Lowlights, which, unlike highlights are actually a few shades darker than your hair, bring out the most natural look versus using brighter traditional highlights, says Michael Canalé, Jennifer Aniston's longtime colorist and creator of hair care line Canalé.
For grey hair coverage, we generally recommend that you aim to color slightly lighter than the natural hair color level of your client. In this case we would suggest you go for a color starting in level 6 (Dark Blonde) or 7 (Blonde).
3. Lowlights for Gray Hair. Like highlights, lowlights can also be used to disguise gray hair. In fact, they're perfect for covering gray on brown or red hair for those clients who worry blonde 'lights will look unnatural.
There are many reasons that blonde highlights are a top choice for covering gray hair. Blonde highlights soften the root area where grays start to peak through and let your colorist target gray-prone sections.
Lowlights are either one or two shades darker colors dyed into your base color, or colorful strands on a lighter base color (e.g., blue streaks in blonde hair). The main aim of lowlights is to add dimension and natural-looking volume to your hair by creating almost invisible shadows that though make a big difference.
Unlike highlights, which are lighter than the base colour, lowlights are hints of colour darker than your base colour, which are woven into the hair. This colouring technique creates a perception of depth to the hair and adds contrast – perfect for people with finer hair who want their locks to look thicker.
Your stylist will either use foils or balayage to give you lowlights using a demipermanent color. Where your stylist puts the color will determine the look. "My preference is to highlight around the face by keeping the lowlights in the crown and underneath sections," Schaudt said.
The Best Style Choices For Gray Hair. Avoid mustard, olive green, camel and rust. These colours tend to make you look like you have jaundice and no one wants that! Instead wear mint, lavender, rose red and taupe, especially close to your face as well as in your makeup choices.
Gray blending is a subtle hair color application that oscillates between highlights and balayage. Like a game of chiaroscuro, the colorist will first lighten large sections of hair with a light balayage, then accentuate the effect on a few finer strands to blend in the gray hair naturally present.
All you need to do is apply a demi-permanent color all over your head. Say for example you're naturally a brunette, go with a golden blonde shade. It will only deposit the blonde color on the gray hairs, turning them into golden highlights.
Opt for an all over colour right away when dyeing your hair or transition with highlights for a gradual, natural look. Each time you colour, choose a lighter shade to bring you closer to the grey shade in your hair. Once you're on the road to lighter tones, start washing your hair with a silver shampoo.
Instead of dyeing all of your hair, try adding highlights or lowlights to hide those silver hairs. By blending highlights in your hair, you can hide stray grays without too much additional maintenance.
Caramel, honey, gold, copper, and strawberry give a healthy brightness that makes us look and feel younger. (Framing your face with lighter shades draws the eye away from any complexion concerns, as well.)
Purple shampoo has been used for decades by hairdressers, mostly to help tone and neutralize blonde and gray hair, getting rid of brassy or yellow tones for an overall more cool-toned look.
Silver hair toner is a popular option when it comes to showcasing your grey. Instead, a blue pigment is used to neutralise yellow undertones. Gradually, your hair stylist can reduce the colour pigment at each application, smoothly easing you into an all-grey look thanks to a silver toner for hair.
“Stick to black, navy, pure white—never ivory—and all the jewel tones like sapphire, royal blue, ruby, fuchsia, magenta, purple and violet,” says image consultant Sandy Dumont, who has wardrobe-advised individuals and corporations for over 30 years. You'll also want to stay away from certain shades.
Silver, ashy, blond, and platinum are indeed the most popular hair color choices for women over 60. And with good reason! Instead of coloring to hide your grey hair, you can choose to embrace it. I've seen way too many women with poorly colored dark brown hair color that just doesn't look natural or flattering.
Silver grey hair will look best on olive and fair skin with yellow undertones. If you have a pink tone, your skin may appear red and irritated with a cool grey hue.
Since baking soda is a scrubbing agent, washing your hair with it can gradually strip the dye from your locks. Baking soda can lighten all hair colors, but it might take a few washes to get your hair to the desired color.
Lowlights tend to be more low maintenance than highlights. Brennan usually suggests her clients with highlights to come back every two-four months for a touch-up, lowlights can last months. “Sometimes, lowlights can be done only once or twice and never have to be touched-up again,” she says.
Interestingly, Gibson explains that lowlights cause less damage to hair than highlights do. “Lowlights typically are done with a demi-permanent or a permanent hair color, which can beis less damaging on the hair than a highlight,” she says. Still, all hair coloring techniques leave the hair at least a little weaker.
Shades of copper, auburn, and burgundy are a great lowlight, but should not be any darker than the base color. "Going darker with the lowlights can create a harsh unnatural effect," explains Papanikolas. "Blending in these shades of red can give the color more pop and vibrancy."