Balayage is a colour technique where lighter pieces are painted in by hand, so the transition to your own colour is soft and the regrowth barely shows. At Stil i Lund on Klostergatan 1, every balayage starts with a consultation where we decide on tone and placement based on your hair.
What balayage is
Balayage is a French word meaning roughly 'to sweep'. The colour is painted on freehand instead of being applied in even sections from the root. The result should look as if the sun did the work – lighter through the lengths and around the face, darker near the root.
Because there's no sharp line at the root, balayage grows out softly. That makes it a good choice if you don't want to be in the salon chair every six weeks.
Who it suits
Balayage works best on hair that reaches roughly shoulder length or longer, where there's length to work with. It suits you whether you want a subtle change – a little more brightness and movement – or want to go noticeably lighter.
If your hair is very short, or you want even, defined lightness right from the root, classic highlights are often the better choice. We'll go through that together before we start.
How the visit works
We start with a conversation. I look at your natural colour, how your hair falls and how you usually wear it. Then I place the lighter pieces where they do the most good – for a natural look, more dimension and movement.
After colouring, the hair is often toned so the shade is exactly what we agreed. Many people combine colour with a cut in the same visit. Expect a visit like that to take a couple of hours.
Balayage, ombré or highlights?
The terms often get mixed up. Balayage is a technique – the colour is painted on freehand. Ombré is a result – a clear transition from dark at the top to light at the ends. Highlights are placed in thin, even sections from the root, usually in foils.
So a balayage can be subtle or striking, depending on how much lightness we add and where. If you're unsure what suits you, I've written a separate article on highlights or balayage.
Before your visit
Bring pictures. Colour is hard to describe in words – what is honey blonde to one person is beige to another. A picture of what you want, and ideally one of what you don't want, makes the conversation much easier.
Also tell me what your hair has been through in recent years: previous colour, bleaching, home colour or straightening treatments. Old colour stays in the lengths for a long time and affects how the hair lightens.
There's no need to wash your hair just before. Come as you are.
How light will it be the first time?
It depends on where you start. On light brown or dark blonde hair we can often reach the goal in one visit. On dark or previously coloured hair it's wiser to build the lightness in a couple of stages, so your hair keeps its quality.
I always tell you in advance what I think is possible. Healthy hair one shade darker is always more beautiful than damaged hair in exactly the right tone.
Caring for your colour at home
Lightened hair needs more moisture and care than untreated hair. Don't wash more often than you need to, use heat protection when blow-drying or straightening, and give the lengths a treatment now and then.
All Oribe products are colour-safe, and in the salon I'll help you choose the ones that suit your hair. Find out more here: Oribe.
Frequently asked questions
How often does balayage need topping up?
It depends on how different it is from your natural colour, but because the regrowth is soft, many people go considerably longer than with classic highlights. We'll talk it through at your visit.
Can I have balayage on dark hair?
Yes. On dark hair we often choose warmer tones such as caramel and honey, and prefer to build the lightness gradually rather than all at once.
How do I book?
Book an appointment online. If you're unsure which service to choose, book a consultation and we'll go through it in the salon.