Balayage, Highlights, and Lowlights

Q: I’ve been getting highlights for years from the same colorist, who always uses bleach and foils. Recently, I decided to try a new stylist, and he did a balayage. I believe he used bleach for the highlights and dye for the lowlights. Unfortunately, I really dislike the lowlights!

After the new stylist’s work didn’t turn out how I wanted, I went back to my original colorist. She added more highlights two weeks later to help correct the look, and then another round four weeks after that. Normally, I get highlights every eight weeks, but this situation required extra touch-ups.

My hair is fine and fragile, and the warm-toned lowlights are still there. I prefer cool, ashy tones, so the warmth really bothers me. Do I have to wait for the lowlights to grow out, or will they fade over time? Is it possible to cover them completely with more highlights? I really don’t like this warm color!

A: If the stylist used permanent dye for the lowlights, then yes, they are permanent and won’t simply wash out. You’ll either need to grow them out or have them adjusted by a professional.

As for whether your new stylist truly did balayage, the technique is defined by its freehand application. Balayage involves painting bleach or color onto the hair in soft, natural strokes, usually with a brush or tail comb, focusing on the surface layers for a sun-kissed effect. If foils or another method were used, then it wasn’t balayage. That said, combining highlights and lowlights is often called dimensional coloring, which creates depth and contrast.

For your specific concern, you have a few options:

1. Wait it out – Let the lowlights grow and trim them away over time.

2. Full color correction – Your stylist could apply an all-over color to neutralize the warmth, then reapply highlights. However, this is a more drastic fix and could be hard on your fine, fragile hair.

3. Targeted toning – A skilled colorist can neutralize the warmth without a full redo. They might use a cool-toned glaze or a gentle lightening technique to soften the unwanted warmth. Just keep in mind that if you lighten the lowlights too much, your overall color could end up lighter than you’d like.

The best approach is to have a detailed consultation with your stylist. Explain exactly what you dislike about the current color and what you’d prefer instead. A good colorist can tailor a solution - whether it’s toning, strategic highlights, or a gradual transition - to get you back to a shade you love.

©Hairfinder.com

See also:

Highlighting

How to color hair

What is the difference between regular highlighting and a balayage?