What Is Balayage?

Balayage is a French word meaning ‘to sweep’ or ‘to paint’. It allows for a sun-kissed natural-looking hair color, similar to what nature gives us when we are younger.

What’s The Difference Between Balayage And Ombré?

Balayage is a French word that means to sweep or paint; it’s a highlighting technique. Ombré means to shadow, and it’s a seamless gradation from darker to lighter. People do get confused by the two but you can also combine them in a merged technique which can be very pretty.


Sombré is a much softer version of ombré and is still popular, especially with the charcoal grey trend.


What’s The Difference Between Balayage And Highlights?


Balayage has softer, less noticeable regrowth lines than traditional highlights – the principal idea being less is more when creating soft, natural looks. There’s no stripy look like you can get with foil highlights, Balayage emulates the parts of your hair that would naturally lighten in the sun.


Also, Balayage is a freehand technique as no foil or meche are used to create the highlights.


Why Balayage Can be Better?


These techniques work with the individual’s haircut and natural hair growth patterns as well as the variance of tones in the hair, for a totally bespoke finish. Because it’s hand-painted, your colorist can choose the placements to best complement your haircut, skin, and features so it looks really natural rather than actually colored. It’s also super speedy, meaning you don’t have to sit so long in the chair, and it grows out beautifully meaning less maintenance, so fewer frequent appointments.

Does Balayage Work On Natural Textured Hair?

Balayage works on all textures, and in some ways, curly hair is easier because you can pick out each curl you want to apply color to. The pre-lightener (bleach) or color choice is dependent on the finished look you want to achieve, not the texture.

Are There Any Hair Colors That Don’t Work With Balayage?

Balayage is a highlighting technique and can be used on any hair color.

Can You Get Balayage If You Have Short Hair?

Even with short hair, it’s just the same principles, application is dictated by the haircut and should always flow naturally.