21 balayage ideas to bookmark
If you’re more of a regular at your nearest F45 studio than your local coffee shop, then you probably wash your hair multiple times a week. As you know, this can result in dry locks – something that colouring them will only exacerbate. Which is why you should know about balayage.
What is balayage?
Invented in France in the seventies and taken from a word meaning ‘to sweep’, it’s a way of colouring the hair that involves a stylist free hand painting dye through your mane in the open air (as opposed to uniform foil highlights).
Is balayage bad for your hair?
'Unlike colouring or highlights, balayage done properly is low maintenance as it lasts a lot longer – which allows for fewer appointments,' says balayage expert hair colourist Jack Howard. This means that often washed/ tied up hair takes fewer hits from dye, resulting in a healthier crowning glory.
Balayage – or shatush, which is a very similar technique invented in Italy – we are trying to do the least damage to the hair as is possible,' says Gennaro Dell'Aquila, the owner of the London-based GA Luxury Hair Salons.
'We're free painting, rather than using foils, to highlight the right spots, rather than everywhere.'
Are ombré and balayage the same thing?
They're similar, but not quite the same. The word 'ombré' means 'to shadow,' and refers to your hair colour gradually going from a darker shade to a lighter shade.Balayage, however, refers to the painting technique being applied to your hair.
What's balayage with natural colour?
If you want to keep your hair in as good shape as possible, then you'll want to know about colouring with natural hair dye. At Dell'Aquila's salons, all colour is created using 100% natural and organic herbs, taken from a variety of 91 plants.'It works very similar to the way that henna works,' he says. 'Instead of penetrating whole way into the hair, as with traditional dye, it binds, so it sits like a jacket on top. The end result is hair that is more vibrant and glossy.'
What is the best colour for balayage?
Nathan Walker, Trevor Sorbie’s Brand Educational Director tells WH, 'balayage works best when the colour is only 4-5 levels lighter than your natural colour and blends seamlessly - if you have darkest brown hair and are looking to be almost white blonde this will takes months of building up the colour and multiple applications to lift the colour, so start more natural and begin the balayage journey.'
Does balayage work on grey hair?
It's a seamless and stylish vibe, but, thanks to the free painting element, it's not going to mask all your greys. Walker explains that it also all depends on what you want to do with the grey hair, 'bedding some blonde is a good low maintenance option, but many prefer to cover the grey hair and then balayage the ends for a softer look.'
What is the downside of balayage?
'The down side to balayage is that seems to be most popular darker haired people and they often show pictures that are grown out hi lights, It’s also the most over used word in hairdressing. Just because you know the word it doesn’t mean its best to achieve your look, get professional advice and talk about the end result - not the technique,' says Walker.
What is the trend in balayage in 2024?
'I think 2024 we’ve seen many more pick and mix balayage, combining foil techniques to aid lift with balayage techniques to ensure a more blending current feel and look to the balayage'' schools Walker.
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