Lowlights Are the Opposite of Highlights — Here's What to Know

The Difference Between Lowlights and Highlights

Highlights will lighten certain strands to contrast with your natural hair color, while lowlights will darken them. "Lowlights add depth and dimension to hair," Toth says. "When hair has been highlighted over and over, it eventually looks completely blond and loses its depth and dimension."

At the salon, hairstylists often add both highlights and lowlights to the hair at the same time. According to Toth, this is intentional, to create a more natural-looking effect. "Your colorist should pick whether you need either or both," Schaudt says. "You might even need midlights — which are lighter than your natural but darker than your overall — and a combination of all will give a high-end, custom look to your color."

That's the beauty in seeing a professional: you don't have to worry too much about picking which color treatment is best for your hair, as your hairstylist should be able to identify what you need.