An Expert Guide to Balayage
Your hairstylist is the artist. Your hair—the perfect canvas.
There's something about the changing seasons that can inspire you to make some personal changes too. Whether it's letting go of a toxic ex, trying your hand at pickleball, or simply refreshing your look with balayage hair, the possibilities are endless. Within the realm of hair treatments, balayage exudes an effortless sophistication that foil highlights might not always achieve. Think: model off duty.
So, what exactly is balayage? According to the expert colorist, Bobby Michael, “Balayage is a hand painting technique that allows for a natural, customizable way to lighten the hair.” This method enables the gradual placement of highlights or touches of lightness, providing a seamless and blended effect. The key distinction between highlights and balayage, as explained by Michael, lies in the contrast: “Highlights are isolated groups of hair all lightened to the same color, creating distinct, bold sections in the hair, whereas balayage offers a smooth gradient or more organic appearance.”
“The placement of balayage highlights typically follows an ombre or gradient style, with a gradual transition of color fading from darker at the roots to lighter towards the ends. This technique recreates the effect of how the sun naturally lightens hair, as the longer hairs that have seen the most summers are naturally brighter,” explains Ashlee Norman, hair stylist. In addition to the lighter ends and shadowed roots, balayage is also characterized by brighter pieces at the hairline, especially around the face, which is often referred to as the “money piece.”
If it's your first time getting balayage, follow this simple piece of advice from Tiffanie Richards, master colorist at Louise O’Conner Salon in New York City: “If you typically wear your hair natural, come into your appointment with your natural hair texture; if you usually wear it blown out, schedule a blowout the day before your appointment.” Balayage is completely freehand, so seeing how you usually wear your hair will give your colorist the best palette to place highlights exactly where they need to be.
In the market for a beautiful lived-in look? Keep scrolling to discover 17 of our favorite balayage styles.
Dark Chocolate Balayage
When it comes to contrast, being super obvious isn’t always the way to go, especially for brunettes. According to Denver-based balayage expert, Mick Lewis, “Subtle dimension is super important to keep the hair looking luxurious.”
Blonde Butter Balayage
For certain balayage looks, you may need to specifically ask for panels. “The technique involves lightening the entire top section of the hair while leaving the underneath dark. This contrast helps the blonde pop and creates a stunning effect,” says Richards. It’s particularly beneficial for those with thin hair, as it adds volume and depth.
Mocha Balayage
Picking the right hair tone to complement your skin tone is paramount. As Lewis puts it, “I tend to reflect the skin tone with the hair color.”
Warm Blonde Ombré
According to Houston-based hair stylist Eric Vaughn, ombré is making a comeback, and this style is right on-trend with its solid light ends. “This look is perfect for the warm blonde that wants brightness but also low maintenance vibes for the summer.”
Chocolate Salted Caramel Balayage
Chocolate salted caramel is the “ideal choice for brunettes who desire caramel and chocolate accents while maintaining their brunette charm,” says Vaughn.
Golden Butterscotch Balayage
If you’re searching for warmth, consider trying your hand (or leave it to your colorist if you’re being smart) at golden butterscotch—a shade that hair colorist Lamont Gonzales adores. “I love warm tones that mimic candy or spices, as it’ll give your skin a glow,” says Gonzales.
Natural Looking Balayage
As Vaughn suggests, a subtle balayage is perfect for those who desire dimension without appearing like they color their hair.
Toffee Balayage
The best thing about balayage is how wonderfully low maintenance it can be. “I never paint directly on a client’s root during the balayage process, so when it begins to grow out, it’s practically seamless. As a result, clients only have to pop into the salon twice a year," says Gonzales.
Ash Brown Balayage
“An olive skin tone will benefit from a subtle balayage,” dimension hair specialist Daniel Mora Ayala says. Opt for tones that fall within the range of neutral warm to warm tones.
Honey Blonde Balayage
According to Richards, Sofia Richie's balayage follows a less-is-more approach. Her hair looks thicker and gains more movement by accentuating the front and the ends while keeping the darker natural color at the top. “This look is best suited for those with long layers. However, it may not have the same effect on bangs or hair with multiple layers,” she says.
Sandy Brown Balayage
Vaughn is a fan of this look he created — the strategic placement of balayage around the face frame, combined with ombré light ends, truly enhances the overall appearance.
Sunlit Blonde Balayage
As Gonzales emphasizes, “Over-highlighting is canceled. We want to see more lived-in hair going forward.” Consider asking for balayage lowlights throughout your hair for a fresh, updated, and natural look.
Golden Balayage
For those with golden skin tones, a golden balayage with a warm base will be ideal, as it will make your skin glow, says Ayala.
Chestnut Brown Balayage
If you want to experiment with dimension in a brunette look, Ayala suggests adding pops of color all through the hair and using a “tone on tone” approach, typically nothing more than two levels lighter than the base.
Warm Beige Balayage
“Warm beige balayage will suit most skin tones, and it’s one of the safest colors to go for,” explains Ayala. He adds, “It’s soft and rich at the same time” — a line we wish others used to describe us.
Fire Balayage
Colorist Devyn Pennell raves about the fire balayage, describing it as a “natural copper with hints of blondes that makes for the perfect duo.”
Mushroom Brown Balayage
The truth is, sometimes brunettes have more fun. As Pennell suggests, “Lean into your natural color, and you’ll see how much your features will enhance!”
Iman Balagam is a freelance writer who has been in the beauty industry for nearly five years. She has written for and contributed to top women’s magazines and digital brands such as Harper's BAZAAR, Allure, Byrdie, Elle and more. She will try *nearly* anything and spends a lot of time looking for new ways to store her beauty products in a small New York apartment.
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