When we first heard about Balayage, it was a hair game changer. No longer did we have to sit, head in foils, for what felt like forever to end up with hair so stripy it brought us back to the early 2000s. Then suddenly, the internet was filled with enviable Instagram-worthy caramel, beach-tousled hair looks. Aside from looking lush, why is Balayage such a game changer for your hair style?
What is Balayage?
Balayage is a French word meaning âto sweepâ or âto paintâ, and allows for a sun-kissed natural-looking hair colour. âEssentially itâs soft at the root leading to a thicker highlight at the ends of the hair,â says Theresa, the owner of Saffron Hair. âBalayage should be applied on the surface of the section and not saturated through the section until the very tipsâ.
âWhat's the difference between Balayage and OmbrĂ©?
Balayage is a highlighting technique and offers a seamless graduation of darker roots to lighter ends, whereas OmbrĂ© means to shadow. Itâs easy to confuse the two, but the key to Balayage is a subtle sweep from one shade to another. OmbrĂ© on the other hand, goes from a light colour to a dark colour, or vice versa. You can also combine Balayage with ombrĂ© in a merged technique which can be very pretty. SombrĂ© is a softer version of ombrĂ© and is still popular, especially with the more charcoal grey style trends.
âWhat's the difference between Balayage and highlights?
Balayage is the freehand technique that has softer, less noticeable, regrowth lines compared to traditional highlights. The principal idea for Balayage being that less is more when creating soft, natural looks. There's no stripy look like you can get with foil highlights, Balayage emulates the parts of your hair that would naturally lighten in the sun.
ââDoes Balayage require a lot of maintenance?
Balayage typically requires far less maintenance than traditional colour, because it grows out beautifully due to the natural style of it and there are no strong regrowth lines. This also means you can wait for longer between appointments so itâs the perfect technique for a modern, busy woman, or for those worried about another lockdown!
As far as maintenance goes, investing in some good quality colour care styling products will help your colour stay looking fresh for longer. We have a great range of natural products that can keep your hair healthy, from natural shampoos, to heat protection sprays - you can view our shop here.
Balayage is great because...
Balayage creates a totally bespoke, personalised colour finish that will have you feeling as beautiful as your hair looks. Healthy, natural looking hair will always be âinâ, which is why the technique has remained popular for so many years. Depending on what youâre looking for, the finish can be subtle or quite bold. Itâs the ability to completely tailor the colour effect that makes this such a popular colour choice.
