If you have darker hair and ever wondered if balayage would work on your hair or thought about taking the plunge, then this is the post for you.
Balayage has been a big part of the hair colour game for almost a decade now (if not longer), and the sun kissed look is only going to get better and better as fashions change.
We’ve rounded up some of our favourite looks of dark hair balayage info here for you - so be sure to read along and pick out your next hair inspo.
(images courtesy of Pinterest)
As hair colouring has evolved, there are now so many different approaches and combination of techniques used by hairdressers to create balayage with many variations of lightness, dimension and tones on many different types of hair. It can be easy to get confused about what a balayage is.
To me, the word balayage has now evolved into an umbrella term that describes colouring hair using a freehand painting technique; and/or combination of highlight and freehand techniques to create intermittent highlights woven throughout your hair.
The result is a natural looking, sun kissed and dimensional hair colour.
(images courtesy of Pinterest)
Balayage is a versatile range of hair coloring techniques. As a result, it is highly customizable and suitable for a lot of different hair textures, lengths and skin tones.
Because of its low maintenance nature, soft/ natural looking colours and its ability to enhance your natural hair colour, it can be a great way to introduce your hair into the realm of colour without a drastic change. A subtle balayage look can add dimension to your hair and gives us the option to build up lightness in your hair gradually, not to mention it’s easier on your hair!
Natural dark hair enhanced with soft caramel highlights and lots of dimension
(images courtesy of Pinterest)
Shimmery sun kissed balayage with honey cinnamon tones
(images courtesy of Pinterest)
Soft balayage with enhanced lightness on the ends
(images courtesy of Pinterest)
The freehand techniques for balayage allow us to control how much lightness is incorporated into the finished colour. As your hairdresser, this allows us to ‘tweak’ the balayage by colouring your hair strategically to either gain maximum lightness or colour minimally to create dimension and contrast in your hair, or somewhere in between.
Medium length shag with dimensional blonde balayage
(images courtesy of Pinterest)
Caramel balayage with enhanced lightness and contrast
(images courtesy of Pinterest)
Bronde balayage with enhanced lightness
(images courtesy of Pinterest)
As we build up the colour in your hair, the ends of your hair will gradually get lighter and can sometimes become over saturated or lose contrast. As you grow into your new hair colour over time, you’ll start to see what you like and don’t like. From here we can really customize what we’ve already got going on in your hair and make that balayage truly yours.
(images courtesy of Pinterest)
Balayage as a technique gives a very soft and natural grow out and as a result, it can be very low maintenance depending on the style or look that you’re going for. That can be anywhere between 2 to 9 months before your next salon visit (optimally around 3-6 months).
Your personal style and preference, as well as the existing colour from previous sessions will play a part in deciding how we’ll color your hair on the follow up visit.
From there, we can choose to add contrast, enhance lightness, create more dimension in your hair, or some combination of the three.
Maybe you liked the contrast popping throughout the lengths, or maybe you liked the lightness or the mixture of tones. Whatever the case, letting us know how you’re enjoying your hair on the follow up visit will help us best to customize and create your next favorite colour.
Black hair with blonde balayage
(images courtesy of Pinterest)
Balayage with gradient lightness
(images courtesy of Pinterest)
Ribbony blonde balayage with dimensional lightness
(images courtesy of Pinterest)
Author: Oscar Lam, Stylist @ Chumba's Windsor Salon
