Posted: Monday, April 25th, 2016
Balayage is currently one of the most popular hair color requests in salons but what exactly is it and where did it originate?
The word “balayage” is a French word meaning to sweep or paint and was a French coloring technique that was developed in the 1970s. The result of the balayage process is very natural looking, gorgeous sun-kissed highlights (think of a child’s naturally-highlighted locks).
Balayage is applied to the surface of the hair by a non-uniform, freehand technique. This means that the highlights are applied to the head by hand rather than by the traditional use of a head cap or foils. Plus, when using the balayage technique, the highlights are unique to that woman because the color is placed in areas that best light up her personal facial features and skin tone.
One major bonus to balayage is that it grows out very naturally and doesn’t require a lot of maintenance so women can wear it for longer in between hair appointments. It also works on women of all hair colors – both light and dark – and hair length.
Ultimately, what women should know about balayage is that it offers a timeless look and it’s worth considering as a low-maintenance option to brighten up their hair. The color options are limitless so have an open discussion with your colorist to determine what tones would be best to use.
