Lowlights

Blonde hair with highlights and lowlights is an excellent way to add depth, dimension and vibrancy with the combination of lighter and darker tones creating a multi-dimensional effect that makes the hair appear fuller, more dynamic, and visually interesting. Lowlights add depth and richness, while highlights provide brightness and contrast, resulting in a balanced and textured finish.

Blonde hair with highlights and lowlights offers versatility because it allows for a range of looks, from subtle sun-kissed styles to bolder, contrasting effects. By strategically placing lighter and darker shades, this creates depth, dimension and a customised look that can complement individual features and preferences.

Furthermore, blonde highlights and lowlights are also versatile in the way that they can be adapted to complement various hair lengths, textures and skin tones, making them a popular choice for anyone looking for a fresh and updated look. 

Highlights vs. Lowlights: What’s the Difference?

Highlights

Highlights add lighter shades to hair strands, creating contrast and brightness, while low lights add darker shades to create depth and dimension. Highlights aim to brighten and soften the overall hair colour, whereas lowlights deepen the base colour and can make the hair look thicker.

Highlights work well for anyone aiming for a sun-kissed, natural look with added texture because they mimic the way that the sun naturally lightens the hair, creating depth and dimension. The strategic placement of lighter strands can also enhance natural texture and create the appearance of fuller, more voluminous hair.

Lowlights

Lowlights are darker strands that are added to deepen the hair colour and create richness and depth; in essence, highlights lighten and lowlights darken. 

Lowlights are an excellent way to add depth, dimension, and a more natural look to blonde hair, preventing it from appearing flat and one-dimensional. By strategically placing darker strands of hair throughout the blonde, lowlights create contrast and richness, mimicking the natural variations found in hair with sun-kissed dimension. This technique can also help soften overly bright or brassy blonde hues and create a more multi-tonal effect.

Key Considerations for Blonde Hair with Highlights and Lowlights

Hair Type

Choosing a highlighting or lowlighting technique that complements your hair texture is recommended to achieve a look that is natural and flattering.  For example, straight hair often shows off highlights and lowlights in a more defined way, giving it a smooth, polished look. The contrast can make the hair look sleek and shiny. Curly hair, on the other hand, tends to suit softer, more blended tones. This helps the colour flow naturally with the curls and adds depth without looking too bold. Blended highlights and lowlights can also enhance the natural volume and texture of curly hair.

Hair Tone

The tone of blonde highlights and lowlights can be adjusted to suit different base shades of blonde. Cooler blondes often work well with ashy highlights or even platinum lowlights to add contrast and brightness. For warmer blondes, golden or honey tones can create a softer, more natural look. Customising the tone helps blend the colour with your base shade while still adding depth and dimension.

Maintenance Level

Blonde hair with highlights and lowlights does require regular maintenance to keep the tones looking fresh and balanced. Over time, colour can fade or shift, especially with sun exposure or frequent washing. For those looking to reduce upkeep, low-maintenance techniques like balayage or babylights are great options; they blend softly into the hair and grow out more naturally. In contrast, high-maintenance styles with defined roots or all-over highlights may need more frequent touch-ups to keep them looking fresh. 

Top 18 Hairstyles for Blonde Hair with Highlights and Lowlights

1. Ash Blonde and Brown Highlights and Lowlights

Ash brown is a cool-toned brown with a slightly smoky finish. Ash brown highlights can gently lift darker hair, while lowlights can tone down lighter hair and add richness. It’s a great way to keep your colour looking soft and natural. Seen on celebrities such as Cara Delevingne.

Suitable Hair Types: Works best on naturally light to medium blonde hair, but can also be achieved on darker hair with lightening. This tone suits straight, wavy, and loose curly hair, as it reflects light well and adds a soft dimension.

Styling Tips: Use a texturising spray to bring out movement and give your hair a soft, lived-in finish. Ash tones also pair well with soft waves or sleek styles.

2. Blonde and Brown Face-Framing Highlights

Blonde and brown face-framing highlights add soft or more striking streaks of blonde and brown around the face to brighten.  It’s a great way to refresh a look without committing to a full head of colour. Whether subtle or high-contrast, it can be a very flattering choice. Seen on celebrities such as Hailey Bieber.

Suitable Hair Types: Very versatile but best for straight to wavy hair types. 

Styling Tips: Blow-dry the front sections away from the face or curl them softly to showcase the colour contrast. Use a light oil or gloss spray to enhance shine.

3. Blonde and Brown Balayage Highlights

A Blonde and brown balayage uses a freehand painting technique to create a seamless, sun-kissed blend of colour. It’s perfect for adding dimension and depth without harsh lines and is a lower-maintenance option. The mix of tones makes the look multi-dimensional and natural. Seen on celebrities such as Jessica Alba.

