We realize that the world of hair dying may feel like a minefield. From highlights to lowlights, splashlights, babylights and ombre, it's tough to know where to begin and what to ask for.
If you’re uncertain about balayage, we can address all your burning concerns about this super-chic hair coloring procedure.
What is balayage?
Balayage (derived from the French term for ‘sweeping’) is a delicate freehand colouring technique. Colour is applied directly onto selected parts of the hair without using foil. The effect is a more natural, sun-kissed tone, without any strong contrast between hues.
Your balayage colour may be tailored unique for you, and it’s a terrific method to remodel your style without making too many big alterations.
What's the difference between balayage and highlights?
Balayage is a softer, more natural appearing outcome than typical foil highlights. Regrowth lines are less obvious, and the lines are more delicate, providing a golden, sun-kissed appearance that recreates a few weeks spent somewhere warm.
What's the difference between balayage and ombre?
Balayage is a blended style — it’s a gentle, delicate manner of adding graded colour, and there should be no hard lines or blocks of colour.
Ombre hair has a more pronounced contrast between the roots and the ends of your hair - and extra color starts midway down your strands. Both ombre (meaning ‘shade’ in French) and sombre (meaning ‘dark’ in French) are two-toned styles that are darker at the roots, fading to lighter tones at the ends. With ombre, you can frequently perceive quite a sharp shift in tone, while somber is more natural and blends more easily - but they’re both still more dramatic than balayage.
What’s the difference between full and partial balayage?
A full balayage implies all of your hair will be lightened using this process. A partial balayage is done to just the top and outer layers of your hair, so the layers below preserve your original color.
What is reverse balayage?
Reverse balayage is when your stylist utilizes dark hues to provide lowlights around your roots and throughout your strands to add depth and complexity to your colour. If your blonde balayage has turned brassy or you desire a change, reverse balayage can tone it down, giving depth back at the root to offset the blonde.
Do I have to grow out current foil colour before having balayage?
No - the beauty of balayage is that it’s low-maintenance, and can be done over existing colour. The process itself is about working with the colour of your hair, since highlights are placed from the mid-lengths downwards. A colourist may also rejuvenate roots with natural balayage colour and cover up any greys.
Do I have to have blonde balayage?
Not at all. If you’ve never colored your hair before, balayage is the excellent alternative for enhancing your hair colour. Although butter blonde, ash or honey balayage are the go-to blonde tones, you may experiment with most colours and integrate a combination of multi-tonal shades to add depth and structure to hair for an effortlessly stylish style.
How long does balayage take in a salon?
As balayage requires softly hand-painting the surface of the hair, it depends on how many highlights you are selecting for. A basic few highlights can take 45 minutes, however a layered balayage can take up to three hours.
Book in for a consultation with your colourist to explore the best choice for you, and they may estimate how long the process will take.
Recomended to read: Gorgeous Long Blonde Balayage Hair Ideas
How much does professional balayage cost?
Depending on where you go and the stylist you pick, professional balayage can be pricey. Make sure that you discuss the complete cost with your hairdresser and colourist ahead, and make sure you figure in the cost of your haircut and any extras, such as a blow-dry.
Expect to pay upwards of £175, depending on where your salon is situated and your stylist’s degree of competence.
Does balayage work on gray hair?
Balayage is ideal for gray hair, as it works on all hair hues - but it won’t conceal grey hair. Balayage will only enable the gray to blend in, allowing you to embrace and work with your grey hair. If you’re hoping for complete gray coverage, balayage may not be the ideal solution for you.
Does balayage harm hair?
Balayage isn’t as potentially-damaging as bleaching your hair, or getting your roots done every six weeks, as foils and heat aren’t utilized. However, it’s still a chemical treatment, so it’s essential to take care of your hair after having it dyed.
Our Detox and Repair collection is great for giving dry, troubled hair a deeply-hydrating boost to leave it smooth and ready to style.
