Tip No. 7: The Art of Highlighting and Lowlighting

Top stylists agree that adding highlights and lowlights to the hair is the best way to add visual fullness through color. Unlike solid colors, highlights can be done with various shades to give a natural, multi-dimensional appearance to the hair which adds depth and movement.

Highlights and lowlights are usually done in the salon, but there are also many kits available on the market for home use. If you are on a budget or prefer the comforts of home to the salon, then you can do highlights at home in under an hour. It’s best to get a friend to help you with the application as they can see the crown of your head and how your hair falls in the back.

If you take the professional route, sit down with your stylist and explain that you would like multi-tonal highlights to give a natural color with added fullness and dimension. Using 2 – 5 shades of a color will produce a beautiful sun kissed look. Foil highlights should be used, not the cap or ‘painted on’ method.

Whichever method you choose, here are some helpful hints to give you gorgeous looking hair through the use of highlighting and lowlighting:

1. The Two Shade Rule: Never go two shades lighter or darker than your natural hair color- the results will look more avante garde than natural and only draw attention to thinning hair. If you already have hair that breaks this rule, see your stylist to get you back within the two shade range.

2. Thin Is In: Thin highlights and lowlights that are placed close together give a natural sun kissed look that will add visual thickness to your hair.

3. Beauty is Skin Deep: The more you work with your skin tone, the better color results you will have. If you have warm (yellow based) skin, stay away from golden tones and go for deeper red based tones. If you have cool (pink based) skin, highlight with ash and wheat based shades rather than warm tones.

 Celebrity Style Secret

Jennifer Aniston has one of the world’s most coveted hair colors. Her highlights are done with up to 5 shades of honey blond for a natural sun kissed look and extraordinary shine.