What is balayage hair?

Chrissy Teigen works the balayage look to a tee.

Chrissy Teigen works the balayage look to a tee.

Balayage has been around for a while, but this timeless technique is creeping its way back into being one of the most popular requests in salons.

What is it? 

Balayage is French, meaning sweep or to paint. It’s a freehand hair colouring technique that gives a really blended natural look with no harsh or obvious regrowth lines.

It allows for a sun-kissed natural looking hair colour, with softer, less noticeable re-growth. The main idea being ‘less is more’ when creating a natural, multi-tonal finish.

It’s a great method if you want to refresh your colour but don’t want to go for a bold colour overhaul.

How is balayage applied? 

Balayage is painted on the surface of the hair strand and not saturated through the section until the very tips. This ensures a smooth, blended stroke of colour. Unlike highlights, no foil or meche are used to create the highlights.

How long does it take?

The depth of balayage can vary so much from a matter of minutes to a full on, triple process look that can take up to 3 hours But it lasts well which means you can leave longer between appointments. Read more about it here.