Ombre Lowlights And Ombre Highlights

The Ombre coloring is becoming trendy all over the world now. Perhaps it is an answer to over-processed unhealthy tresses.

What is it? "Ombre" means shadow in French language. It is actually making light hair darker at the root area down the mid hair shaft, and the ends are kept (or bleached) very light. Thus Ombre lowlights.

But what about ladies who have dark hair. That can be done with 2 different strengths of bleach. Which is can be called Ombre highlights. Watch the video at the bottom of this post.

When applying these Ombre coloring techniques, a great care must be taken when applying the tint, so it comes out in the most natural and soft gradient (fading) way. It could be done with a single process or as lowlights. And there are many different techniques how to do it. Each colorist will do it slightly differently. And it is OK. As long as the transition from dark to light is very gentle.


With a single process (if the hair is heavily highlighted)

• mix  two different colors separately (one darker and one about shade lighter) and bleach (if your hair is uniform in color and not light enough on the ends)
• apply the darker tint on the roots (about 1/4 down the hair shaft - the longer the hair is the longer the root application)
• then take the one shade lighter color and apply it trough the mid section of the hair shaft - overlap the darker shade
• apply the bleach on the tips of your hair (if needed)

Process all hair for about 30 minutes. Shampoo a couple of times or until all tint is out of your hair. Condition the hair. Style.

With balayage lowlights (or as some may call it highlights and i the hair is not overly blond) 

• mix one color only
• mix bleach (if your color is too uniform and not light enough on the ends)
• working in sections - apply a heavier balayage at the root area and thinly spread balayage in mid section
• if you desire very light tips apply bleach

With foil lowlights (or as some may call it highlights and i the hair is not overly blond)

• mix one color only
• mix bleach (if your color is too uniform and not light enough on the ends)
• working in sections - weave hair thickly every other section and apply a heavier tint at the root area on about 1/4 length of the hair
• weave hair thinly every other section and apply a tint down from root area to the mid section of the hair
• if you desire very light tips, apply bleach

Ombre on dark hair

great technique even for someone at home who is handy

Credit
The image of Drew Barrymore is a perfect image of a beautifully done Ombre coloring. I found this image on www.karibousalon.com.

Note:

This post should be taken as a first step for a discussion with your hairdresser and/or colorist about your ideas, desires or problems with your hair. Under no circumstances, you should act upon this post ONLY. I strongly advice you to have your hair done by a skilled and reputable hairdresser/colorist in your area.