First of all the word balayage is derived from a French word *sweep/paint*. A stylist literally paints on your hair. This makes balayage a very versatile hair coloring technique. Keep this in mind when coming for a balayage appointment. It is best to bring some pictures with you so a stylist knows what balayage pattern appeals to you.

Please do not confuse balayage with simply grown out roots. Although some clients may like this grown out roots type of balayage and some ask for this type of look.

Many clients ask about the difference of balayage and ombré. Balayage IS ombré.

Ombre is a hair coloring technique where color is applied towards the ends of the hair most of the times not touching the roots at all. The statement feature of balayage is face framing highlights which we don’t see in the old fashioned traditional ombré.

BENEFITS:

* Versatile
* Low maintenance. Unless you go for ultra fashion hair colors balayage (see photos below). In this case you would have to enhance the color pretty often, about every 4 weeks.
* low to none risk of scalp irritation (for those with very sensitive scalp).
* sun kissed natural looking highlights
* perfect with curls and straight hair.

Here are the photos of all types of Balayage

1) Classic balayage. The so called sun kissed effect, a couple of shades lighter than your natural hair color

2) Heavy classic balayage. The most popular. Again here we see a distinct face framing area and lighter shades along the “kissing sun” route

3) Feather balayage. It is pretty much the single process all over hair color. However the dye at the roots is applied using a feathering technique to eliminate a prominent grown out line.

4) Ombre balayage. As you read in other blog posts, balayage IS ombre. Ombre is a style (color on the ends). Balayage is a technique of creating ombre. Therefore we called this particular version “ombre balayage”: heavy lighter color towards the ends.

5) California balayage.

6) Halo balayage. Only face framing highlights are created the back and ends stay dark.

7) Fashion balayage. So called fashion hair colors (red, coral, pink etc.) are used to create a look. As you can already tell any type of balayage can be a fashion balayage.

PS: There is NO best/correct/true balayage really. You are free to create your own look/image/style!