What is Balayage? The Hair Color Technique That's Taking Over
Balayage (meaning "to sweep" or "to paint" in French) is a freehand highlighting technique. Color is applied to the surface of the hair, creating soft, blended highlights that look totally natural, like sun-kissed hair. Unlike traditional foils, balayage offers a customized, seamless blend of colors, perfect for any hair type – short, long, fine, thick, straight, wavy, curly, or coily.
Balayage, Highlights, Ombré: What's the Difference?
They all lighten hair, but here's the breakdown:
• Balayage: Creates soft, blended, natural-looking highlights with a seamless grow-out. Think sun-kissed, beachy hair.
• Highlights: Uses foils to create more uniform, structured highlights. The grow-out is more noticeable.
• Ombré: A gradient effect, transitioning from darker roots to lighter ends. Balayage can create an ombré, but they aren't the same thing.
Partial vs. Full Balayage: How Much Coverage Do We Want?
• Partial: Targets specific sections for a subtle refresh or added dimension.
• Full: Lightens a larger portion of hair for a brighter, more overall look.
The Balayage Experience: What Happens at the Salon?
• inspiration photos, and discuss maintenance.
• Application: The stylist hand-paints the lightener or color onto your hair.
• Processing: Time to relax while the color lifts.
• Toning: Neutralizes brassiness or adds custom tones (ash blonde, golden blonde, rose gold, etc.).
• Shampoo & Conditioning: Your hair is washed and conditioned with color-safe products.
• Styling: Your stylist styles your hair to showcase your new balayage.
Keeping Your Balayage Fresh: Hair Care Tips
• Color-Safe Products: Use sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners for color-treated hair, like Acidic Color Gloss and Redken Color Extend Magnetics.
• Deep Conditioning: Treat your hair to a weekly deep conditioner, like Redken's Acidic Bonding Concentrate range.
• Minimize Heat Styling: Protect your color (and your hair!) by limiting heat styling and using heat protectants.
• Hair Gloss: Refresh your color and add shine with a gloss treatment, like Redken's Acidic Color Gloss Shine Trio.
• Salon Touch-Ups: Schedule regular appointments to maintain your balayage and address root growth.
Find Your Hair Care Match
Is Balayage Right for You?
Balayage is incredibly versatile, working on all hair types, textures, and colors. Whether you're after subtle highlights or a dramatic change, balayage can deliver. Consult with a Redken stylist to find your perfect match! Find a Redken salon near you and explore Redken's best-selling products to protect and care for your balayage at home.