Mercado Wolski
We realize that the world of hair dying may feel like a minefield. From highlights to lowlights, splashlights, babylights and ombre, it's tough to know where to begin and what to ask for.
If you’re uncertain about balayage, we can address all your burning concerns about this super-chic hair coloring procedure.
What is balayage?
Balayage (derived from the French term for ‘sweeping’) is a delicate freehand colouring technique. Colour is applied directly onto selected parts of the hair without using foil. The effect is a more natural, sun-kissed tone, without any strong contrast between hues.
Your balayage colour may be tailored unique for you, and it’s a terrific method to remodel your style without making too many big alterations.
What's the difference between balayage and highlights?
Balayage is a softer, more natural appearing outcome than typical foil highlights. Regrowth lines are less obvious, and the lines are more delicate, providing a golden, sun-kissed appearance that recreates a few weeks spent somewhere warm.
What's the difference between balayage and ombre?
Balayage is a blended style — it’s a gentle, delicate manner of adding graded colour, and there should be no hard lines or blocks of colour.
Ombre hair has a more pronounced contrast between the roots and the ends of your hair - and extra color starts midway down your strands. Both ombre (meaning ‘shade’ in French) and sombre (meaning ‘dark’ in French) are two-toned styles that are darker at the roots, fading to lighter tones at the ends. With ombre, you can frequently perceive quite a sharp shift in tone, while somber is more natural and blends more easily - but they’re both still more dramatic than balayage.
What’s the difference between full and partial balayage?
A full balayage implies all of your hair will be lightened using this process. A partial balayage is done to just the top and outer layers of your hair, so the layers below preserve your original color.
What is reverse balayage?
Reverse balayage is when your stylist utilizes dark hues to provide lowlights around your roots and throughout your strands to add depth and complexity to your colour. If your blonde balayage has turned brassy or you desire a change, reverse balayage can tone it down, giving depth back at the root to offset the blonde.
Do I have to grow out current foil colour before having balayage?
No - the beauty of balayage is that it’s low-maintenance, and can be done over existing colour. The process itself is about working with the colour of your hair, since highlights are placed from the mid-lengths downwards. A colourist may also rejuvenate roots with natural balayage colour and cover up any greys.
Do I have to have blonde balayage?
Not at all. If you’ve never colored your hair before, balayage is the excellent alternative for enhancing your hair colour. Although butter blonde, ash or honey balayage are the go-to blonde tones, you may experiment with most colours and integrate a combination of multi-tonal shades to add depth and structure to hair for an effortlessly stylish style.
How long does balayage take in a salon?
As balayage requires softly hand-painting the surface of the hair, it depends on how many highlights you are selecting for. A basic few highlights can take 45 minutes, however a layered balayage can take up to three hours.
Book in for a consultation with your colourist to explore the best choice for you, and they may estimate how long the process will take.
Recomended to read: Gorgeous Long Blonde Balayage Hair Ideas
How much does professional balayage cost?
Depending on where you go and the stylist you pick, professional balayage can be pricey. Make sure that you discuss the complete cost with your hairdresser and colourist ahead, and make sure you figure in the cost of your haircut and any extras, such as a blow-dry.
Expect to pay upwards of £175, depending on where your salon is situated and your stylist’s degree of competence.
Does balayage work on gray hair?
Balayage is ideal for gray hair, as it works on all hair hues - but it won’t conceal grey hair. Balayage will only enable the gray to blend in, allowing you to embrace and work with your grey hair. If you’re hoping for complete gray coverage, balayage may not be the ideal solution for you.
Does balayage harm hair?
Balayage isn’t as potentially-damaging as bleaching your hair, or getting your roots done every six weeks, as foils and heat aren’t utilized. However, it’s still a chemical treatment, so it’s essential to take care of your hair after having it dyed.
Our Detox and Repair collection is great for giving dry, troubled hair a deeply-hydrating boost to leave it smooth and ready to style.