Balayage is a French word meaning "to sweep" or "to paint". It's a partial hair colouring technique widely used across the world. Here is why you'll fall in love with balayage.

Balayage Allows For A Fully Personalised Look

Although many people believe that balayage is an end result or a trend, it's actually a technique that allows the colourist to create a wide range of looks. It's a freehand hair colouring technique that was created by French colourists back in the 1970s. This technique gets its name because of the process of sweeping the colour through the hair with a brush and a backing board.

This gives the colourist more freedom to apply the colour where they deem fit, which allows them to create a totally bespoke, personalised colour finish.

Contrary to what you might think, balayage is not just for blondes. This hair technique with its numerous shades brightens up and adds dimension to the hair regardless of its natural shade. Although balayage is famous for that sun-kissed natural-looking hair colour, talented colourists are able to create the widest range of effects from a sun-kissed glow to the brightest, clearest blondes, dimensional brunettes, and fiery redheads.

The only limit is your imagination: honey and caramel highlights are great for brown hair; golden blonde and California balayage are great for brown and dark blonde hair; and very light blonde hair can be enhanced with ash-gray pigments, silver tones or even icy shades like polar blonde.

Though, in order to manage expectations, it's worth mentioning that, like all things colouring, your base colour, your current colour and the state of your hair are important factors to factor in when choosing your next look. Worry not, our expert colourists are happy to help. In fact, we offer a free colour consultation, with no strings attached, so that you can explore your options :).

Balayage Is Low Maintenance & Good Value For Money

Because no foils are used to apply the product, sections are less saturated than typical highlights and demarcation (regrowth) lines are less noticeable. Besides, the hair strands bleached are much finer than with highlights. This creates highlights that blend in subtly with your natural colour. As a result, it’s easier to maintain compared to traditional colouring techniques.

You only need a top up every 12 weeks, compared to 8 weeks for highlights and 4-6 weeks for a full head colour. That's why, even if the upfront cost is higher than a colour, it works out about the same or even cheaper over time. Plus, you save time by visiting your local salon less often.

Last but not least, because there's no obvious regrowth lines with a balayage, if you miss your appointment, you'll still look great - the same can't be said with a full head colour!

Balayage Can Be Used On Most Hair Types & Colours

Balayage can be used on all hair types, colours and lengths - except super short hair, as there is not enough hair to create that gradual transition of colour. Also, it doesn’t suit very frizzy, Afro-type curls as the hair is not the right texture to showcase that lovely transition.

Whilst traditional balayage features blonde highlights, you can totally experiment with colour. For example, reverse balayage is trending these days—this look features light hair on top and darker hair woven throughout from your mid-lengths to ends.

It's A Gentler Alternative to Other Hair Colouring Techniques

As with all highlighting techniques, balayage requires lightening, which means you’ll need to have your hair bleached. The darker your starting colour (and the lighter you want to go with your balayage highlights), the more work it’ll take to achieve your desired end result. So, keep in mind that you might be in for multiple sessions depending on what you start with and what you want your hair too look like at the end of the process.

However, if you opt for balayage, less hair strands will end up being dyed compared to highlights, and far less compared to a full head colour. Besides, as you won't be required to visit your salon as often as with other colouring methods, it makes balayage a very gentle way to enhance your natural beauty.

Adopting the right maintenance routine can also make a difference. The colour will naturally fade over time, so it’s a good idea to put a toner or gloss on your balayage between your colour appointments to keep your balayage looking shiny and fresh. Also, make sure you use appropriate shampoos and conditioners for coloured hair to keep your hair looking gorgeous while extending the life of your colour.

How to pronounce Balayage?

Ask a member of staff 😉.

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