Articles > Lowlights > Blonde Lowlights: 4 Tips For Adding Internal Depth
Last updated: March 23, 2023

Blonde Lowlights: 4 Tips For Adding Internal Depth

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Photo Credit: Instagram via @sarahzstylz

4 Placement Tips For Lowlighting Lived-In Blondes 

Is your high-maintenance blonde ready to transition to a low-maintenance look? Keep reading! To help you prepare for this HUGE client request in 2023, we’ve gathered three lowlight placement tips to help you create dimensional, lived-in blondes with rich, internal depth—plus, all the formulas you need.

 

1. Use this smart foil placement to create depth at the crown:

Reverse balayage is the perfect way to introduce depth into blondes who are ready to dip into something a little more lived-in. Keep scrolling to learn BTC Team Member Sarah Cabral (@sarahzstylz)’s signature foil placement to add depth into blondes (PS: Keep scrolling to get her formulas!)

 

Check out the before and after below:

jack winn pro reverse balayage how to steps get the look sarahzstylz
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Sarah’s Lowlighting Cheat Sheet: Screenshot This For Later!

  • Formulate lowlights one level lighter than the client’s natural level.
  • NEVER formulate darker than the natural level.
  • For blondes, don’t pull the lowlights all the way through the ends.
  • Use a demi-permanent color to lowlight (unless it’s a color correction—then, try a permanent color.)
  • “Depending on how much warmth (underlying pigment) they have in their hair, this will determine if I fill (add warmth) to the formula,” says Sarah. “It will also be determined by the color line that I am using. [For] example, if the line goes more toward warm neutrals, I usually don’t fill.”

 

Step 1: Use a chunky weave and apply Formula A throughout the head.

Pro Tip: Sarah likes to formulate a shade lighter than the client’s natural color for lowlights.

jack winn pro reverse balayage how to steps get the look sarahzstylz chunky lowlights
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Step 2: Highlight throughout the head where brightness is needed with Formula B. This will bring balance through the interior underneath. 

jack winn pro reverse balayage how to steps get the look sarahzstylz
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Step 3: With Formula B, highlight using a fine weave near the hairline and place it on top of a chunky lowlight (Formula A) to create maximum depth. Rinse and wash.

jack winn pro reverse balayage how to steps get the look sarahzstylz
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Step 4: Apply Formula C to Zone 1 and Formula D to Zones 2 and 3. Blend the root melt into the mids. 

 

Click the beaker to get Sarah’s formulas!

jack winn pro reverse balayage how to steps get the look sarahzstylz chunky lowlights
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  • Formula A (lowlights):

    Jack Winn Pro Envelop 7N + 3-volume Zero Lift developer

  • Formula B (highlights):

    Jack Winn Color Brilliant Lightener + developer 

  • Formula C (root melt):

    Envelop 7N + 6B + 3-volume Zero Lift developer

  • Formula D (all-over gloss):

    Envelop 10N + 8N + 3-volume Zero Lift developer

Photo Credit: Instagram via @sarahzstylz

 

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2. Don’t skip this step: Fill the hair with warmth.

San Diego-based blonding specialist Summer Labayen (@manely.summer) also took her client to the dark(er) sidewith a reverse balayage technique—get her formulas below!

 

Step 1. Use a 13-foil placement for a bold money piece and a few balayage slices. Summer mixes Jack Winn Pro Brilliant Lightener and Brilliant Diamond together (Formula A) for a clean lift without swelling.

 

Step 2. Add depth with 15 lowlights in a herringbone pattern throughout the head. Remember: “Less is more with lowlights,” Summer says.

 

Pro Tip: “Use two formulas when lowlighting: One formula for the roots and mids, and another for the ends. I like to mix a second formula that is lighter and warmer for the ends,” explains Summer. “Blondes have really porous ends that need a little bit more warmth to fill them. I used Formula B for the roots to mids and Formula C for her ends. This combo will ensure her ends stay lighter without looking muddy.”

jack winn pro reverse balayage how to steps get the look manley.summer
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  • Formula A (highlights):

    Jack Winn Pro Brilliant Lightener + Jack Winn Pro Diamond Time-Released Toning Lightener + 20-volume developer

  • Formula B (roots and mids gloss):

    Jack Winn Pro Restore 8N + 8.13 + 3-volume developer (1:1.5)

  • Formula C (ends gloss):

    Restore 10N + 10.2 + a dash of 9.13 + 3-volume developer (1:1.5)

Photo Credit: Instagram via @manely.summer

 

3. Try this genius trick to ensure blend!

When creating lived-in looks, oftentimes you don’t want to paint all the way up to the scalp. For dimensional foils, Summer overdirects the back foils toward the face for extra blend insurance (creating a diagonal back.)

 

Pro Tip: Feather or tease your sections for the most-blended look.

 

jack winn pro reverse balayage how to steps get the look manley.summer overdirection overdirect foils blend blended
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Photo Credit: Instagram via @manely.summer

 

4. Here’s a quick way to add depth:

A root melt—especially when paired when lowlights—will add even more contrast to your look than lowlighting alone. Try them both for maximum internal depth.

 

Pro Tip: For clients that like a bright face frame, try applying toner in the last five minutes of processing.

 

jack winn pro reverse balayage how to steps get the look sarahzstylz root smudge processing
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Photo Credit: Instagram via @sarahzstylz

 

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