Balayage is one of the hottest trends offered at hair coloring salons. It provides a soft, natural look that flatters all different face shapes, and it still looks fantastic even after a person's hair grows out. If you're considering this style, here's what you should know.

What Is Balayage?

The term "balayage" is derived from the French word for "sweeping." As the name implies, it adds gentle, natural waves of color to a person's hair. Balayage looks similar to ombré in that it involves a darker color at the roots fading to a lighter color at the bottom of the hair. However, there's a distinct difference between the two styles. Unlike ombré, which usually shows a stark contrast between the two hair colors, balayage blends hues more seamlessly.

What Color Balayage Should I Get?

While balayage traditionally involves blond dye being added to brown hair, there are plenty of other color options. The only requirement for balayage is that the color at the bottom of the hair is lighter than the color at the top. Color combinations like black and brown, dirty blond and platinum, and even brown and pink are all viable choices.

How Is Balayage Applied?

Unlike traditional highlights, hair stylists don't need to use any foil to apply a balayage. Instead, they paint the lighter color into the hair with freehand strokes. Getting a balayage applied can take anywhere from 45 minutes to four hours, depending on how much of your hair you want to be dyed and how fast-acting the hair lightener your stylist uses is.

How Do I Care for My Balayage?

One of the many appeals of balayage is that it's easy to maintain compared to other types of highlights. Because balayage blends hair colors so seamlessly, it still looks attractive even after a person's roots start to grow out, so there's no need for frequent trips back to the salon. According to Byrdie, balayage maintenance usually only requires a person to go to the salon every three to four months. The best way to make your balayage last as long as possible is to use shampoo and conditioner designed for color-treated hair.

To freshen up your look with a balayage, schedule an appointment at Sonshine Hair Studios. Our hair coloring experts can help you look and feel your best with a total hair makeover. Contact us today to get started!