Are you someone who likes to have a lot of options and lives for versatility when it comes to hair? If you like to keep things new and fresh regularly but don’t want to be at the hairdresser every week, Bottom lighting Maybe the hair color trend you’ve been waiting for!
We’ve put together this comprehensive guide to bottom lighting so you can learn what they are, how to get them, and most importantly how to style bottoms.
Fast facts
- Underlighting is an exciting way to add pops of color to the bottom of your hair.
- Underlighting is lower maintenance than other hair colors and can suit many different lifestyles. They are also a great way to try a new hair color without a huge commitment.
- Your stylist can help you achieve your basic dreams, bringing them lots of inspirational photos to get the look you love.
- You can style your bottom in many different ways, including braids, half-up/half-down, or sleek and smooth hanging
What are Underlights?
Bottoms are a secret pop of color hidden beneath the top layers of your natural hair color. They have become very trendy because of their fit.
When it comes to underlights, the options are endless. You can use a wide variety of colors and there are several options where you can place the underwear in the lower parts of the hair.
You can use vibrant colors like hot pink or light blue for your bottom or you can choose more natural shades like platinum blonde or jet black.
You can go for a more subtle placement by choosing ribbons of color that intertwine with your natural hair color or choose a color block where all under hair is dyed one solid shade or blocks of multiple colors.
Whatever you choose, knowing you have a fun little surprise under your hair can really make you feel like a whole new person!
*Remember that when choosing a vibrant shade for your bottom, you may need to bleach your hair first! If you choose a natural shade, you can usually apply the color directly to the hair!
Why choose underlights?
With so many hair color options available, why choose underwear?
maintenance
This is one of the most popular reasons people choose underlights. Lightening and general color may require frequent trips to the salon for root touch-ups and toners.
Because undercuts are at the bottom of your hair, the roots are less prominent so you can go longer between touch-ups.
lifestyle
Another great reason to choose underlights is lifestyle. If you are someone who works in the corporate world or have a big event coming up, vibrant color may not be an option for you.
With underlighting, you can have fun color without having to find a whole new career hehe! You can wear your hair down to the office and for a night on the town, you can throw it up in a fun updo and let your wild side shine!
Running test
Maybe you’re considering a new color to wear all over your hair but you’re not quite ready to take the plunge.
Adding underlights to your hair can be a great way to try a new color without having to change your entire hair. Take this hair color for a test drive!
How to get underwear
Now that we’ve talked all about what panties are, we need to know how to get them! Since undercuts are on the bottom half of your hair, it can be difficult to do them yourself due to lack of visibility. Getting them done with your favorite hairstylist is your best bet!
Here is what to expect in the living room:
Step 1: Research and consultation
Once you’ve made an appointment with your stylist, be sure to do your research beforehand and understand what colors and placement you’re looking for.
Bring lots of inspirational photos of underwear lights you love to your meeting. This will help you and your stylist get a good consultation and come up with a great plan for your new underwear.
Step 2: Hair cutting
Your stylist will part your hair. Leave the top part of your hair tied so they can work on the bottom parts. They may cut a large chunk of hair or cut smaller sections with ribbon, depending on the look you’re going for.
Step 3: Applying paint
The color is applied. You may need to do this in two steps if you’ve chosen vibrant shades. Vibrant fashion colors such as blues, purples, etc. should be applied to pre-lightened hair.
Your stylist may apply bleach first, process the bleach for 30-60 minutes, dry your mouth, and then repeat the same steps with your chosen shades. If you chose a more natural shade, the color can be applied immediately and you can skip the bleach.
Step 4: processing and washing
The color will be processed (usually for 30 minutes to an hour) and then washed out of the hair. Your stylist will shampoo and condition all of your hair and you will be ready for the most important step, the big exposure and blow drying!
Step 5: Drying and blow molding
The hair will dry as well as be styled and you will be able to see your underlights in all their glory! Your stylist will send you home with products to help your color last and keep your hair healthy.
Underlights hair styling ideas
Now that you’ve got your basics down, it’s time for the fun to begin! We’ll go over all the best ways to style your bottom. From subtle to bold, here are all the ways to show off those lights.
polished and smooth
This is a great option during the work week. When you wear your hair down and style it smooth and sleek, you’ll only see little hints of your underwear. You will leave people wanting more and we love a little mystery!
