How to Get a Dimensional Hair Color

What makes a brunette stand out from the crowd of her brown-haired peers? Well, if recent trends are any sort of indicator, then it’s clear that the answer is dimension, dimension, dimension. From ombré and balayage to lowlights and babylights, an eye-catching hair color (brunette or not) is all about subtle, tone-on-tone enhancements that really brighten up your hair color while accentuating your eyes and skin tone. So, forget about streaky, chunky highlights, these days it’s all about more natural-looking, flowing tresses that will make others wonder if maybe, just maybe, that’s your untouched hue. Want to be in the know and learn how to bring this naturally flawless look to life? Read on for our guide on different ways to get a dimensional hair color.

WHAT IS A DIMENSIONAL HAIR COLOR?

We touched on this a little, but you may still be wondering what it means to add dimension to hair. The idea of a dimensional hair color is to incorporate a multitude of complementing tones throughout your mane. This will instantly add movement and body to your mane, and completely negate that flat, one-shade hair color most of us dread.

HOW TO ADD DIMENSION TO YOUR HAIR

If you’re ready to add dimension to your locks, here are a few ways to do so.

#1. BALAYAGE

If you want a natural-looking set of highlights to tie your look together, then balayage is the way to go. Known for its freehand painting technique—as opposed to foils or cap highlights—balayage targets individual strands of hair for a sun-kissed look that’s full of depth and dimension.

#2. OMBRÉ

Looking for something a little more extreme, while still channeling a natural beachy vibe? Ombré is the perfect option to add dimension to your locks. What makes this look so eye-catching is the way the lightening begins around your ears and extends to the ends of your hair. Use the L’Oréal Paris Colorista Bleach in Ombré Bleach to DIY the look.

#3. LOWLIGHTS

Typically at least two tones darker than your natural hair color, lowlights add serious depth and dimension to your ‘do. When this process is used, your natural hair color becomes the highlight, which really brings out your skin’s radiance.

#4. BABYLIGHTS

What happens when you spend a lot of time in the sun? Ever so slightly brightened streaks start to pop up, and we’re always sad to see them disappear come summer’s end. If you’re craving a sun-drenched look regardless of the season, opt for babylights. This technique is known to add warmth to your appearance via super-skinny highlighted strands. For optimal sun-kissed results, choose a dye that’s just one shade lighter than your natural color.

#5. FOIL HIGHLIGHTS

Perhaps the most traditional way to get a dimensional hair color, foil highlights involve lightening thin, strands from roots to ends for a uniform look. After applying bleach, your hairdresser will wrap each strand in foil to speed up the lightening process, hence the name. This is a great option for those who want the end result of their coloring session to be an overall lighter-looking mane.

#6. UNDERLIGHTS

Prefer subtle dimension? If you want to ease into a dimensional hair color, you can keep your multi-toned mane a secret with the help of underlights. This peek-a-boo hair color trend involves highlighting the underneath layer of your hair. When you wear your hair down, no one will see the difference, but when you wear it up, your dimensional hair color will be the star of the show!

HOW TO GET A DIMENSIONAL HAIR COLOR AT HOME

If you’re looking to change up your hair color, you have two options: You can either make an appointment with a colorist at a salon, or you can DIY dye it. If you’re thinking of making a drastic hair color transformation, heading to the salon is your best bet, as it may take multiple sessions to get the hue you want. If you feel comfortable and confident in your DIY dyeing skills, here are tips on how to bring painted balayage-esque babylights to life without leaving your bathroom. Serious dimension, here you come!

STEP 1. CHOOSE YOUR DYE

To add dimension to your hair, grab a box of dye that’s one shade lighter than you mane.

STEP 2. STOCK UP ON SUPPLIES

We’re talking plastic gloves, a disposable mixing bowl, a color tint brush, and a timer.

STEP 3. MIX YOUR DYE

Following the instructions on your boxed dye, mix the ingredients in the bowl so that you can begin painting on your natural-looking dimension. Be sure to use gloves so as not to dye your hands accidentally.

STEP 4. PAINT AWAY

Using the color tint brush, create face-framing highlights and babylights by gently sweeping color on to carefully selected strands. Be sure to start at your roots and work your way down to your ends for the most natural look. Try the L’Oréal Paris Colorista Bleach in Highlights.

STEP 5. SET YOUR TIMER

Let hair sit for the advised amount of time as indicated on the packaging before checking your color progress. If it looks good when your timer goes off, you can move to the next step.

STEP 6. RINSE IT OUT

Once your color has reached its optimal shade, simply wash it out with shampoo and conditioner.

STEP 7. PROTECT YOUR NEW HUE

It’s time to amp up your hair care routine with a color-safe shampoo and conditioner, like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Repair & Defend Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Repair & Defend Conditioner. To take your color care a step further, try adding the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Repair Remedy Balm to your routine as well.

STEP 8. KEEP IT BRASS-FREE

It’s no secret that highlighted hair tends to get brassy. To avoid this, make sure you have a purple shampoo and conditioner on-hand, like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Purple Shampoo for Color Treated Hair and L’Oréal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Purple Conditioner for Color Treated Hair. Once a week, when hair starts to look brassy, use the duo in place of your regular shampoo and conditioner.

After all this hair color talk, if you’re craving a bolder hair color idea, check out our article, How to Get Rainbow Bangs for a Major Mane Makeover.