As a brunette with very dark eyebrows, over the years, I’ve felt a little limited in what I can actually do colour-wise with my long locks. I used to find that when I embraced my natural colour, I felt as though the cool dark-brown shade washed me out, yet going blonde was never an option, as I was so conscious of my jet-black brows. But that was a long time ago. In fact, it has been eight years since I last had to worry too much about my hair colour.
That is because in a bid to try and find the right balance between dark and light, eight years ago, I stepped foot into my local suburban salon with an inspiration picture that showcased a hair trend that made the stylist scrunch up his face. "Leave that picture with me and come back in an hour. I need to think about this one,” he said. I returned a little while later, sat down in the chair and watched on as one of the juniors rolled out a trolley full of different dyes. The stylist came over and explained to me that after a lot of research, he was convinced he could do something that was going to get me closer to my desired colour, but I was going to have to trust him because he was going freehand. Young and prepared for any hair disaster about to come my way, I accepted.
The result was everything I’d hoped for. Subtle hints of blonde shone through the lengths, blending seamlessly into my natural colour at the roots. A couple of years later, and it seemed this new hair colour trend had a name: balayage. While for decades, hair-colouring techniques in the UK had been based solely around a strict menu of block colour, full-head highlights, half-head highlights or T-section highlights, leading UK hairstylists were starting to adopt more tailored, international techniques, and balayage was the first big movement.
Since that moment, I’ve more or less stuck to my balayage roots (pun totally intended) and only really switched up my colour to experiment with other forms of balayage. And in all honesty, I’m not sure I’ll ever look back. When it comes to going to the hairdresser, I’m the worst and often it will be six months between visits. Luckily, balayage makes this all possible. I don’t have to worry about roots, and an impressive selection of purple conditioners (I’m obsessed with Redken Blondage Express Anti-Brass Mask) to keep the blonde cool and fresh along with nourishing treatments to keep bleach damage under control (Aveda Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair is my weapon of choice) makes balayage just about the most low-maintenance hair trend going.
Above all, balayage comes in a whole heap of different forms, each one as chic as the next. From thick highlights on already-blonde tresses to superfine caramel flecks through deep brunette lengths, there’s not a single variant I’m not on board with. Sound like something you might want to consider? Read on for everything you need to know, including all of the best inspiration out there.
What Is Balayage?
Without getting too technical, balayage is actually a term that refers to the way in which a stylist applies colour. Rachel Todisco, lead colourist and balayage specialist at Aveda UK, reveals, "Balayage is a freehand technique that creates soft dimension, mimicking how the hair would naturally lighten in sun. The dye is applied to the mid-lengths and ends as opposed to directly to the roots like a full-head colour or foil highlights might.”
The most wonderful thing about it, however, is that how each and every stylist chooses to carry out the technique is totally up to them. "If you took to Instagram and typed in ‘balayage,’ you’d see so many artistic interpretations. Originally, it was a French technique that comes from the word ‘to sweep’ colour onto the hair,” says Todisco.
What Are the Benefits of Balayage Over Traditional Highlights?
For lazy girls like me, the best thing is that you really don’t have to worry about regrowth. Although in some situations, the colour might be taken up close to the root, the idea is that any regrowth will blend in seamlessly.
"Choosing balayage really works with the hair. It creates a totally customisable, personalised colour finish compared to any other technique, and it looks natural,” explains Todisco. "The ability to dial up or down the colour has made it a popular choice for the ‘colour shy.’ You can be as subtle (or bold) as you like with the ability to curate a completely tailored finish that is low-commitment.”
Who Does Balayage Suit?
If you’re waiting for the negatives, you’re going to be waiting for quite some time. Balayage more or less works for every hair type, every skin tone and every length. "That’s the magic of it,” says Todisco. "However, you will likely find that the longer your hair is, the more you’ll get out of the low-maintenance element compared to shorter, pixie styles.”
However, just because balayage suits everyone doesn’t mean it’s a one-size-fits-all situation. Because it requires a level of tailoring and personalisation, it’s important to know exactly the sort of style you want before you sit down in the salon chair.
Not sure where to start? Keep scrolling for all of the balayage inspiration you might need.
Balayage Hair Inspiration—Looks You Need to See
1. Mermaid Waves
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's ribbons of balayage create a face-framing halo.
2. Face-Framing Balayage
A couple of subtle balayage pieces is enough to give lift to a darker hair colour base.
3. Caramel Notes
How beautiful are these caramel tones in J.Lo's bob?
4. Root Fade
Balayage is a great technique to achieve graduated colour from root to ends.
5. Perfect Pony
Balayage helps to achieve a sun-kissed effect, which is really showcased when tied back into a ponytail.
6. Oh Honey
Queen B shows how good honey-toned balayage can look with darker roots.
7. Balayage Curls
Balayage looks amazing on every texture and hair type. I'm obsessed with Celeste's honey lengths.
8. Chic Up-Do
Tia's caramel balayage blends seamlessly with her brunette up-do.
9. Silver Lining
Ada's silver-tipped braided balayage is just about the coolest interpretation of the hair look we've seen.
10. Blonde Ambition
Anne brightens up her mousy brown locks with chunky blonde balayage.
