If you’ve always wanted highlighted hair that evokes a natural “sun-kissed” glow, balayage may be the highlighting technique you didn’t know you needed! From the French term for “to sweep” or “to paint,” this beautiful technique results in a natural, tone-on-tone look that is easy to grow out precisely because of its subtlety.
Even though it yields subtle results, the effect is multi-dimensional and stunningly beautiful! Just look at celebrities like Halle Berry and Jennifer Lopez; both of these beauties have showcased this look on the red carpet. The secret to balayage is finding a stylist who has mastered the artistry behind the technique!
How It’s Done
Your stylist needs to be an artist because balayage is a free-hand technique. The stylist applies the color by hand, just inches from your hair’s roots. There are no foils or other aids to ensure an even result. In fact, an even result is precisely what you don’t want!
Like all fine art, the beauty of balayage lies in its slight imperfections. The design of these imperfections creates the illusion that “Mother Nature” provided those lovely, somewhat random highlights! But beware: there’s a difference between “slight imperfection” and sloppiness. Balayage requires a steady hand and a good eye to produce the “effortless” look we all know and love.
Done correctly, Balayage will enhance your color, your curls or waves, and even your cut!
Are You a Good Candidate for Balayage?
If your hair is blonde, red, or light to medium brunette, you’re a fantastic candidate for Balayage. If your hair is darker, (dark brunette to black) you’d do better to try a foil highlight. These highlights are accomplished by painting on color, then wrapping your dark locks in foil to intensify or amplify the effects.
Caring for Your Balayage-Treated Hair
As with all color-treated hair, there are certain precautions you should take when caring for your balayage-treated tresses. With balayage hair, you don’t want to strip your hair of the toner too quickly. Only wash when absolutely necessary and invest in a good dry shampoo to use between washes.
Let’s say you wash your balayage-treated hair twice a week. For one of those washings, use a purple shampoo and conditioner. These products help preserve the “ashy” quality of the toner and prevent any brassiness.
Everyone Loves Balayage
Beauty editors at Marie Claire, Allure, and Harper’s Bazaar have touted the rich subtlety of balayage. They also love the fact that, rather than looking obvious as hair grows out, it somehow manages to look better. The current dark-root trend aside, that’s not something most highlighting techniques can lay claim to!
Non-beauty editors love it because it’s low-maintenance. That’s right; you don’t have to go rushing back to the salon every 4 to 6 weeks! It also looks beautiful on a wide variety of styles and cuts, as well as looking equally stunning on straight, wavy or curly hair. It’s one of the most versatile highlighting techniques ever.
The art of balayage first appeared during the 1970s (merci, France!), but it’s enjoying quite the resurgence. Judging by its popularity, it’s a trend that won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.
You Don’t Have to Live in LA or NYC to Find an Amazing Colorist
Who says that women from the East and West Coasts have a monopoly on incredible hair? If you live in or around Denver, you have access to a team of top-of-the-industry stylists and colorists at Deseo Salon & BlowDry.
At Deseo, our passion is in our craft. Book your appointment today and experience the same level of luxury and expertise found in the salons of New York, Paris, and Milan!