Balayage is a coloring technique that creates flowing color down the length of your hair. Balayage is French for “sweeping,” referring to the sweeping, layered application of color to create this style. The effect of balayage is to create a soft and natural-looking transition between colors, usually from darker to lighter shades.
How is Balayage Created?
The balayage coloring technique is done freehand, often without foils. Your hairdresser paints highlights onto your hair in sweeping motions, creating a flowing, natural transition as they move further down your hair length. This process adds dimension and shading, creating a fresh and full look. Because of this natural transition process, balayage works great when you want to grow out your hair afterward. While often done to add blonde color to darker hair, you can customize your look with different highlight colors. Try it with more wild shades to create a look that is unique to you.
How Balayage Differs from Highlights
“Highlights” generally refer to adding color to your hair that is lighter than your base or natural color. Usually, applying traditional highlights utilizes foils to trap heat and apply color to certain sections of the hair. This is often done close to the scalp to keep the color close to the scalp. Balayage is freehand and does not require foils. The technique is also used further down from the roots of the hair to create a more natural transition of color. While both are multi-tonal and create dimension, balayage takes it a step further by creating a stylistic transition between the base color and the highlighter. Because highlights are often closer to the root, they require more color maintenance to make the style look natural.
Natural Color Transitions & Maintenance
Because balayage helps your color transition in a natural-looking way, you can take more time between appointments to maintain your color. Since the color transition doesn’t start near the root, this technique allows you to grow out your hair and still maintain the transition well. This can mean fewer trips to the salon to color your roots. Less color treatments also lets your hair grow more between treatments.
Customizing your Look
It’s easy to customize your look to fit your unique style with balayage. Every balayage is different, from the color you choose to the length of the effect and the gradient. Some people choose more than one color to transition between as the color sweeps down. Talk with your hairdresser to discuss how they can customize your balayage treatment to best fit you. Inspiration pictures can also go a long way in helping your stylist create the look you want.
Ooh La La specializes in a variety of hairstyle techniques to help you find the right look for you. Book a time with one of our professional hairstylists today. Contact us or call 718-727-2694 today.