What Type of Hair Is Best for Balayage?

You might have noticed the increased popularity of a natural-looking highlighting technique called balayage, which gives hair a sense of softness at the top with lighter ends. Maybe you have noticed the trend on celebrities such as Halle Berry, Gisele Bündchen, Jennifer Aniston, and Jessica Biel. Or, perhaps you have seen your friends adopt the style. Either way, your curiosity about this coloring technique may have you asking if it is right for you.

The great news is unless you have a particularly short hairstyle (such as a pixie cut), balayage can work for your hair type. Read on to learn more about this beautiful technique and how you can make the most of it.

What Is Balayage?

Balayage is a technique invented in Paris in the 1970s. With this technique, the stylist paints the color onto your hair freehand. The term comes from the French word meaning “to sweep,” referring to how a lightener or a color has been “swept” through your hair with a brush and a paddle board.

Balayage offers many benefits, including:

• The ability to create a custom look to enhance your face’s natural beauty
• Reduced maintenance compared to traditional highlights
• Less heat-related damage than other hair coloring techniques
• Applicability to all types of hair

Balayage for Different Hair Types

The balayage technique can create a unique look for people with all hair types. Those with light hair often find blonde hues the most flattering. Darker hair can look stunning with brown, chocolate, caramel, or cinnamon highlights. Your skin tone and eye color will help determine what looks best.

Here are some ways a balayage treatment can enhance the look of different types of hair.

Wavy Hair

For many, balayage is synonymous with the laid-back beachiness of a wavy head of hair with sun-lightened strands. Balayage with mildly contrasting colors can add considerable definition and dimension to your hair texture if you have wavy hair.

Straight Hair

While many people associate the technique with wavy hair, balayage can also look stunning on straight strands. Many hair colorists consider silky straight hair a wonderful way to show off their artistic skills. Streaks of color can add a lovely sense of visual depth.

Curly Hair

Balayage can be an excellent way to bring out the beautiful texture of your curls. A few strokes of lightener can help highlight each curve of the natural coils of hair. Choosing a hue that is about two shades brighter than your base color can give you a flattering, natural-looking glow.

Common Types of Balayage

One of the main benefits of balayage is that stylists can customize it to suit your wants and needs. Some of the common types of balayage you can consider include:

• Full balayage – This technique applies highlights throughout your hair.
• Partial balayage – A partial treatment applies highlights only to specific areas of your hair.
• Subtle balayage – This soft variation applies color just to areas of the hair that catch the light most naturally.
• American balayage – While traditional balayage is a freehand technique, the American variation includes foiling. Your stylist will apply foil highlights and brush-paint the hair that remains between the foils. This technique works particularly well for people with dark hair.
• Reverse balayage – This trendy technique is excellent for blondes and brondes, using darker colors at the end. Think of the result as something that falls between a balayage and an ombré.
• Babylights / Micro-highlights – This subtle technique employs particularly fine highlights. While this technique requires a lot of time to apply, the effect lasts longer than all other balayage varieties.

Colorists are constantly inventing new ways of working with the balayage technique. Speak to a certified balayage specialist if there is a new variety you would like to explore.

Caring for Balayage Hair

As with all hair coloring techniques, balayage can dry out your hair. Speak with your stylist to find the best products and develop a good conditioning strategy. You may also find it helpful to schedule regular appointments to restore, tone, and nourish your locks. After all, balayage looks most attractive on healthy hair.

Contact Therapy Hair Studio Today

Therapy Hair Studio has offered an excellent variety of services to Houston clients since 2008. Our fantastic team of stylists employs high-quality products and cutting-edge styling techniques. We are proud to serve many satisfied clients across the Houston area, and we look forward to helping you achieve your desired balayage look.

If you are interested in making a balayage appointment, call us at (713) 355-4247 or contact us online for an appointment with a certified stylist.