Balayage - What It Is & Who It’s For

I’m not sure what we were doing before balayage hit the scene in the mid 00’s but boy, has she stood the test of time. Captivating the hearts of those seeking natural, sun-kissed locks— this (traditionally) hand-painted technique has become synonymous with effortless beauty that transcends trends regardless of what’s going viral on TikTok.

Balayage, a French word meaning "to sweep" or "to paint," is a technique that involves the freehand application of colour to create a seamlessly blended, natural-looking effect. Unlike traditional highlighting methods, where foils are used to create uniform weaves, balayage artists hand-paint highlights onto select strands, strategically placing them to mimic the way the sun naturally lightens hair. The result? Soft, gradual transitions between shades, giving your hair a radiant, sun-kissed appearance. But it should be noted that the results are often are the warm side - why? because hair doesn’t lift to ultra clean/pale yellow (hairdresser lingo) if there’s no foils or heat present. Never fear! At Paloma Roan, we get ehat the hype is all about and so we’ve taken elements of traditional balayage and have incorporated our signature highlights and tip outs to give you the light, seamless results you desire

Who Is Balayage For?

Balayage is perfect for those who crave a low-maintenance look that seamlessly blends with their natural hair colour. The technique enhances your existing tones, adding dimension without the need for constant touch-ups. You will likely need to come 4 times per year for optimum results but the amount of lightness placed in your hair each time will vary. Usually, after one large service you’ll only need to retouch with a 1/2 or 1/4 until your natural really grows down.

Choose it if - you appreciate the allure of effortlessly chic hair, balayage is your go-to choice. The technique is known for its ability to create a laid-back, beachy vibe that exudes casual elegance. It’s also versatile and works well with various hair lengths and textures. Whether you have mid or long hair, straight or curly locks, balayage can be tailored to suit your unique style and preferences. One of the biggest benefits, it really is low-maintenance as far as hair colour goes - with balayage, there's no need to rush to the salon every few weeks. The low-maintenance nature of this technique means your hair will continue to look fabulous as it grows out, making it ideal for those with hectic schedules.

What to book for…

If you’ve never been to our salon before or, if you’ve been elsewhere and are hoping to adjust your colour - it’s best to book for a full head highlights/balayage with a gloss and finishing service. This will ensure your stylist has enough time to create the colour of your dreams and will allow room for a thorough consultation where we can delve into your lifestyle, budget and maintenance program.

How is it different to Lived-In Colour?

Such a good question! The two have extremely similar looks and can often be confused - generally, balayage is all about lifting the mids and ends of your hair whereas lived-in colour breaks up through the roots with fine highlights and generally requires face-framing highlights. We find that we do a combination of the two looks in many services - since balayage is actually a freehand technique that delivers a warm result, many of our clients want the “vibe” but not the warmth. This usually means that we create balayage looks in foil to lift to a creamy tone.

Basin balayage is an express service that we do regularly at Paloma Roan - it’s great for budging through stubborn tone and removing build up of warmth on pre-existing blonde. You know those bombshell looks that are super bright and poppy? That’s probably had a little basin balayage.

What to use at home?

Balayage if often performed on mid to long hair so it’s likely you’ll want something deeply nourishing to keep your length happy. We highly recommend our Young Again range from Kevin Murphy or the OWAY Smoothing line, you’ll want the perfect combination of protein and hydration to keep your locks looking luscious and shiny all year round.