Balayage
Soft, sun-kissed look
A low-maintenance-natural looking technique that can be applied to all hair types
Balayage is ideal for clients who:
- Want a natural look, the hand-painted technique produces softer, less noticeable regrowth.
- Prefer a low-maintenance hair colour technique with re-touches every 10-12 weeks.
- Want a colouring technique that doesn’t damage their natural hair.
- Would like a method that is highly customisable.
What is balayage?
Balayage is a French word that means ‘to sweep.’ It’s our most popular colouring technique and for good reason. Balayage involves hand-painting colour onto sections of hair to create a natural, sun-kissed effect that adds depth and dimension, creating a versatile and timeless look that suits a wide range of hair types, lengths and face shapes.
This popular technique is designed to grow out gracefully with less noticeable regrowth compared to other methods. Unlike traditional highlights, this option doesn’t require frequent salon visits for touch-ups. Perfect for clients who cannot visit the salon regularly. Over time, as the shades become closer to your natural colour, they will gradually lighten.
How balayage is applied
We begin the balayage process with an in-depth consultation. During this discussion, we assess the client’s hair texture, natural hair colour, and desired outcome. This step is crucial in determining where and how the balayage ‘sections’ should be placed and intensified to ensure a customised result that complements the client’s individual features and style while ensuring the health of your natural hair is prioritised.
Following the consultation, our unique free-hand balayage technique is applied. The first step is to strategically select sections of the hair to be lightened. This is usually around the face and along the ends, where light naturally illuminates hair. In order to achieve a seamless transition, the colour is painted onto the hair in a sweeping motion, starting at mid-lengths to the ends and gently blended into the roots to ensure a natural re-growth.
Find out if balayage is right for you
We recommend Balayage to clients looking for a low-maintenance natural-looking hair colour technique for the following reasons:
1. Root Growth Blending: With balayage, the colour is applied to allow a gradual transition from your natural hair colour to the highlighted or coloured sections. As your hair grows, there won’t be a stark contrast between your roots and the rest of your hair, resulting in a less noticeable regrowth compared to other methods.
2. Less Frequent Touch-Ups: Unlike traditional foiling or highlighting methods that require touch-ups every four-six weeks, balayage can go much longer without needing a refresh. You can typically wait eight-twelve weeks or longer between salon visits.
3. Soft and Natural Look: Balayage creates a softer, more natural look than a uniform, all-over colour. This natural effect means that even as the colour gradually lightens over time or as your hair grows, it still looks intentional.
4. Minimal Bleaching: Balayage requires less bleaching than traditional full-head highlights. Since the bleach is strategically applied, it reduces the need for frequent conditioning treatments.
Which lengths suit balayage?
Balayage is a versatile hair colouring technique that complements all hair lengths. By strategically painting colour, balayage creates the illusion of thicker, more voluminous hair with added depth and movement.
For those with shorter styles like pixie cuts and bobs, balayage can add texture and fullness. Concentrating the colour on the tips and face-framing layers brightens the face and adds dimension. A subtle lift, just a shade or two lighter than the base colour, often works best on shorter lengths.
Medium-length hair, such as lobs and shoulder-length cuts, offers more space to play with colour. Balayage can be placed higher towards the roots for a bolder, more dramatic effect or kept lower for a softer, sun-kissed look. Face-framing highlights are also a popular choice for medium lengths, accentuating layers and adding a touch of brightness around the face.
Long hair provides the ultimate canvas for balayage. Multiple shades can be seamlessly blended to create stunning depth and complexity, mimicking the natural highlights made by the sun. With long hair, an even more dramatic ombré effect can be achieved, with a clear transition from dark roots to light ends.
Have any questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the aftercare?
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Wait before washing: Wait at least 48 hours before washing your hair after highlights. This allows the colour to set properly.
Shampoo and Conditioner: Invest in a high-quality, sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner designed for colour-treated hair. These products help preserve colour and prevent fading. We will recommend shampoos and conditioners suitable for your hair type during your consultation.
Reduce Washing Frequency: Wash your hair 2-3 times a week at most. Frequent washing can strip away colour and natural oils.
Protect Your Hair From Chlorine: Chlorine strips colour from your hair. Wear a swimming cap or pre-wet your hair and apply a conditioner before swimming in chlorinated pools.
Following these aftercare tips will help ensure the health of your natural hair, extend the duration of your highlights, and reduce the need for frequent touch-ups.
What is a T-Section Balayage?
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T-Section Highlights focus on the hairline, parting and crown area of the head, highlighting the parts that form a “T” shape when viewed from above. T-section highlights are ideal for those looking for a subtle refresh to their look, adding brightness to the most visible parts of the hair without the need for a full or half head of highlights. This method is cost-effective and less time-consuming than full-head highlights, making it a popular choice for maintaining hair colour with minimal effort. It’s particularly effective for enhancing your natural hair colour or giving a sun-kissed effect to the hair, offering a gentle introduction to hair colouring or an easy way to update your look.
Is Balayage suitable for all hair types?
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Yes, balayage can be customized to suit all hair types and colors, whether you have dark, light, curly, or straight hair. The technique can be adjusted to create a variety of looks from soft and subtle to bold and dramatic.
Whats the difference between balayage and highlights?
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Highlights lighten hair sections in a variety of ways, from subtle, natural-looking shades to dramatic, high-contrast colours. Highlights are particularly popular for adding a uniform lightening effect to hair without changing the base colour.
How often does Balayage need to be retouched?
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In order to maintain the natural and effortless look of Balayage, you’ll require a touch-up every 12 to 18 weeks. During this period, subtle blending and gradual colour transitions remain seamless and fresh. The exact timing of retouch appointments may depend on factors such as hair growth rate and desired maintenance level. Having a retouch every 12-18 weeks helps to keep the balayage effect soft and sun-kissed while minimising noticeable regrowth.
How long does a Balayage take?
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It typically takes 45 minutes to 3 hours to complete a balayage, including the application of colour, processing time, washing, treatment, and styling.
Since the technique is applied by hand and no two balayages are the same, the amount of time can significantly differ from client to client. Longer and thicker hair will need more time.
Does balayage damage hair?
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However, the overall health and integrity of your hair post-colouring significantly depend on the expertise of the hairstylist. A skilled and experienced colourist is crucial in ensuring that the balayage technique is performed correctly, eliminating the risk of damage and achieving the desired outcome. It’s essential to choose a stylist who specializes in balayage and has a proven track record of delivering excellent results.