Balayage is a natural-looking hair coloring technique where highlights are hand-painted in a sweeping motion, creating a sun-bleached effect. It emerged in Paris in the 1970s and became popular in the US in the late 1990s. The process requires a steady hand and can be applied to all hair types. American tailoring combines balayage with conventional foiling for a more intense look. It’s important to choose an experienced stylist as mistakes can be difficult to fix.
Balayage is a hair coloring technique designed to create very natural looking highlights that grow out without developing a noticeable, noticeable root. Many stars and models use this process on their hair, and in response to popular demand, many salons are offering it, especially in urban areas. Some pride themselves on their technique, considering themselves artisans of the trade and offering training to people interested in learning it.
This coloring method emerged in Paris in the 1970s; the name is French for “to sweep,” a reference to the way the color is applied. After being exported to the United States, balayage became extremely popular in the late 1990s. In the United States, the word is sometimes spelled “balliage.”
When hair is colored with the balayage process, the highlights are hand painted in a sweeping motion moving from the base to the ends of the hair. At the base the color is applied very lightly, while at the tip the color is very intense. The result is a chunky highlight that looks naturally sun-bleached, and as hair grows, the root will be hidden for the first few months by the more subtle color applied to the base of the hair.
Carrying out the process takes time and requires a good eye and a very steady hand. However, many people find that the end result is worth it. Unlike foiled highlights, which look very even and a little unnatural, hair that has been balayed looks like it has simply been in the sun. The highlights can be subtle or more intense, depending on the client’s wishes, and the technique is not only for blondes, but can also be applied to brown and red hair.
A related concept is American tailoring, which combines the French process with conventional foiling to achieve a very dramatic and intense look with rich color saturation. Not all beauty schools offer training in these techniques; some stylists prefer to apprentice at salons that offer it so they can learn from the masters. People who are considering getting their hair colored this way should be sure to ask to see a portfolio and ask the stylist to be upfront about their experience with different hair colors and hair types, as balayage gone wrong can be difficult to fix.
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