When it comes to getting your hair colored, there are a lot of options to choose from. When you have finally decided on a style you like, it is also wise for you to research which method you want your stylist to use when it comes to bringing your hair to the color you desire.

It is always best to bring visual examples of what you want your hair to look like, even if you do not know the name of the color or style. Chances are, your stylist will know it!

A lot of people really enjoy the carefree look of balayage hair. This hairstyle is akin to highlights, babylights, and lowlights. Balayage hair still looks great when it grows out, and every style done for each person is truly unique and individualized.

What is Balayage?

Balayage (pronounced BAH-LEE-AHGE) is a technique used to give highlights to the hair. It is a French-based word that comes from a word called “Balayer”, which means “to sweep”. Balayage refers to the method of the sweeping motion one makes when hand-painting or brushing a highlight hair-lightening product onto the hair.

With this method, highlights can be added to the hair in a freehand manner by brushing on the product by hand. The colorist can choose whether or not to separate the hair and how they want to do it. They can use foils or clips, but this is only to separate the highlights and prevent bleeding or spotting onto other pieces of hair that are not meant to be highlighted.

Generally, highlights are applied from root to tip and are usually wrapped in foil while they are being processed. Balayage is different from other methods of highlighting since less care is needed for the placement of the lightener. The painted areas are also not wrapped in foil to process. Because there are no fine lines and defined edges, balayage hair appears as a natural gradation from dark roots to lighter ends.

Balayage is a Way to Apply Hair Lightener or Color; Not Necessarily a Style

Balayage is a technique to apply hair lightening products or colors and can be used to create different end results. Some of these results may form contrasts that create portions of dark and light hair called ombrés and sombrés. While balayage might be done for parts of an ombré, an ombré is not specifically categorized as a balayage hairstyle.

Balayage Versus the Ombré and Sombré

There are two types of distinct multi-colored hair called ombré and sombré. Balayage is often compared to these two styles, although it is not necessarily the same because it is a way to apply hair lightener rather than and end result.

Ombré

An ombré has the last half section of hair lightened, often with the tips fully saturated in lightener. Balayage focuses on smaller, more subtle lines and piece placement, focusing on individual strands rather than sections.

Balayage looks more natural like what is caused by spending summers in the sun. This is a stark contrast from other highlighting methods that might be more pronounced and defined. Because there are no fine lines and defined edges, balayage hair appears as a natural gradation from dark roots to lighter ends.

Sombré

A sombré is a softer and more natural look with a gradient rather than a cutoff point. Balayage is a good technique to employ to get a natural-looking sombré. The sombré does not have a definite contrast division line but rather flows in a natural gradient from dark to light.

Ombrés are typically available in any color and lift level while sombrés only provide one or two levels of lightening. Often these types of hairstyles are still incredibly noticeable when grown out.

Highlights, Babylights and Lowlights

Highlights and babylights can both be the outcome of balayage handiwork. Highlights that are separated and planned out for face-framing and hand-painting are called balayage. Babylights can be applied with balayage but are noted for their tiny presence within the root hair color. Babylights are wispier than highlights and neither of these types of hair-lightening styles are chunky or ultra defined.

Another trendy end result of using the balayage method is creating lowlights or darker pieces of hair. These compliment from an undertone rather than a bright one. Lowlights also define certain areas that can frame the face or blend in with the full body of hair to create the illusion of thicker hair. Lowlights are great for anyone who already has a lighter hair tone and wants to try something different without fully committing.

Subtly Sun-Kissed

Balayage offers a natural “sun-kissed” look that is more subtle when it starts to grow out. Rather than a full color or chunky ombrés, balayage will naturally define your face until it grows past your shoulders and then it looks like naturally lightened ends from being out in the sun. This look requires less maintenance than other highlights or coloration and rarely presents stark contrasts or chunky lines.

Genuinely Unique

There are no two styles that are exactly the same. Because of this, balayage hair is unique. Due to the fact that everyone’s hair has a different color, length, and texture, the final result will always be unique and individual. An authentic balayage must be performed by someone who has been educated in how to perform such a treatment.

Balayage is one of the most popular hair coloring methods because it is very easy to use and it gives you a great deal of flexibility to change up your look. When the education and certification for balayage became more accessible, the popularity of the technique exploded.

In regards to highlights, there are many ways to present them, but with balayage they can be conjured up as natural-looking, sun-kissed hair that is modestly flashy. By hand-painting pieces of hair with the right colors, the hairdresser is able to frame the face and other areas, so that the hair appears to be multidimensional. Choosing each individual strand of hair adds a personal touch to balayage hairstyles, and no two will be identical in the end.

Balayage  Experts

If it all sounds confusing, don’t worry. At Twisted Scissors Hair Design we are experts in Balayage. Contact Celine if you are interested in Balayage Hair and she will make it super simple to understand. You will be delighted with the results.