11. Caramel Lengths
Lauren-Nicole's caramel balayage is nothing short of delicious.
12. Low-maintenance Yet Luxe
This style perfectly demonstrates how regrowth can become a worry of the past.
13. Bombshell Balayage
Blonde balayage and a bouncy blow dry? Lily's provides the ultimate party hair inspiration.
14. Soft and Subtle
On first look, it might be difficult to spot Suki's balayage, but when you look closely, you can spot the different colours running through the lengths. Subtlety is key for the laid-back style.
15. Duo Tones
The side parting, the waves, the gloss—this is glamour in hair form.
16. Lighten Up
Ask your stylist to focus your balayage to the front sections of your face to brighten your complexion, just like Rachelle. So glowy.
17. Effortless Blending
Saoirse's dark roots blend seamlessly into her blonde lengths.
18. Balayage Braids
Ambrosia Malbrough
Ambrosia's braids look even more beautiful with the addition of her balayage lengths.
19. Balayage Bob
Those with bobs can rock balayage too, as demonstrated perfectly here with Annabel's wavy blunt cut.
20. Brunette Tones
Jasmine's face-framing balayage streaks look amazing styled into beachy curls.
21. Feeling Peachy
Lotte's borderline-peach tones bestow her balayage locks with a glowy finish.
22. Flicked and Fabulous
Flicked ends will show off balayage in the most beautiful way.
23. 90's Inspired
Take your balayage close to the root to create a cool '90s aesthetic.
24. Copper Magic
The blended blonde and copper tones are so beautiful.
25. Warm Balayage
This subtle blend of redish ends and darker roots is sublime.
26. The Dark Side
Create a subtle balayage look by choosing a colour that's close to your natural shade. Jill's soft, reddish ends look beautiful with her almost-black roots.
27. VB Approved
Even VB can't get enough of the balayage trend with caramel locks.
28. Balayage and Bows
Balayage might be at its most effective on loose tresses, but we think it looks chic swept up in a bun, too.
29. Balayage Bubble Braid
We couldn't love this bubble pony/balayage combination more.
30. Caramel Curls
Renia's subtle balayage makes her impressive corkscrew curls look even more impactful.
31. Supermodel Style
Gisele's voluminous locks are my hair-goal inspiration every day of the year.
32. Transitional Tones
Amaka's lighter ends will help transition her beauty look from winter to spring with ease.
33. Relaxed Styling
Yes, balayage looks just as chic when channelled in a short, choppy hairstyle.
34. Blonde Blowout
Brie's curly 'do really shows off her honey-coloured balayage.
35. Low Contrast
It may be subtle, but Aimee's golden balayage ends show that this look needn't be a thing of contrasts.
36. Lighten Up
Sydney's balayage lengths make me want to go lighter.
37. Wavy Lengths
Emili's chunky blonde balayage looks so great in her thick waves.
38. Channel Queen Bey
Beyoncé shows off face-framing balayage at its finest.
39. Balayage + Fringe
If you're worried about how balayage might look with a full fringe, you can just stick to lengths and avoid your fringe completely. It's all low-maintenance.
40. Plaited Strands
Sofia Richie Grainge's balayage braid is a moment.
41. High Contrast Balayage
Keep things low-key like Ciara and only opt for bleach at the very ends.
42. Balayage + Claw Clip
We love the contrast between Gergana's dark roots and blonde lengths. Don't even get us started on the Chanel clip.
43. Auburn Ends
Nnenna Echem
Balayage lengths needn't be blonde—here, Nnenna shows just how beautiful warm auburn tones can be.
44. Seamless Transition
Of course, Margot's blonde lengths-to-dark roots balayage is nothing short of seamless.
45. Pink Power
Who says balayage hair can't be bright?
46. Brunette Balayage
Having previously been platinum blonde, Rachel's dark-to-gold balayage is a stark contrast—but one we love.
47. Add Dimension
Jennifer Lopez
Daisy Edgar-Jones' balayage is incredibly subtle, adding just a touch of dimension to her brunette lengths.
48. Retro Shades
Marie ups the retro feel of her balayage hair with a sweeping fringe and blown-out ends.
The Best Products For Balayage
A shower filter is the game-changer your balayaged hair need to ensure it doesn't go brassy. Hard water can make hair colour distort prematurely, but this filters out the metals and minerals to keep your hair colour look a fresh as the day you left the salon.
This shampoo helps to neutralise the effects of hard water to keep your hair colour from looking brassy.
Bleached hair can be prone to damage, but this mask miraculously repairs broken bonds to leave hair feeling and looking healthier. It really works.
Protecting your hair from the sun will ensure your hair colour stays looking fresh. Pack Aveda's spray if you're heading somewhere sunny to protect your hair colour.
This ultra-moisturising mask packs hair with hydrating ingredients in order to strengthen and renew hair.
Not only is this oil incredibly nourishing, but it also helps to add a fresh shine to ends that are looking or feeling dry.
Available in a full range of shades, this colour and shine-boosting mask helps to brighten your lighter strands.
Reviewers agree that this affordable shampoo is one of the best ways to brighten and cool the tone of hair that's been coloured blonde.
This post was originally published at an earlier time and has since been updated.
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