Balayage is not an actual look itself, but a technique. Unlike traditional highlights created using foil, a bayalage treatment involves applying highlights by hand onto the surface of various sections of hair. Like the ombre technique, when applied expertly, bayalage produces a very natural look.
Balayage is a French word meaning “to sweep.” Balayage highlights usually involve a dye or lightener just a few shades lighter than your base color. The combination produces a natural-looking depth and dimension to your hair. Hair color dye or lightener is “swept” on by hand, starting at the midshaft area of the hair. The color is applied more densely further down the section of hair to the ends. This technique differs from standard highlights, which involve placing aluminum foil wrapped around sections of the hair. The dye is then painted on precisely and the hair is evenly saturated from root to tip. Because bayalage involves hand-painting dye or lightener onto the surface of the hair, the result is a natural, sun-kissed look that does not have the predictable pattern of standard highlights.
A full balayage means that dye or lightener is applied throughout all of your hair to give you natural-looking highlights throughout. Unlike other highlighting methods, you will not have noticeable root grow-out or require regular colorings to maintain. A partial bayalage or mini balayage is applied only to small, specific areas, such as only around the face or upper area of your hair. Bayalage creates highlights that blend seamlessly with your natural hair color.
Standard highlights generally last a couple of months before your root color begins to show noticeably. The greater the contrast in highlight and base color, the greater the need for regular color maintenance. Several months may pass before needing a touch-up for bayalage highlights because of their subtle blending of colors.
