Close your eyes and picture balayage.
You are probably picturing a very beachy look. Perhaps hair with a brown base and blonde highlights, with a natural root.
That is the most common thing people picture when they think of balayage.
However, balayage does not refer to a look. Balayage is a technique.
It is far more versatile than people realize. If you are looking for low-maintenance highlights, we may suggest balayage.
What Is Balayage?
Balayage means sweep. As a highlighting technique, it involves sweeping the color directly on the hair. The stylist has more control.
Why Choose Balayage?
- Low maintenance hair color
- Subtle
- Looks natural
- It can be tailored to create different looks
- It helps hair stay healthier
- Allows you to stretch the time between coloring appointments
- Creates a blended effect
What Is the Balayage Process?
Keep in mind that balayage refers to the sweeping technique.
With traditional highlights, the stylist uses foils to create symmetry. Therefore, that process involves carefully creating tiny sections of hair and foiling them.
Balayage involves sweeping highlights on the hair. It is less methodical but can be more time-consuming.
Stylists also take an individual approach to each balayage application. In some instances, the stylist will use foils or cotton to separate the selected strands from the rest of the hair. In other instances, the stylist will not separate the hair.
The look we want to create determines the number and placement of the highlights, as well as the approach we take. Therefore, the balayage process differs from customer to customer.
The ends result is a custom natural looking highlights, for a sun-kissed, youthful appearance.
Can I Transition to Balayage from Other Coloring Techniques?
Absolutely.
Many people choose the lower-maintenance balayage after having other coloring techniques.
Transitioning to the sought-after balayage beach effect may require some extra steps.
Consultation with your stylist is important.
Can You Use a Balayage Hair Technique for Other Coloring?
Many people want a beachy effect from their balayage.
However, the technique works great for any look where you want to avoid precision. It gives a natural appearance, even with unnatural colors.
We love balayage for our adventurous clients who like a hint of bright color. The technique can create gorgeous, subtle mermaid hair.
How Is Balayage Healthier for My Hair?
Even using the gentlest color and bleaches can be damaging to your hair. The more we process the identical strands of hair, the more likely they are to be damaged.
That is true, regardless of the coloring process.
Balayage reduces the likelihood of damage to your hair. We process less hair than in traditional color applications. The result is that a smaller percentage of your hair is processed. The hair looks less damaged and dry.
In addition, the more extended grow-out period means fewer touchups. Fewer touchups suggest we apply colors less frequently. That all adds up to less damage.
Why Is Balayage More Expensive Than Traditional Highlights?
To customers, balayage can seem like it is easier than traditional highlights.
The foil application seems like it is difficult. For an experienced stylist, using foils to create highlights is simple.
Balayage is more challenging. While the results may look carefree, the stylist must use skill and experience to determine the correct placement of each brushstroke.
The process takes longer and is more complex than traditional highlights.
That is why many salons charge more for balayage than for traditional highlights.
On the other hand, balayage requires fewer touchups to look fresh and new.
The total yearly costs of traditional highlights and balayage end up being similar.
How Frequently Will I Need Balayage?
This question can be challenging to answer.
Balayage can be subtle or dramatic.
For a subtle balayage with only a few shade variations, you could grow it out without ever reapplying color. The look would mimic end-of-summer hair.
For a more dramatic balayage, the touchup period is every two to three months.
Is Balayage the Same as Ombre?
No, but also maybe.
While people use the term balayage to describe a particular beachy effect, you must keep in mind that it refers to a technique.
An ombre effect refers to a blending of the hair from one color to another. It moves along the length of the hair.
The result is visible horizontal changes in color. The effect should not be horizontal stripes of color, but there should be a noticeable gradient.
A stylist could use a balayage technique to create an ombre effect.
Most stylists will use at least some balayage technique to create an ombre.
Is Balayage the Same as Shatush?
Just like ombre, this is another time where the answer can be confusing.
Shatush involves backcombing the hair before the stylist applies the color.
The result is very natural-looking highlights.
The inventor of the shatush technique, Aldo Coppola, used his hands to sweep on highlights. Stylists may emulate him and use their hands or choose to use a brush.
Therefore, a shatush technique could incorporate balayage.
Is Balayage Right for Me?
Darling, that is why we insist on a consultation.
Many clients come to us asking for a specific technique. However, few clients care about the method we use. What you really want is a distinct look.
Balayage may or may not be the best way to get the look you want.
Contact us today to schedule your consultation. We will find out how you want your hair to look and explain the steps to help you reach your hair goals.
