Balayage is a subtle freehand colouring technique, often used to lighten sections of the hair. Behind every beautiful balayage is a skilled colourist who has taken the time to strategically hand paint their colour! Colour is painted directly onto sections of the hair without using foil, to achieve a more natural effect without any harsh contrast in colours. The possibilities are endless with balayage, which can be used to create almost any effect. So, what are you waiting for? Start your journey to beautifully balayage hair today with the help of RUSH’s specialised expertise in haircare.
Blonde Balayage Ideas
The versatility of blonde balayage is endless – with the main effect being to add a natural sun-kissed effect to the hair. The effects of blonde balayage can be as subtle or drastic as you desire, but one thing that is guaranteed – it will completely transform your look!
Platinum Balayage
As we begin to move into the colder months, we’ll start to see cool tones popping up everywhere. Platinum balayage works beautifully with both a lighter and darker base. It’s a gorgeous look for all seasons, lightening the hair’s appearance and we love it here with the darker base!
Icy Balayage
Icy, almost pearly tones have been popping up all over social media, and we can completely understand why. If you’re after the same colour of platinum balayage, but a little less vibrant, then icy balayage could be what you’re after. Like platinum balayage, the colour is still cool toned but less vibrant with more ashy tones mixed throughout. Icy balayage is a great way to add texture, depth and dimension to a darker base, but this shade also looks great on those with lighter hair!
Honey Balayage
Honey balayage looks gorgeous on both a lighter and darker base – adding colour to where the sun would naturally hit the hair for the ultimate sun-kissed effect. Honey balayage is a rich, syrupy tone which is blended through the hair to add warmth to the base. What sets honey balayage aside from other shades is the beautiful yellowy tones. This is the perfect balayage shade for both the warmer and colder months to make you feel like you’re living in an endless summer!
Caramel Balayage
Caramel balayage is a mix of warm and deep caramel shades, which are strategically placed throughout the hair to add softness and warmth to the overall look. Caramel balayage is known for its red and brown tones which blend seamlessly throughout the warn to recreate the colour of caramel. Caramel balayage works best on a lighter base to give that beach-ready effect!
Brunette Balayage Ideas
If you’re looking to spice up your brunette hair, balayage could be the answer. Brunette balayage is a great way to add depth, dimension to your hair – all whilst lightening the hair’s appearance and it can work beautifully for both a lighter and darker base. Here are our favourite shades of brunette balayage to give your hair an extra oomph!
Rich Chocolate Balayage
This is a subtle balayage shade which lightens a darker base by infusing rich, warmer tones into your hair. Rich chocolate balayage adds depth to your strands, and if you have thin or fine hair, then this could give the illusion of thicker, fuller hair.
Chestnut Balayage
Chestnut balayage incorporates red and caramel tones into the hair, adding warmth to a darker base. Its reddish undertones mimic how sunlight would naturally hit the hair, adding warmth to the overall look. It’s a staple for those with brunette locks who are subtly wanting to lighten the hair. Chestnut is a timeless shade which can work beautifully for all lengths, textures and styles.
Espresso Balayage
If you’re after a modern twist for your classic brunette shade, then we’d recommend trying espresso balayage. Espresso is a cool, deep, dark tone with hints of subtle warmth blended seamlessly throughout to mimic the colour of a hot espresso. Espresso adds depth and dimension to your strands, making it a great option if you’re wanting to warm up your hair in the winter months.
Red Balayage Ideas
Red balayage has been cropping up all over our timelines, giving us some serious hair envy! Red balayage works best on a red base but be warned this shade is not for the light-hearted! If you’re wanting to spice up your look, this could be the answer!
Crimson Balayage
Crimson Balayage is one of the most out-there shades of red balayage! Crimson balayage is a darker shade of red, which works best on a red or black base. It’s a mix of rich deep red tones and darker purple tones which add dimension to the look. This hue works beautifully with a pop of dark red lipstick for a more defined look!
Strawberry Copper Balayage
Strawberry balayage is a warm combination of both golden and copper tones which complement fair skin. This almost pink take on the copper trend is maybe the most-natural looking type of copper, as the delicate shades blend seamlessly throughout. Strawberry copper balayage is an easy colour to pull off – making it a perfect colour for those with a lighter base who are thinking about trying a copper shade for the first time.
Copper Balayage
Copper balayage is a great opportunity for those who want to dip their toe into the copper life but aren’t sure where to start. This shade works best on a lighter base, to add warmth to the overall looks. Unfortunately, copper does fade quite quickly, making this rich hue a very high maintenance colour. But with copper balayage, the regrowth is less noticeable and often grows out better, so this could be an option if you’re not wanting to maintain the upkeep!
Fashion Colours Balayage Ideas
Pastel colours are back in fashion! It’s time to break up with conventional hair colours and try something new! We’ve been seeing pops of pink, purples and blues popping up all over our timelines and it’s giving us some serious hair envy. Especially with festival season just around the corner, colourful balayage could be your best friend when it comes to adding a pop of colour to your look.
Pink Balayage
Pink balayage is a fun pop of colour for those with a lighter base – this one is guaranteed to blow up on Instagram every single time! The possibilities are endless with pink balayage, you could go for a pretty pastel pink or a vivid pop of dark pink!
