What is Balayage Hair & Why Is It Trending in 2020?

Whether it is makeup, hair, or clothing — there are always going to be new trends. This latest trend in hair color is really taking over. Move over highlights and lowlights! There is a new boss in town, and its name is balayage. This is one trend that hasn’t gone out of style within the last few years. In fact, it keeps evolving in new ways with various hair lengths and color palette options. It can only get better from here, right?

What is Balayage?

Are you wondering what balayage hair is? The word “balayage” is actually a French term meaning to sweep, brush, or paint. This method of applying lightener or color gives the stylist more control to create finer lines, so the outgrowth is not as drastic as your standard highlights. It’s that natural, sun-kissed coloring we all had in the summer as kids and are dying to get back as adults. The balayage hair coloring method focuses more on the ends of the hair and the lines become fainter as the stylist works his or her way up to the top of the hairline.

How Does the Balayage Hair Coloring Technique Work?

Lightener is applied on the surface of the hair. The stylist must make sure that the color does not saturate through the sections of hair until they reach the end portion of each section. This is to help give the hair that soft natural look and avoid those thick streaks of color. Some stylists prefer to do the balayage technique freehanded without using any foils. However, when you are learning, it is best to stick with using foils to prevent any color from bleeding onto other sections of the hair. Though similar, balayage is not the same as the ombre hair technique. Ombre coloring is when the hair is lightened or color in larger sections going from dark to light. This method is not as blended as balayage and is more of a drastic, faded look.

Why is this trend so popular?

This trend is popular not just because it looks great, but maintenance for this coloring technique is half of what it would be with dying or highlights. When a client’s hair grows out after getting balayage, they don’t have to deal with blunt outgrowth sticking out like a sore thumb. Instead, it’s very gradual, and if they let it grow out, the balayage will just take on a darker contrast from dark to light. Some people might even prefer the darker range of tones from their balayage outgrowth.

Ready to Start a Career in Cosmetology?

Balayage is just one of the creative techniques used in cosmetology! If you have an interest in learning more about haircare and beauty this might be the right career path for you. Contact us to find out more about a career in areas of the beauty industry such as cosmetology, esthetics, makeup, and barbering.