Balayage

A consultation appointment is always sensible when you're unsure about your wishes, have severely damaged hair, or have coloured or tinted hair.

Not every wish is achievable on tinted or coloured hair. Pigments have been deposited artificially, so that when we lighten, the result can differ from naturally untreated hair – the pigments react differently and are usually harder to remove. The result of the first treatment can turn out darker or warmer than desired. In a consultation beforehand we can discuss all of this and give you an estimate of what's possible.

The word Balayage comes from the French verb "balayer", which means "to sweep". The technique is also referred to as the "sweeping technique" because the colour is applied to the hair with a brush that is swept across the strands. It is one of the best ways to create a natural highlighted look.

Balayage is a modern method to give the hair a new colour. The strands are painted on freehand with a brush, producing a natural and gradual transition from root to tip. The technique creates a unique and individual touch in the hair and a natural highlighted finish. The roots can keep their natural colour or use a coloured base, and many strands are then pulled freehand down from there.

Balayage can be created using foil, paper or cotton. Bleach is usually used, not permanent colour. To finish, a Balayage is rounded off with a Glossing for a fine nuance and a polished natural look.

Unlike classic highlights, with Balayage the strands are placed freehand and irregularly to achieve a particularly natural look. As a result, the treatment doesn't need to be repeated as often, since Balayage can grow out naturally.

Another advantage is that the bleach is only applied to the lengths and tips, not directly on the scalp, which minimises the risk of skin irritation. That also makes Balayage a great option during pregnancy.

Depending on hair structure and care, Balayage can last between 3 and 6 months – after that it is usually too grown out. It's important to look after your Balayage regularly with a suitable shampoo and conditioner.

Our recommendation is a regular toning to keep the shine and the blonde tone.

Olaplex is an add-on option available with every service.

Olaplex is a product range from the USA that instantly conjures up cared-for, healthy hair by repairing broken disulphide bonds in the hair structure. It also enables gentler colour changes, for example from dark hair to platinum blonde.

A toning is a refinement of the hair, mostly used after bleaching processes to nuance the colour. It also gives the hair extra shine; for our Balayage service a toning is always included as standard.

A toning should be refreshed every 6-8 weeks to keep the perfect colour result.

To look after Balayage-treated hair properly, it's important to use high-quality care developed specifically for coloured and bleached hair.

A shampoo, conditioner and heat protectant should always be part of the routine. A regular mask is also very important for Balayage and for keeping the natural, polished highlight look. Over time the colour can shift, which can be corrected with another Glossing or a colour shampoo. Then the sun-kissed look shines again. Every wash should include a shampoo, a care product such as conditioner or mask, and a leave-in.

We recommend products from L'Oréal and Olaplex for the perfect Balayage look.

Balayage and Ombré are both techniques to create a colour transition from a dark shade to a lighter one.

The difference is that with Balayage the strands are placed delicately to create a smooth gradual transition, while with Ombré the strands are applied at a specific angle and the tips are fully bleached to produce a sharp, contrasting transition. Balayage gives a natural, fine result that lends the hair a lively, modern colour. Ombré, on the other hand, produces a high-contrast, eye-catching effect.