What is Balayage?
Vogue Australia nailed it with their definition…
—“The word translates as ‘to sweep’ and for the non-Francophiles it has distinct French origins dating from the 1970s. Bleach is applied in horizontal strokes freehand, usually to the ends and around the face to emphasize movement and create depth and dimension.”
#bmastershair painting balayage highlights
So why should you jump on the balayage train? Below are my top 5 reasons why it may be the perfect choice for you and your hair.
1. Relive the good ole’ days.
Were you a blondie as a child but finally realized one day your childhood lightness is now quite a dark blonde? Good news is you can recreate a similar look by painting strategically placed highlights. Balayage will create a gradient lift and lightness, reminiscent of your childhood sun kissed locks.
2. You are a hair color newbie.
Never colored your hair? So many people hold off on coloring their hair, fearing an obnoxious change that just doesn't fit their style. Balayage is all about enhancing what is already existing by magnifying what the sun would naturally do, if you were lucky enough to spend the summer lounging in the Côte d’Azur…
Wonderful thing about balayage is it can be as deliberate and bold as soft and effortless, all in the hand of the stylist sweeping color onto your hair.
Subtle balayage by #bmastershair
3. Do you have grey hair?
If you are starting to feel like your base color touch up every 4 weeks is getting overwhelmingly flat and monochromatic, balayage is a beautiful way to revive your locks.
Painting on some subtle highlights adds dimension and depth into your color. Monochromatic hair is replaced with movement of tonality. This dimension also helps distract the eye, meaning less focus on the root grow out and more throughout the mid and end lengths.
4. Are you scared you’ll look like a calico cat?
You have dark hair and you DREAD the brassy orange tones.
Chances are you’ve heard a horror story from a friend with luscious brunette hair who tried to get highlights…and she left with orange hair, or worse..Yellow/blonde highlights terribly clashing with her natural coloring.
So you have decided against coloring your all natural hair, for fear of a similar story. I totally get it, I hear it all the time. BUT I am here to tell you, there is a way around it.
Most color lines have multiple options to lift your natural hair color into beautiful, balanced and neutralized shades. Translation: easier to avoid bozo the clown hair color.
They tend to be labeled as High Lift Color. Do your research and ask your stylist about ALL other options to reach your desired result. Photos are a wonderful way of translating what you would like for your ideal outcome.
Soft, tonal balayage highlight. Using hair color only! Rich and natural looking. #bmastershair
5. You can’t commit to a high maintenance look.
Confession. I am a hairstylist, I color my own hair…about every 5 months.!
Truth is, us stylists are busy bees as the rest of you I am sure are. I need my hair to look good from month 1 of coloring all the way to that 5th month if I push it. The beauty of this technique is the application allows for a soft root if you choose. This means I won’t have a patterned head of foils growing out all together…Allowing me to move into a more effortless "rooty" golden blonde.
There are many wonderful benefits to balayage. The key to a successful hair appointment is strong communication on both ends so don’t be afraid to bring photos, ask questions and get as much feedback from your stylist! Ask for an extra 15 minutes at the beginning of your service to discuss your options as it will allow proper time for application and processing.
Interested in booking an appointment? Have any questions about your hair? I’d love to help you out. Email me at info@bmastershair.com and we will connect soon.
xo,
Brittany
