Everything You Need to Know About Getting Lowlights Before Your Next Appointment

"Highlights lighten the natural pigment, and lowlights add darker pigment," Schaudt said. "Your colourist should pick whether you need either or both. 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 colour."

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

Your stylist will either use foils or balayage to give you lowlights using a demipermanent colour. Where your stylist puts the colour will determine the look. "My preference is to highlight around the face by keeping the lowlights in the crown and underneath sections," Schaudt said.

Like any hair-colour treatment, there is a bit of maintenance involved to keep the style looking its best. In addition to using a colour-safe shampoo, Schaudt recommended you not wash your hair more than three times a week. "If you're a regular highlight client, you may not need lowlights each appointment, but consult with your colourist to make that decision," she said.

In short: yes, they work with a majority of hairstyles. Lowlights can help enhance your hair in different ways, depending on your natural hair texture and type, like "creating a thicker appearance on finer-hair clients, or adding dimensional qualities with textured clients," Schaudt said.

When in doubt on anything hair related — colour, cut, style, or other — always ask a professional. Come prepared with photos and inspiration on the final look you're aiming for. A quick chat with your colourist can help you determine the best approach to getting the hairstyle you want.

Find more lowlight inspiration ahead.