What is Balayage: Everything You Need To Know

Balayage is one of our most requested coloring techniques. Confused about what a balayage is? Here’s our ultimate guide to understanding Balayage!

WHAT IS A BALAYAGE?

Balayage is a French term that means “to sweep.” So when your stylist does a balayage service they are using a sweeping motion to apply color or lightener to your hair to achieve a soft and graduated coloring effect.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A BALAYAGE AND AN OMBRE?

Balayage is a technique of applying color or lightener to the hair. An ombre is the look of having darker roots and transitioning to lighter ends. You can use the technique of balayage to achieve the look of an ombre.

HOW IS BALAYAGE DIFFERENT FROM HIGHLIGHTS?

Typically when someone asks for highlights, they are asking for their stylist to weave pieces of their hair, apply lightener from scalp to end on those pieces and insulate using foils. This highlight service achieves a blended and more of an overall lighter look. Usually, when someone asks for a balayage they are wanting a soft and graduated look of lighter ribbons through the hair for more of a “lived-in” look.

IS BALAYAGE BAD FOR YOUR HAIR?

If formulated properly, the products used in a balayage service should not damage your hair. It is imperative to disclose your hair’s full chemical history so that your stylist can formulate it correctly. We never ask questions to pass judgment on what you have, or haven’t done, with your hair in the past. We only want to know so that we can formulate properly so that the products don’t cause damage and work effectively. If your hair is fragile we may determine that several gentle lightening sessions are required to achieve your desired results. Or we may suggest using a bond preserver (like Olaplex) for a small additional cost. Proper home care is also a critical piece in making sure that your hair stays healthy after a balayage or any chemical service. One of our most popular home care items after a balayage is Fusionplex shampoo and conditioner for regular cleansing. We also recommend using Fusionplex deep conditioning hair mask once a week.

WILL BALAYAGE COVER GRAY HAIRS?

No, a balayage will not cover gray. But a balayage may help to blend gray hairs. Everyone’s gray pattern is different, and one blanket answer doesn’t apply to everyone. If you don’t want to see any gray at all, we suggest covering gray with a permanent color. Then you can still do a balayage to give beautiful ribbons of highlights through your ends. If you are 25% gray or more and just want to blend grays and have a soft grow-out, we suggest using a demi-permanent color on your grays and balayage at the ends.

DOES BALAYAGE LOOK GOOD ON STRAIGHT HAIR?

Yes! A beautiful and seamless balayage should still look amazing when you straighten your hair. Streaks or harsh lines happen during the application, and usually are indications that the lightener was applied too heavy and not blended. While a balayage should still look beautiful on straight hair, curling your hair will always expose more dimension in your hair and really show off the natural highs and lows in your hair color that a balayage is meant to achieve.

CAN I GET A BLONDE BALAYAGE ON DARK HAIR?

Yes. However, you can pretty much count on having to do multiple lightening sessions (each session is charged separately). Depending on how dark your hair is, and how light you want to be, there is a lot of pigment to remove. Lightener will only work safely for approximately 60 minutes on your hair. After that time period, the lightener stops working on the pigment of your hair and starts to break down the fiber of your hair. At that point, the lightener has to be rinsed out and your hair usually needs a break and a couple of weeks of deep conditioning at home to prep for the next session of lightening. It is also extremely common that naturally, dark hair cannot physically lift past a dark blonde without becoming compromised. Healthy hair is always prettier than damaged hair, no matter what color it is!

HOW DO YOU KEEP A BALAYAGE FROM FADING?

Once you have lightened your hair, it won’t ever fade back to your natural or previous color. However, the toner or glaze used to customize the tone of blonde/lighter pieces can fade. You will notice that your hair doesn’t look quite the same after about 6 weeks. We recommend using hydrating and color-safe shampoos and conditioners (like Fusionplex) for regular washing. Also, use a purple shampoo once a week (or every two times you wash your hair) to help counteract any yellow or brassy tones in your blondes. After 6 weeks of having your hair done, you will need to come back to the salon for a tone refresh or glaze. Then after another 6 weeks (12 weeks after the first appointment) you can have a balayage touch up, and have your lighter pieces brought back up closer to your scalp.

CAN BALAYAGE BE DONE IN ONE SITTING?

Yes, a balayage can be done in one sitting. But depending on how dark your hair is, and how light you want to be, it may take several sessions (each session is charged separately). You will always leave with beautiful hair! It just may not be as light and bright as you want it to be in the first session. The health of your hair is most important because healthy hair is beautiful hair!

HOW MUCH DOES BALAYAGE COST?

Here at Kellie & Company, our stylists do charge different pricing levels that reflect a stylist’s education and demand on their time. Additional product and time fees may also apply. You can expect to pay between $116-$150 for a balayage on medium-length hair with a medium thickness. Haircuts and other services are charged separately.

HOW LONG DOES A BALAYAGE LAST?

Probably the most appealing aspect of a balayage is that it allows for a longer time period in between touch-ups, and will still look beautiful! We recommend coming back every 6 weeks for some kind of maintenance to keep your hair looking shiny and healthy. After the first 6 weeks of getting your balayage done, we can do a tone refresh or glaze with a deep condition. And then after 12 weeks of having your hair done originally come back to have a few pieces around your face and through the top re-lightened. After another 6 weeks come back for another glaze and deep condition. And then after a total of 24 weeks have your whole head re-lightened. So you are really looking at having two bigger appointments a year (approximately 3 hours) with a couple of quick and easy maintenance appointments in between (approximately 1.5 hours).

IS BALAYAGE EASY TO MAINTAIN?

Yes! A balayage is meant to give you beautiful ribbons of highlights for a soft lived-in look. You will never have a harsh regrowth line!

IS BALAYAGE STILL IN STYLE IN 2021?

Absolutely! At Kellie & Company, we specialize in natural, classic, timeless beauty! Balayage and natural highlights will never be a fad or out of style!

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