Pinky's tips: Balayage colouring is back on the scene

Balayage first graced the hairdressing scene back in 2005 on the Vogue forums. Since which we have seen this trend storm through the industry leaving an everlasting stamp and now becoming the all-time favourite technique for hair colouring with everyday clients and celebrities alike. 

Celebrities such as Rose Byrne, Lauren Conrad, Gisele Bundchen, Julia Roberts, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Erin Wasson, to name a few, rock Bayalage. 

Balayage is a French colouring technique that was developed in the 1970s. It’s a freehand technique used to apply colour by hand-painting individual strands of hair rather than using the traditional foiling or cap highlighting techniques. Balayage can be used in even the shortest pixie crop, however, the best effect is in hair below the shoulders. 

With Balayage being the most popular hair colouring request in salons today, it’s the go-to for modern, chic hair, creating depth and dimension, and leaves you with a sun-kissed finish. 

You will need to have a minimum of three appointments spaced six weeks apart to really build up the colour initially. 

In turn you can go four months without having it touched up, making Balayage an affordable way to colour your hair and leaving hair free from a solid demarcation line or regrowth; this way, if you cannot afford to get it done for another month, it won’t look ridiculous. However, you would need to come into the salon for a toner and a treatment to freshen up the colour in between
appointments. 

Now, ladies, please don’t try this at home. If your Balayage isn’t done correctly you can end up with excessive overlapping that can cause damage. 

Balayage will dry your hair out no more than classic foiling, as long as you have a trained professional applying your colour you should be fine. 

Just like with any colouring service, you need to use salon professional shampoos and conditioners as well as have regular treatments. 

No matter what the technique, your colour will always look its best if your hair is in good condition.

The fact it’s so low maintenance is such a draw for women too.  People want to look fashionable and feel good about their appearance but in this day and age we don’t all have the time to be in the salon every few weeks for a touch up.

It’s also a… however!