24 Different Ways To Work Balayage If You Haven't Decided What To Get At The Salon Yet
Hair colour trends fade in and out of the limelight fast – so fast it can be tricky to keep up. But balayage hair is one style with serious staying power. Having gained momentum circa 2017, and being favoured by celebrities since for its beachy, lived-in appearance and low-maintenance qualities, it’s just as popular now as it was then. And today, there are more ways to work balayage than ever.
The quickest way to get celeb-worthy caramel hair, natural-looking blonde or that brunette ombre you’ve had on your Pinterest board for months, say hello to balayage and goodbye to stripy highlights.
Firstly, what is balayage?
Derived from the French word meaning ‘to sweep’, balayage is a freehand brush technique that uses hand-painting to create a seamless graduation of lightness from root to tips. Far less routine than highlights, 'it gives colourists more freedom as the colour is applied in a personalised way,' says colour specialist Sophie-Rose Goldworthy.
'It is all about keeping it blended - very blended and natural looking,' says pro colourist Rita Hazan. 'As long as the colours are all in the same family and blend well together - that is the best case. If they don’t blend, it looks stripy and inconsistent. Sarah Jessica Parker and Jessica Alba's balayage colour are just amazing!'
The end result is multi-dimensional and, not to mention, extremely flattering on anyone. Better yet, it can be customised to suit your vibe and preferences. 'For clients with warmer skin tones, opting for golden or honey-toned balayage can enhance warmth and add radiance to their complexion. On the other hand, for clients with cooler skin tones, ashier or cooler-toned ends can create contrast and balance,' Goldsworthy advises.
'An experienced colourist can really contour your appearance using balayage. Lightened areas have the power to lift or widen, while darker sections will fall into the background,' says Tom Smith, trend forecaster and global director at Evo Hair. Knowing this, face-framing pieces can be used to draw attention to features like eye-colour or cheek bones.
How do you look after balayage?
The best part about balayage is how easy (and affordable) it is to maintain. The application technique means you can go longer between salon visits than with highlighting services, because there’s little demarcation between your natural colour and lightened ends. 'For most clients, scheduling a touch-up appointment every 8-12 weeks is suitable to maintain brightness and blend any regrowth seamlessly,' adds Goldworthy.
This step is optional, but should you so wish, 'returning to the salon for toning and moisturising treatments between lightening services will also help to keep balayage fresh and luminous,' Simmons tells us.
At-home care is key to keep your colour bright. 'Clients should invest in a professional colour-save shampoo and conditioner to maintain that salon-finish shine and prevent colour fading,' Goldworthy urges, 'and heat protection is an absolute must when using heated appliances to keep hair in optimum condition between appointments.'
Who is balayage right for?
Balayage can be a great introduction to colour, mostly because the change can be as subtle – or as dramatic – as you wish, and it works on all hair types and lengths (just see our gallery for proof). 'Balayage is great for adding brightness and dimension to hair without the harshness of traditional foil highlights,' says Goldworthy. 'It's also particularly suitable for those with busy lifestyles.'
No wonder this trend has stuck around for so long. Hair trends are gonna come and go, but balayage is forever – that’s the Phoebe Buffay quote from Friends, isn’t it?
Before you take the balayage plunge, check out the celebs who work it well. From Margot Robbie and Lily James, to Gisele and SJP, get all your balayage hair inspiration here.
Olivia Wilde
Take balayage up to your bangs for effortless face-framing and multi-dimensional colour. Light brown balayage looks good on Wilde.
Margot Robbie
We can’t see where Robbie’s roots end and her sunny strands begin: the key to every good blonde balayage.
Lily James
Balayage looks impossibly chic on darker hair; take Lily James’ caramel-chocolate tips as proof.
Vanessa Kirby
Ice blonde balayage is a hair-friendly way to take on the bleach.
Naomie Harris
Dark chocolate roots and mocha tips look epic on a blunt bob.
Natalie Portman
Smoky gold balayage is the latest way to work the caramel hair trend.
Cara Delevingne
Sort of mousey blonde, sort of awesome, Cara's uber natural looking balayage is the one.
Rosie Huntington-Whitely
Huntington-Whitely’s light blonde balayage is so soft and seamless, you'd believe it was natural.
Chrissy Teigen
No need to feel left out, balayage works on loads of types of hair, curly included.
Izzy Bizu
Dark roots, blonde ends and caramel in the middle, Izzy Bizu makes balayage work for her beauty curly hair.
Aubrey Plaza
Caramel tousled waves are the only way for Aubrey Plaza.
Jessica Alba
The ultimate light brown balayage, we'll be looking to Jessica Alba for hair inspo forever.
Jessica Biel
One of the perks of balayage? Working face framing pieces of blonde to update a classic brunette.
Jessica Szohr
Fact - the key to making your hair look Hollywood-worthy is all about multiple tones. Enter balayage.
Gisele
Is there anyone with better blonde than Gisele? The queen of caramel locks shows how to do balayage the right way.
Joan Smalls
Give chocolate locks a blonde fade with balayage applied just on the ends.
Lily Aldridge
The 'I woke up like this' version of balayage, Lily Aldridge's glossy brown is brunette goals.
Rachel Weisz
Balayage doesn't just have to be for blondes. Add warm-toned brown to cooler roots a la Rachel Weisz.
Rashida Jones
Keep your roots a darker brown and the lengths a brighter blonde for a more natural look.
Suki Waterhouse
Lived-in blonde balayage on brown hair is the perfect accessory to any outfit.
Rihanna
If Ri Ri says balayage is in, then dammit balayage is in.
Rose Byrne
Not just for super long hair, balayage adds movement to a choppy tousled bob.
Sarah Jessica Parker
The queen of dirty blondes, balayage is the key to recreating Sarah Jessica Parker's iconic Carrie hair.
Sofia Coppola
Ashy blonde tones painted on to light brown hair look ideal on a new lob.
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