No matter your hair’s current state or how quickly it grows gray, there are many beautiful ways to transition over. Blocking gray hair with highlights or lowlights may be your perfect option for an understated yet sophisticated style.
Lowlights are darker shades that help camouflage gray strands, while highlights are lighter. You can use various techniques for these highlights to create unique looks.
High-Low Technique coloring trends offer one way to add depth and dimension to your locks: highlights created using select strands of natural color followed by fill-ins of darker tones for more excellent definition. This method works exceptionally well for those with dark or light base shades, making hair look natural while speeding up salon visits significantly.
Furthermore, the ombre is much faster than highlights, so it may be ideal if you need quick solutions efficiently. Transitioning to gray hair can be daunting, so using this method to blend their locks and conceal any pesky stray strands without resorting to full coverage coloring can be an ideal solution. Furthermore, this approach avoids lighteners and other chemical processes that may damage the scalp; nonetheless, it’s always wise to invest in color-safe shampoo and conditioner to prevent color fade or damage.
Gray hair looks incredible with high-low highlights that bring out its contrast. Perfect for those wishing to keep their natural salt-and-pepper locks but wish for lighter ones overall. This style works wonders on darker hues of hair as it conceals gray strands while not making them too weak – such as butterscotch blonde or light brown hues – by choosing light colors that have less saturation than your base shade to hide any visible grays without making them too visible. Soft hues with low saturation, such as butterscotch blonde or light brown, will work best for optimal results.
Bryant suggests foil highlights as a foolproof method of creating high-low blends, according to Bryant. Isolate areas you want to highlight and apply bleach in small sections before blending it to your natural hue with a feathering tool or comb – an advantageous alternative over balayage that ensures you achieve consistent color results every time.
This method is perfect for those with only a few gray strands and works best on darker hair colors such as dark brown, golden brown, or ash brown. Your colorist will lighten the top strands before blending them with dark highlights to conceal grays while adding depth and style to the shade.
An experienced colorist will use various techniques to achieve this look, depending on how much gray there is and your desired results. For instance, if you prefer emphasizing silvery gray strands rather than blending them, cool tones might be used, while those seeking more blended looks choose warm golden or beige tones instead.
If you want to cover a substantial amount of gray, your colorist will likely recommend using semi-permanent or demi-permanent colors instead of permanent dye. The permanent dye can open up your hair shaft, making it feel dry and dull – something permanent dye does not do well when covering gray hair. Plus, semi-permanent shades gradually fade over time, so you won’t need frequent touch-up visits at the salon!
Lowlights offer another technique for creating dimension and hiding gray strands in your locks. A professional colorist will use both methods to craft an appealing style that complements your grays perfectly.
Utilizing shades closer to your natural base color requires less maintenance, as the dye won’t have to be stripped out before being redeposited as highlights do. However, if you choose a darker tone, it’s essential not to select too dark of a hue, as this could cause it to look flat and unnatural in your locks.
Be sure to find a stylist with experience working with gray-blending colors, as these can be more difficult to achieve than traditional highlights. Schedule a pre-appointment consultation so your stylist can understand your coloring needs and desired look.
