"Honey, caramel, or amber tones work perfectly as a lowlight for blondes, because going too ashy with the lowlights can make the color look flat and muddy," says Papanikolas.

To achieve the perfect blend, ask your colorist for blonde hair with lowlights that are no more than three shades darker than the blonde color. The lowlights should complement your skin tone and current hue, as well.

When choosing the color for your lowlights, it’s important to remember that you want a subtle contrast between the light and dark tones. Think about what shades would pair well with your natural shade. For example, if you have blonde hair, then warm golden tones will look great as lowlights.

Highlights are a few shades lighter than your hair, while lowlights are a few shades darker. If you want a more subtle, natural effect, go about 2 shades darker. If you want a more dramatic effect, go 4 to 5 shades darker.

Although lowlights should be darker than your base hair color, don’t mistake that for instructions to dye the bottom layer of your hair near-black. “Lowlights don't necessarily have to be a dark shade,” Gibson explains. “It could even be a medium blonde shade for a very light blonde.”