Suitable Hair Types: Ideal for medium to long hair and suits straight, wavy, or curly textures. Especially flattering on layered haircuts.

Styling Tips: Add loose waves to highlight the different tones. Use a lightweight heat protectant and texturising spray to add movement.

4. Brown and Blonde Natural Colour Blocking

Brown and blonde natural colour blocking features bold, sectioned panels of brown and blonde that contrast without harsh stripes. It’s a softer take on traditional colour blocking, offering a more wearable and natural result with a stylish edge. Seen on celebrities such as Gigi Hadid.

Suitable Hair Types: Works best on straight to slightly wavy hair, where colour placement can be seen clearly.

Styling Tips: Style sleek and straight to emphasise the separation between tones. A shine serum helps highlight the contrast.

5. Brown and Blonde Dip-Dye Highlights

Brown and blonde dip-dye highlights involve the ends of the hair being dyed blonde, while the roots and mid-lengths stay brown. It’s a bold, playful style with a clear contrast that is relatively low maintenance. Seen on celebrities such as Kylie Jenner. 

Suitable Hair Types: Best on medium to long hair. Works well with straight, wavy, or slightly layered styles.

Styling Tips: Try beach waves or a half-up style to showcase the two-tone effect. Use a nourishing styling cream to prevent dry ends.

6. Brown to Blonde Ombre Hair

Brown to blonde ombre hair features a smooth, gradual transition from darker brown roots to lighter blonde ends. It creates a natural, sun-kissed look that’s soft and flattering. This style adds dimension and light without the need for frequent touch-ups. Seen on celebrities such as Khloe Kardashian. 

Suitable Hair Types: Works well on most hair types, straight, wavy, or curly, and medium to long lengths for the best fade effect.

Styling Tips: Use loose curls or waves to blend the colour transition.

7. Chunky Blonde and Brown Highlights

Chunky blonde and brown highlights mix thick sections of blonde and brown for a striking, statement-making look. This style adds contrast and volume, giving the hair a vibrant, dimensional appearance. Seen on celebrities such as Beyoncé.

Suitable Hair Types: Best suited for medium to thick hair with straight or slightly wavy textures to show off the chunky colour blocks.

Styling Tips: Create volume with a root-lifting mousse or blow-dry for fullness. Sleek straight styles also highlight the chunky contrast.

8. Brown and Blonde Babylights on Short Hair

Brown and blonde babylights on short hair are very fine, delicate highlights that add subtle brightness and depth without harsh contrast. On short brown hair, they create a soft shimmer effect and natural dimension. Seen on celebrities such as Lily Collins.

Suitable Hair Types: Ideal for fine to medium hair, especially on short cuts like pixies or bobs.

Styling Tips: Use a light styling cream or wax for texture and definition without weighing hair down.

9. Red, Blonde, Brown Highlights

Red, blonde brown highlights are a warm colour blend featuring tones of red, blonde, and brown that create a rich, vibrant dimension. It’s perfect for adding warmth and vibrancy to brown or strawberry blonde hair. Seen on celebrities such as Amy Adams. 

Suitable Hair Types: Great for medium to thick hair, straight or wavy textures.

Styling Tips: Soft curls or waves help blend the tones seamlessly. Use colour-protecting shampoos to maintain vibrancy.

10. Mushroom Blonde and Brown Foilyage Highlights

Mushroom blonde and brown foilyage highlights blend cool, earthy tones with soft highlights placed using a foil and balayage combo. It offers a smoky, multi-dimensional finish that’s subtle yet striking. Seen on celebrities such as Sophie Turner. 

Suitable Hair Types: Works best on medium to thick hair with natural waves or curls to enhance the soft tonal shifts.

Styling Tips: Add texture with a sea salt spray or light mousse to emphasise the colour depth and movement.

11. Golden Blonde Hair with Lowlights

Golden blonde hair brightened with warm lowlights adds depth and dimension, preventing the colour from looking flat or one-dimensional. This blend creates a rich, sun-kissed glow with a natural finish. Seen on celebrities such as Blake Lively. 

Suitable Hair Types: Best for straight to wavy hair and medium to long lengths, where the lowlights can softly weave through the blonde.

Styling Tips: Enhance the golden tones with loose curls or waves and finish with a shine spray to amplify the warm glow.

12. Brown Curls with Golden Blonde Highlights

Golden blonde highlights on brown curly hair add brightness and definition, accentuating the natural curl pattern and giving hair a vibrant, sunlit effect. Seen on celebrities such as Shakira. 

Suitable Hair Types: Perfect for curly and wavy hair types.

