimension to your blonde hair? Here’s what you need to know.

Why you should get lowlights: By adding contrasting lowlights to bright blonde hair, you can create waves of lightness and darkness. The same way contouring can help define and shape your face, lowlighting can add movement to your hair. Plus, the addition of these slightly darker colors helps create a more natural look.

What to ask for at the salon: Based on the look you want, your colorist will add lowlights to your hair that are at least one shade darker than your lightest highlight, while never going darker than your base color. Make sure your stylist knows you want a natural-looking hair color so that they can use a balayage technique to hand paint super-thin sections of lowlights instead of fatter ones.

8 IDEAS FOR BLONDE HAIR WITH LOWLIGHTS

Not exactly sure what to ask for at the salon? Here are a bunch of pretty lowlight ideas to guide you!

1. Beach blonde

Want to add a little warmth to your blonde hair? Try adding in some light brown lowlights that have hints of gold. The darker tones can help give that natural-looking beach babe vibe because they help your blonde hair look brighter.

Looks best on: neutral complexions. The additional warmth can help balance out neutral skin tones for an overall glowing look.

2. Rainbow radiance

Although lowlights are typically considered to be on the brunette spectrum, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun with other colors of the rainbow. To get the look at home, try the L’Oréal Paris Colorista Hair Makeup 1-Day Color or the L’Oréal Paris Colorista 1-Day Spray, which are available in a variety of shades.

Looks best on: any complexion! It all depends on the color you choose. Just remember that you want your chosen shade to be opposite of your undertones.

3. Forward focus

If you’re one of the many women who has recently fallen in love with the lob haircut, allow us to let you in on a little secret. When you have this cut with a slightly deeper angle in front, it can be especially flattering to bring a bit more attention to your face-framing strands. That’s where warm lowlights come in! When you add dimension directly around your face with bright lowlights, your bone structure gets to take center stage. 

Looks best on: complexions with yellow undertones. These lowlights tend to be on the cooler side of the golden spectrum, meaning they will look especially gorgeous with a complexion that has hints of yellow.

4. Nude blend

Nude hair is one of the “it” hair color trends at the moment. It incorporates a series of lowlights and highlights to help perfectly match your skin tone. To get the look, make sure your stylist focuses the deeper contrasting color at the roots, having it fade into a lighter color at the ends.

Looks best on: e-v-e-r-y-o-n-e! Since this color is based off adding tailored lowlights to match your look, there’s no one set color scheme.

5. High contrast

When you incorporate a lot of different bold colors into your hair, you can help create the illusion of fuller-looking hair. The key is choosing shades that complement each other—and bright golden blonde lowlights can add just enough darkness while tying your whole look together.

Looks best on: complexions that lean pink. The golden hues of this high contrast shade can help add brightness and depth for a gorgeous look.

6. Dark ash

If you have light or medium ash blonde hair, consider getting dark ash blonde lowlights. Their dark, borderline gray hue will add beautiful dimension to your ‘do while complementing its already cool tones.

Looks best on: complexions with warm undertones. The cool undertones of these lowlights will perfectly balance out your complexion.

7. Caramel

Consider adding red-brown hues throughout your mane with some caramel lowlights. Since these lowlights are warm-toned, try pairing them with a warm base, like a honey blonde shade.

Looks best on: those who have cool undertones! Your mane will add warmth to your complexion.

8. Honey

Want to add warmth to your mane but would rather steer toward a more traditional blonde hue? Opt for honey blonde lowlights, which have a rich, deep golden color.

Looks best on: people who have a complexion with cool undertones, as the warm color will balance out your skin tone.

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF BLONDE HAIR WITH LOWLIGHTS

Once you’ve decided on the kind of lowlights you’d like to add to your hair, it’s important to care for your color-treated hair properly. That means using a system consisting of a shampoo, conditioner, and hair treatment that are formulated for color-treated hair, like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Blonde Shampoo, L’Oréal Paris EverPure Blonde Conditioner, and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Blonde Shade Reviving Treatment.

Interested in more lowlight ideas? Or, perhaps you think you’re better suited to a head full of highlights. Either way, here are The Best Highlights and Lowlights for 2020.