Created in the 1970s by French colorists, balayage is the hair dyeing technique that changed everything. No more sitting for hours in foil. No more stripiness. Natural sun-kissed glow for any hair. This natural, low-maintenance technique remains hugely popular and is constantly being updated and reinterpreted. Let’s take a close look at how it works, how to achieve/DIY balayage at home and how to make yours last longer.
What Exactly Is Balayage?
In French, “balayage” means “to sweep”. Highlights are hand-painted or “swept” on the surface of random sections of hair. The dye or lightener is painted on with a brush, starting midshaft and getting denser towards the end of the hair. As there is no cap or guide, the effect is natural sun-kissed glow that is much less strictly patterned than regular highlights.
What Is the Difference Between Highlights and Balayage?
Rather than traditional foil or caps, balayage is a freehand technique. With foils, you get a uniform finish, while balayage offers more natural results. The colorist (or you) can apply the color in specific areas to brighten your features. Apply inches down from the roots, so they seem more lived-in.
![Hair Color Balayage Visuel1](/-/media/project/loreal/brand-sites/oap/apac/my/categories/hair/hair-color/hair-color-balayage-visuel1.jpg?w=260&rev=cc2834ce97634d4280f290d2428ece9a&hash=50745A0D5E38C9CB735F71181A5D11150F550B84 260w,/-/media/project/loreal/brand-sites/oap/apac/my/categories/hair/hair-color/hair-color-balayage-visuel1.jpg?w=320&rev=cc2834ce97634d4280f290d2428ece9a&hash=A1AFAE4FDED21EFBC7CFAC61E422EB156E6DB8B7 320w,/-/media/project/loreal/brand-sites/oap/apac/my/categories/hair/hair-color/hair-color-balayage-visuel1.jpg?w=660&rev=cc2834ce97634d4280f290d2428ece9a&hash=7852C050D512338CCB4EDB21C8E944F5E86307C2 660w,/-/media/project/loreal/brand-sites/oap/apac/my/categories/hair/hair-color/hair-color-balayage-visuel1.jpg?w=700&rev=cc2834ce97634d4280f290d2428ece9a&hash=7436F48E8DF288CE780050260EAB53DE2BE25C94 700w,/-/media/project/loreal/brand-sites/oap/apac/my/categories/hair/hair-color/hair-color-balayage-visuel1.jpg?w=810&rev=cc2834ce97634d4280f290d2428ece9a&hash=3126207DEF187B57E41A7E26A50AC3BA3017C64B 810w,/-/media/project/loreal/brand-sites/oap/apac/my/categories/hair/hair-color/hair-color-balayage-visuel1.jpg?w=910&rev=cc2834ce97634d4280f290d2428ece9a&hash=132C40622AA9844E3969433091FB07AFC3C71D74 910w,/-/media/project/loreal/brand-sites/oap/apac/my/categories/hair/hair-color/hair-color-balayage-visuel1.jpg?w=1170&rev=cc2834ce97634d4280f290d2428ece9a&hash=841A2D74DCC876E94C968FD33C607B7AA1112503 1170w)
Are Balayage and Ombre the Same?
Ombre hair color gradually transitions from a dark color at the roots to a lighter color at the ends with a gradient effect. On the other hand, balayage highlights are placed throughout your hair in specific areas. You get a piecy, dimensional result rather more uniform color.
Can You Create Balayage Highlights at Home?
With a DIY home kit, achieve sun-kissed locks without all the hassle and expense of heading to the salon. For example, our Preference Balayage Kit creates luminous highlights and comes with professionally inspired tools and a new root blending mask for a natural-looking smokey root effect.
Does Balayage Work on Dark Hair?
The darker your starting color and the lighter you want your balayage highlights, the more work it takes to achieve the desired result. Blonde balayage is most common, but you could also opt for a darker shade like caramel or auburn. This will do less damage to your hair and give you a more natural look. If you’re looking for platinum blonde balayage, you’ll probably need to bleach first – even if you already have light hair.
![Hair Color Balayage Visuel2](/-/media/project/loreal/brand-sites/oap/apac/my/categories/hair/hair-color/hair-color-balayage-visuel2.jpg?w=260&rev=434145c389424c2283d6ff6648e55cbc&hash=01A1D2EB85DE0C30C638B6A9664279696DCBC7B1 260w,/-/media/project/loreal/brand-sites/oap/apac/my/categories/hair/hair-color/hair-color-balayage-visuel2.jpg?w=320&rev=434145c389424c2283d6ff6648e55cbc&hash=5BAF18E4D4271F8ADDCBCBFD7593A1AFE66E79A7 320w,/-/media/project/loreal/brand-sites/oap/apac/my/categories/hair/hair-color/hair-color-balayage-visuel2.jpg?w=660&rev=434145c389424c2283d6ff6648e55cbc&hash=5FF66A9DD2918CBFCC9CB57CDA80B2D7C187708A 660w,/-/media/project/loreal/brand-sites/oap/apac/my/categories/hair/hair-color/hair-color-balayage-visuel2.jpg?w=700&rev=434145c389424c2283d6ff6648e55cbc&hash=B06A033A7FC75DD5ACB2C86FC2F2656915D1185D 700w,/-/media/project/loreal/brand-sites/oap/apac/my/categories/hair/hair-color/hair-color-balayage-visuel2.jpg?w=810&rev=434145c389424c2283d6ff6648e55cbc&hash=CFD1569C700E96F9296DD602E025FD12C2E3FD9A 810w,/-/media/project/loreal/brand-sites/oap/apac/my/categories/hair/hair-color/hair-color-balayage-visuel2.jpg?w=910&rev=434145c389424c2283d6ff6648e55cbc&hash=D2F475A421727AB0C32F223E828799D40FC2E0C9 910w,/-/media/project/loreal/brand-sites/oap/apac/my/categories/hair/hair-color/hair-color-balayage-visuel2.jpg?w=1170&rev=434145c389424c2283d6ff6648e55cbc&hash=F865197A676B9A35838489EBF7E4D5803CAB051F 1170w)
How Long Do Balayage Highlights Last?
The great thing about balayage highlights is that they’re low maintenance. They grow out naturally and you won’t get a harsh regrowth line or need very regular touch-ups. Exactly how long your hair color stays fresh depends on how you care for it – as well your hair color and length. Not sure which color to choose? Use semi-permanent color that washes out.
Tips to make yours last longer
- Use a color-safe shampoo and conditioner, like Elseve Color Protect Shampoo , to keep the color fresh and reinforce hair bonds weakened by bleaching and heat styling
- Avoid washing your hair in hot water as this can strip away the essential oils, leaving your hair feeling dry and looking dull, as well as causing premature color fading.
- Invest in at-home hair gloss, that’s easy to use and only takes about 15 minutes to recharge your color and deep condition your hair.
Beyond Classic Balayage
3D or 4D Balayage: this is all about adding multi-tonal dimension, a little like contouring for your hair. Rather than dyeing your hair with a single lighter color, use two or three shades (one is always darker).
Smoky Gold Balayage: this is one of the most luxurious takes on balayage hair. It picks up on ash and espresso tones with a subtle gold lift at the face frame and ends. The result is soft and blended.
Reverse balayage: rather lightening hair, this technique involves adding lowlights and darker strands to reintroduce depth to blond hair.