Bla-yage? Bool-yaje? Be-le-ya-ge? What is that? Can you request it at a salon? Is it the same thing as bleaching? Let’s break it down.

So, what is balayage?

Balayage, pronounced bah-lah-yah-jjj is a technique. It’s not a color. It’s not the same as ombre or color blocking. It’s not the texture of the hair or the length. It’s a technique used by colorists to achieve a soft, lightening result.

In balayage, the hair is painted with bleach to achieve a seamless and soft result to allow for a beautiful grow-out.

In contrast, highlights or traditional foils have a less seamless grow-out so they’re more suitable for anyone wanting to be blonde at the roots.

Who should get a balayage?

Balayage is perfect for anyone wanting an easy and seamless grow-out, with the lighter pieces starting about 3 inches or more down from the root.

It’s perfect for brunettes and low maintenance folks.

Can I get a balayage without using bleach?

Not really. Bleach is ammonia, and we need ammonia to remove pigment from the hair.

How often do I need a maintenance for my balayage?

Depending on your colorist, 6-8 months is usually a good time frame to get your color or front pieces refreshed.

How do I book a balayage at a salon?

The best thing to do is to bring 3 pictures of your desired hair color to your appointment and your colorist will find the best technique to give you what you want.

How do I find a balayage artist?

Instagram! Use hashtags of where you live, i.e. #texas followed by #balayage and see what pops up. Hit the recent tab for the most active accounts.

DM or book the ones that stand out to you. And be nice. The busy and successful ones will appreciate a thoughtful message.