Purple Balayage
Purple balayage looks so cool on those with a darker base, adding depth and dimension to the base. The possibilities are endless with purple balayage – you could go for a lilac which looks gorgeous on a lighter base or a darker purple which works best on a darker base.
Electric Blue Balayage
Think Kylie Jenner in her ‘King Kylie’ Era which had us all in a choke hold! If you’re wanting to add a bit of colour to your hair, this shade works beautifully on both lighter and darker bases.
Ombre Balayage Ideas
Ombre balayage is a gradient between a lighter and darker colour, with the darker colour often being at the root and the lighter colour being further down the lengths. The possibilities are endless with ombre balayage, from subtle gradient fades to high-contrast colour transitions, your colour can be as vibrant or subtle as you wish! Ombré balayage is a better option for those with thicker hair as the techniques used to create this look will give a more saturated effect, all whilst still giving the hair that ‘lived-in’ look that requires minimal maintenance.
Face-Framing Balayage
Whilst balayage is known for lightening the face, it can also be used to frame the face and enhance its features. Behind every beautiful balayage is a skilled colourist who has taken the time to strategically hand paint their colour! Face-framing balayage accentuates facial feature and adds an overall brighter look around the face. We’d recommend using lighter tones for face-framing pieces to add depth and dimension to the overall look!
Short Hair Balayage Ideas
Balayage isn’t reserved for longer hair – you can still create a beautiful balayage for shorter hair. This includes pixie cuts, bobs and lobs – with balayage being a great way to add texture, depth and dimension. Balayage works for both a lighter and darker base on short hair which creates the illusion of thicker hair – we love it!
Long Hair Balayage Ideas
There’s nothing better than beautiful balayage on long hair as it enhances longer locks and adds movement to the hair. The possibilities with balayage on long hair are endless thanks to the amount of hair, which means more creative diverse balayage looks. From soft, blended balayage to bold, statement making ombre – there’s a beautiful balayage look for everyone!
Maintenance and Aftercare Tips
You’ve invested time and money into getting your hair looking so good, so it’s vital that you invest in an at-home routine that keeps your balayage looking fresh. We’d recommend investing in a colour safe shampoo and conditioners that won’t pull colour from the hair, and try a colour toning conditioning mask, which is a great way to refresh your blonde hair in between salon visits.
Another great way to keep your balayage looking salon finished is to invest in a light hair oil which will keep your ends looking neat and mid-lengths looking glossy. We’d recommend keeping your hair healthy to extend the longevity of your balayage colour, so it’s essential to remember that hydrated hair is healthy hair! Remember to drink plenty of water and eat foods rich with Omega 3!
Book Your Hair Appointment Now
Are you ready to take the plunge and start your journey to beautifully balayage hair? Book your hair appointment with one of our skilled stylists at Rush.co.uk or find a hairdresser near you to embark on a personalised hair journey to finding your perfect shade. Our experts are experts in creating diverse balayage looks – they’re here to bring your hair dreams to life.
FAQs About Balayage:
What is the best colour for balayage?
The best balayage colour is completely down to your skin tone and individual style. We’d recommend having a chat with your stylist to find which shade best compliments you!
How long does balayage take?
The process can take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours, depending on your hair type, whilst also giving the stylist time to place the colour and allow it to be processed.
How long does balayage last?
As with any hair colour, a certain level of commitment is required to maintain the look, meaning that if you’re looking to keep your balayage looking fresh, you’ll be required to make a trip to the salon every 8 to 10 weeks.
What is the downside of balayage?
A dramatic change, like lightening the hair, can result in the structure of the hair being weakened, leaving the hair more prone to breakage. We’d recommend chatting with your stylist before proceeding if you suffer from thinning, damaged or fine hair.
Which balayage will suit me?
We’d recommend having a chat with your stylist to find which shade best compliments your skin tone and individual style.
Is balayage better than highlights?
The terms balayage and highlights are interchangeable as both create very similar effects. The only difference is that balayage doesn’t use foil, whilst highlights do.
What is the colour of balayage in 2024?
Honey balayage has been popping up all over our timelines and this shade looks gorgeous on both a lighter and darker base – adding colour to where the sun would naturally hit the hair for the ultimate sun-kissed effect. This is the perfect balayage shade for both the warmer and colder months to make you feel like you’re living in an endless summer!
What is the difference between balayage and traditional highlights?
The terms balayage and highlights are interchangeable as both create very similar effects. The only difference is that balayage doesn’t use foil, whilst highlights do. Highlights are more sectioned than balayage which is free-handed.
Can balayage be done on any hair colour?
Yes! Balayage can be used to lighten up any hair colour!
How often should I touch up my balayage?
As with any hair colour, a certain level of commitment is required to maintain the look, meaning that if you’re looking to keep your balayage looking fresh, you’ll be required to make a trip to the salon every 8 to 10 weeks.
Is balayage suitable for all hair types?
Balayage is suitable for all hair types and works especially well for those with thin or fine hair as it creates the illusion of thicker hair.
Can I achieve balayage results at home?
We’d always recommend going to a professional for any lightening treatments. A dramatic change, like lightening the hair, can result in the structure of the hair being weakened, leaving the hair more prone to breakage. We’d recommend chatting with your stylist before proceeding if you suffer from thinning, damaged or fine hair.