Styling Tips: Use curl-enhancing creams and diffuse hair while drying to maintain bounce and highlight contrast.

13. Champagne Blonde Lowlights Balayage

A champagne blonde lowlights balayage is a mix of cool champagne blonde tones with soft lowlights painted in a balayage style, creating a refined and dimensional hair colour. It’s subtle but offers a beautiful contrast. Seen on celebrities such as Reese Witherspoon.

Suitable Hair Types: Ideal for straight to wavy hair and medium to long lengths, where balayage can blend naturally.

Styling Tips: Style with loose waves to showcase the tonal variations. Use toning shampoos to keep the cool blonde fresh.

14. Blonde Hair with Dark Brown Lowlights 

Adding dark brown lowlights to blonde hair creates a striking contrast and depth, adding richness to a light base and preventing the colour from appearing flat. Seen on celebrities such as Christina Aguilera.

Suitable Hair Types: Works well on straight to wavy hair and suits medium to long lengths where the lowlights can be well blended.

Styling Tips: Style sleek and straight to emphasise contrast, or soft curls to blend tones naturally.

15. Honey Blonde with Light Brown Lowlights

Honey blonde with light brown lowlights, warm blend pairs honey blonde with soft light brown lowlights, giving a natural sun-kissed look that adds warmth and depth. Seen on celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez. 

Suitable Hair Types: Great for straight, wavy, or slightly curly hair of medium thickness and length.

Styling Tips: Add soft curls to boost dimension or wear hair straight for a polished look. Use moisturising products to keep the tones vibrant.

16. Dirty Blonde Lowlights on White Blonde Hair

Soft, dirty blonde lowlights added to white blonde hair create a natural, lived-in look that tones down the brightness without losing the icy cool effect. This blend adds dimension and prevents the hair from looking too stark. Seen on celebrities such as Margot Robbie.

Suitable Hair Types: Best for fine to medium hair, especially on straight or slightly wavy textures.

Styling Tips: Use smoothing serums to maintain shine and reduce frizz. Soft waves can enhance the tonal contrast and add movement.

17. Blonde Money Pieces and Dark Lowlights

Bright blonde money pieces frame the face with bold blonde highlights, while dark lowlights throughout add contrast and depth to the rest of the hair. This style creates a striking and modern look. Seen on celebrities such as Dua Lipa.

Suitable Hair Types: Works well on medium to thick hair, particularly on straight or wavy textures.

Styling Tips: Wear hair sleek and straight to showcase the sharp contrast, or add loose curls for a softer effect. Use heat protectant before styling.

18. Dark Blonde Lowlights on Platinum Hair

Dark blonde lowlights on platinum blonde hair soften the brightness and add natural-looking depth. This multi-dimensional style blends light and dark tones seamlessly for a luxe finish. Seen on celebrities such as Anya Taylor-Joy.

Suitable Hair Types: Ideal for straight to wavy hair and medium to long lengths.

Styling Tips: Style with loose waves to highlight the tonal blend, and use purple shampoo regularly to keep platinum tones cool.

Maintaining Blonde Hair with Highlights and Lowlights

Use Colour-Safe Products

To keep blonde highlights looking vibrant and healthy, it’s important to use colour-safe products. Sulphate-free shampoos and conditioners help preserve your colour while keeping the hair nourished and hydrated. 

For cooler blonde tones, incorporating a purple or toning shampoo into your routine can help combat brassiness and maintain a fresh, clean finish. Using gentle, protective products between salon visits can make a big difference in the look and feel of your hair.

Regular Deep Conditioning

Blonde hair with highlights and lowlights can become dry and porous over time, especially after lightening treatments. Regular deep conditioning is essential to help restore moisture, improve elasticity, and bring back shine. Using a rich, nourishing treatment once a week can keep your hair feeling soft and healthy, while also helping to protect and prolong your colour.

Protect Hair from Heat

Lightened hair is more vulnerable to heat damage, so protecting it before styling is important. This adds a protective barrier that helps reduce breakage and dryness. For blonde hair with highlights and lowlights, this extra step can make a big difference in keeping your strands healthy, smooth, and shiny. Always use a heat protectant spray before using tools like hairdryers, straighteners and curling tongs. 

Regular Salon Visits

Regular salon visits are important for keeping blonde highlights and lowlights looking their best. Root touch-ups every 6–8 weeks help maintain a seamless blend, while trims keep your hair in shape and prevent split ends. Staying on top of your appointments not only keeps your colour fresh but also supports the overall health and condition of your hair.

Book Your Blonde Highlights and Lowlights Appointment at Rush

Ready to refresh your look? Book an appointment at your nearest Rush salon and let one of our expert stylists create the perfect highlights and lowlights, tailored to suit your hair and lifestyle.