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Highlights and lowlights are both great for adding dimension to your hair and making it appear thicker. While highlights are created using bleach, lowlights are creating using hair dye that's a few shades darker than your hair color. For the ultimate illusion of depth and volume, consider doing some highlights as well.

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    Decide how dark you want to go. Highlights are a few shades lighter than your hair, while lowlights are a few shades darker. If you want a more subtle, natural effect, go about 2 shades darker. If you want a more dramatic effect, go 4 to 5 shades darker.[1]

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    Choose your tone for the hair dye. Hair comes in two tones: warm or cold. If your hair is honey-colored, with yellow or orange tones, it is warm, and you should choose a warm-toned hair dye. If your hair is ashy or white blond, it is cool, and you should stick with a cool-toned hair dye.[2]

    • If you have warm-toned hair, try a dark caramel for the lowlights.
    • If you have cool-toned hair, try a taupe shade for the lowlights.

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    Plan out the placement. You can place the lowlights all over your hair for a more realistic effect while still adding plenty of dimension to your hair. You can also create a more dramatic effect by using foil for the lowlights and blending them less. Another option would be to place them in certain areas.[3]

    • Like highlights, lowlights can help frame your face and add definition to your hair. Use this to your advantage!

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    Experiment with different colors. Unnatural colors, such as peach, purple, indigo, or pink, are all great choices. They work well on any complexion and can help add dimension to your hair without getting too dull. It should be the opposite of your base shade, however.[4]

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    Prepare your dye and work station. Cover your counter with newspaper so that it won't get dirty. Mix the hair color with the developer in a bowl according to the instructions on the package. Have a hair dyeing brush handy and wrap a hair dyeing cape around you.

    • Be sure to wear a pair of plastic gloves for this process.
    • If you can't find a hair dyeing cape, use an old towel instead.

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    Cut and fold pieces of aluminum foil. The pieces need to be about 4 inches (10.16 centimeters) wide and about the same length as your hair. Fold the top ½ inch (1.27 centimeters) on each piece (narrow side only). This will prevent the foil from scratching you when you put it in your hair.[5]

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    Section off your hair. Use a rat-tail comb to create a horizontal part, going from one side of your head to the other. Clip the upper half of your hair up and out of the way and leave the bottom half loose. You can start as high or as low as you want to, depending on how many lowlights you want.[6]

    • If you plan on doing a different pattern, then section off your hair accordingly.

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    Weave a foiling comb with a metal tail through a thin section of hair. Grab a thin, 2-inch (5.08-centimeter) wide section of hair from the exposed bottom layer. Weave the handle of the comb up and down through the hair, from one side to the next. Push the comb as close to your scalp as you can.[7]

    • If you don't have a foiling comb, you can use a rat-tail comb.

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    Lift the woven hair up and tuck a piece of aluminum foil under it. Lift the comb up just enough to separate the top part of the woven hair from the bottom. Slide a piece of aluminum foil under it until the folded part touches your head. Set aside the rat-tail comb and let the strands of hair fall against the aluminum foil.[8]

    • Have your hair covering only half of the foil. Have the remaining 2 inches (5.08 centimeters) or so sticking off to the side.

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    Apply the dye to your hair with the hair dyeing brush. Dip your brush into the dye, wipe off any excess on the edge of the bowl, then brush it onto the hair. Fully saturate the hair you want to dye.

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    Fold the aluminum foil over the hair. Fold the bottom half of the foil upward so that all of your hair is sandwiched inside the foil. Next, fold the excess foil over the hair, covering it completely.[9]

    • If you only dyed the upper half of your hair, then you don't need to fold the bottom part of the aluminum foil up.

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    Repeat the process until your hair is all covered. How long this takes you depends on how many layers of lowlights you do. They should be in roughly the same area as your highlights.

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    Let the dye set before rinsing it out. Look at the directions on your hair dye box to see how long your specific dye needs to set. Once the dye has set, remove the foil pieces and rinse your hair out using cool water.[10] Wash your hair with color-safe conditioner, then dry and style it as usual.

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    Use a color-safe shampoo and conditioner. This will help your dye job last longer while hydrating and nourishing your hair. It would also be a good idea to use a deep-conditioning hair mask once a week. This will help keep your hair soft, smooth, and shiny.[11]

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    Protect your hair from the elements. Too much sun, heat, and pool/ocean water can cause the color to fade. Wear a hat when you step outside for long periods of time. You can also help the color last longer by applying pre-pool treatments that help repel water and lock in the color. This will help prevent the colors from fading in the pool or beach.[12]

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    Choose styles that show off the lowlights. After spending so much time and effort in creating them, it would be a shame if you didn't show them off. Half-up hairstyles are great for this. You can do a half-up ponytail or bun, or even a Dutch braid.[13]

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    Touch up the lowlights every six weeks. Hair grows about half an inch (1.27 cm) per month, but everyone's hair grows differently. You may need to touch up your lowlights more often, or go longer between touchups if you have fast-growing hair.[14]

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Add New Question

  • Question

    I just dyed my hair yesterday. It's too light, can I do low lights today?

    Community Answer

    You should be able to. Go to a licensed hairdresser.

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  • Light brown lowlights with hints of gold will brighten up dull hair and balance out a neutral complexion. Golden lowlights work for either warm (yellow-toned) complexions and cool (pink-toned) complexions.[15]

  • In general, avoid going more than three shades darker, otherwise your hair will look streaky (unless this is the look your are going for).[16]

  • If you want a richer color, it might be a good idea to let a professional stylist handle it.[17]

  • If this is your first time doing lowlights, consider asking someone who has experience to help you.

  • Add highlights for even more depth!

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Things You'll Need

  • Hair dye that's 2 shades darker than your hair
  • Hair dyeing cape or old towel
  • Hair clips
  • Aluminum foil
  • Rat-tail comb
  • Hair dye brush

References

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