Why is balayage the most searched-for hairdressing technique? What should it look like? Which hair length and colour are best for balayage?
Balayage
“Balayage…” we hear from celebrities, YouTubers and stylists, but what exactly is it? This hair colouring technique is correctly called balayage (pronounced “ba-lay-azh”), a term that comes from the French word balayer – to sweep. How is sweeping related to hair that looks naturally sun-kissed from the beach?
The technique the hairdresser uses to lighten the hair resembles sweeping the hair with a brush full of colour.
Does balayage suit your hair?
Balayage is one of the techniques that create a natural effect and can be individually adapted to every woman’s wishes. Balayage stands out especially on medium-length and long hair, but it also brightens and enlivens shorter cuts such as a bob. With balayage the colour is applied only to the lengths and ends, while the hair near the scalp stays in its natural colour, so you won’t be bothered by unsightly regrowth after a few weeks.
Don’t you think this is one of the reasons why so many celebrities have chosen balayage – they want their hair to look good even though they don’t have time to retouch it every two weeks?
How is balayage done?
Since balayage lightens the hair, the technique should always be performed by a trained hairdresser to avoid irreversible hair damage. A good salon will offer you a non-binding consultation where the hairdresser discusses the technique with you, you choose suitable shades together, and they tell you the approximate price of balayage. Then comes the balayage itself: first the hairdresser lightens the strands, taking them in hand and applying colour with a dense brush from the middle of the length, first against the direction of hair growth and then to the ends.
This creates a natural interplay of colours and light reminiscent of hair bleached by the sun. The hairdresser usually lightens more hair at the top and front, creating natural face contouring. After lightening, the hairdresser tones the hair to the desired shades with colour or toner, which gives natural, soft transitions from dark roots to light ends and between individual strands.
Which colour to choose?
That is really up to you. You can liven up brown hair with natural blond balayage like Sarah Jessica Parker, add cool blond tones to chocolate brown like Kim Kardashian, or go for bold colour combinations tried by singers such as Rihanna and Vanessa Hudgens.
Blondes don’t have to miss out either – blond balayage brightens a golden natural blond mane, like the one actress Blake Lively is proud of, and catches the eye in cool blond tones worn by the extravagant model Hunter Schafer.
Ask your hairdresser for advice at the consultation, show them a few balayage photos you like for inspiration, and then put yourself in their hands with confidence. Soon you will be enjoying hair with a touch of the sun.
What is the price of balayage?
Given the difficulty of the technique and the time it takes, balayage usually costs more than, for example, simple hair colouring. In London you pay the equivalent of 4–6 000 CZK for balayage, in New York the price starts at the equivalent of 5 500 CZK and with some stylists it can climb to ten thousand. At Beautyshape Center balayage starts at approx. 3 000 CZK, always depending on the length of your hair. Our stylists will gladly tell you the exact price at a non-binding consultation – we look forward to meeting you. Book your appointment today.
Have you tried balayage yet? Or are you still just longing for it?
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