How to design:
Start by applying a heat protectant to wet hair. Dry hair with a paddle brush. Use the tension of the paddle brush to blow dry the hair shaft, keeping it completely dry and as smooth as possible.
Go back to dry hair with a flat iron to get that perfect shiny finish. Take small sections when flat ironing to ensure hair stays smooth all day.
beach waves
When you’re rocking beachy waves, you take it up a notch! The texture of the beachy wave will allow your bottoms to pop out just a little more than when wearing your hair straight. A beach wave is still great to wear to a meeting, but you can also wear it to a show on the weekends!
How to design:
Start with clean, dry hair. Use a 1-inch curling iron to curl small sections of hair (½-1 inch), alternately curling the hair toward your face and away from your face.
The key to beachy waves is to keep the ends of the hair straight, making sure to leave the last inch or two out of the curling iron. Finish with a sea salt spray for an eggy texture!
braids
Braids are always a great way to show off size, and the bottoms will really add a surprising pop to any braid style. A French braid or a fishtail braid are great options to let your bottoms have their moment in the spotlight. We love this look for festivals, brunch, and a day at the farmers market.
How to design:
Start with dry hair and gather three separate pieces of hair where you want your braid to begin. Instead of crossing the pieces of hair over each other, cross the strands under each other, giving a waterfall effect.
Do the same on the other side. When you reach the end of the braids, secure them with an elastic. You can also do one big braid.
Once the braid is secure, pull pieces of hair along the braid for a fuller look (gently pulling on the highlights will give them extra pop!).
Koko
Ponytails may seem basic, but this back look really elevates this style. Slick back bangs are taken to the next level when you see your natural color layered right over those fun pops of color added by your bottom.
High bangs can be used to really show off the bottom of your hair while low bangs can show off just a touch of color.
How to design:
For a high ponytail that will really show your bottom, start by smoothing the front and sides of your hair. After smoothing the hair back with a brush, gather all the hair at the top of the head and secure it with an elastic.
To finish, take a colored strand from the ponytail and wrap it around the elastic. Secure it with a bobby pin. Hairspray the ponytail to prevent flyaways.
Updates
A classic French twist with a bright edge. We love to see classic elegant style but with fun pops of color. It brings a new meaning to business in the front party from the back.
There are so many different updo styles that you can play around with to find the ones that really show off your secret hair color. Fashionable attire with under lighting for a formal event can spice up any outfit and make heads really turn!
How to design:
For a classic French twist with a modern edge. Start by brushing all the hair to one side of the back of your head. Use bobby pins to secure the hair to the side you brushed your hair as well.
Use one of your hands to rake the bottom of your hair and use the other hand to twist the hair up and over the previously pinned hair, again pinning the hair up as you twist.
When you get to the top of the twist take any loose hair at the top and pin those hairs underneath and into the twist. Hairspray and you’re out the door!
half up / half down
Now we are talking! A half-up or half-down hairstyle is our top pick to really show off those bottoms. This is such a cool look for any location and bottom color, but it’s especially eye-catching with color-blocked lighting.
The contrast between your natural and the color block is amazing. You will definitely turn heads with this one!
How to design:
Using a tail comb, section off the top of your hair. Be careful to leave all your bottom lights outside of this top so you can really show off the contrasting colors. After parting the top section of your hair, secure it with a clear rubber band.
From here you can get creative! You can tie the top into a cute top knot, wrap hair around the elastic for a classic look or do a simple half ponytail. You can curl the part down or leave it straight!
How to maintain your bottom
You’ve learned how to achieve these basic points and how to style them. We can’t forget to keep them!
1. In the touch-up salon
While you don’t have to touch up your undertones as often as other hair colors, you’ll still want to see your stylist every 3-4 months for a touch-up depending on the colors and placement you’ve chosen.
The bottom position of the color block will probably require a little more maintenance, as will some of the more vibrant colors.
2. Shampoo and conditioner
Just because your hair color is sometimes out of sight, doesn’t mean it has to be out of mind. To maintain vitality and healthy hair, it is important to use salon quality shampoo and conditioner!
3. Heat protection
It is also suitable for heat styling. To protect your bottom using a heat shield when you plan to dry or use hot tools is a must; Using a heat protectant is another great way to help your color look great over time.