What is a balayage?
The word “balayage” is French, and it literally means “sweep” or “paint.” You pronounce it “bah-lee-ahj.” Balayage is a painting technique that creates a sunkissed look. It’s typically brighter around the face and the ends and blended at the root.
It's a freehand painting technique that, by dipping a brush into a lightener and sweeping it across the hair's surface, can create a soft, multidimensional, and natural-looking highlight. It's more natural because it creates different lightness levels instead of the uniform (single-dimensional) highlights that foils create.
The Benefits
Balayage is perfect for anyone who wants a low to medium maintenance level. It creates a touch of warmth for a sun-kissed look that you only need to maintain 1-2 times a year.
If you want to lighten your hair significantly or break up your base color, you’ll come in every 3-4 months. It's a softer look than traditional highlights, and it’s less damaging.
The Drawbacks
Balayage creates warmer tones. The darker the natural hair, the warmer the tones. You can’t achieve a specific tone with balayage, so you must be willing to go along for the ride. If you have a specific tone in mind and you like the beautiful and natural blend of balayage, let your stylist know, and they’ll use other techniques to get that look for you.
The more often you come in for your balayage, the lighter your stylist can get it. You'll need to keep up with more frequent toners to keep the unwanted warmth under control.
How To Prepare
Bring multiple inspiration photos to represent your desired result. There are too many techniques and names that represent different things to stylists, and photos make it easier for the stylist to understand what you want.
Come with clean hair. Dirty hair hinders the lifting process. Use Olaplex No. 3 at least three days before your service to strengthen your hair before your color service.
Balayage is highly customized to each individual. Arrive with your go-to hairstyle so that we can see how you wear it and where to put your highlights based on the way it looks when you style it.
What To Expect During The Process
Your stylist will choose different strands of hair to apply the lightener, typically concentrating more on the front of your hair and around the ends. What your stylist leaves out is just as important as what they include. This creates a beautifully blended look.
Every appointment is different based on the current state of your hair and the look you're going for.
Aftercare
You'll want to book a toner and hairline touch-up between balayage appointments to maintain the brightness. Moisturizing shampoos and conditioners are a must, and you’ll want to use serums on the ends to keep them from drying out. Use purple toning shampoos to keep it from becoming too brassy.
