High Speed Balayage: 5 Tips To Help You Pick Up The Pace

5 Tips To Help You Master The High Speed Balayage Technique

Would you agree that balayage is one of your most-requested services right now? Then it’s time you start maximizing these appointments with timesaving cheats and quicker application methods. To help you pick up the pace, Lo Wheeler (@lo_wheelerdavis) stopped by The BTC House to share her high speed balayage technique.

But first, let’s talk about timing. This technique should only take about 2 to 2½ hours:

• Application—30 minutes
• Processing—40 to 50 minutes
• Finishing/Styling—30 minutes
• Greeting/Consultation/Photos—About 10 minutes

Got it? Good! Now keep scrolling to get five of the best tips Lo shared, then click here to subscribe to BTC-U to gain access to the full online class!

1. The Wreath Parting Is Where It’s At

Lo says she loves to work with a wreath parting because it’s fast to paint and ensures the hairline is bright and bold. But what is it? It’s essentially a large halo section that mirrors the crown, which is where a wreath would sit on the head. Then, the hair left out is what Lo lightens first because it will naturally get the most lift and be the brightest.

2. Lo’s Secret For A Consistent Lift

By the time you reach the last few strands, is your lightener usually too thick and hard to work with? To avoid that AND to ensure a consistent lift throughout, Lo only works with one scoop of lightener at a time and remixes often. That way, her formula is always at its most powerful. As for the developer, you can bump it up as you work.

Note: When balayaging brunettes, Lo says she likes to mix Kenra Professional Simply Blonde Blue Powder Lightener with either 20- or 30-volume developer because she likes its consistency and texture. 

Products Used

Hair Color

Simply Blonde Blue Powder Lightener

Kenra Professional

3. How To Avoid Splotchiness & Bleeding

If you’re worried about the root area looking splotchy, Lo says to squeegee the excess product using two fingers to help blur potential trouble spots. But if you’re worried about product bleeding through, simply use cotton as a barrier between sections.

4. What To Do About Gray Coverage

If a client wants balayage but also needs gray coverage, Lo has two ways you can handle the appointment:

• You could apply the global root touch-up application first, then balayage at the shampoo bowl to save time.

• Or you could tackle both at the same time by applying the gray coverage formula to the roots and then balayaging the midlengths and ends.

5. How Different Hair Types Affect The Technique

For curly/thicker hair types that are more forgiving with balayage, Lo will surface paint globally around the head. But for finer hair and brunettes, which aren’t as forgiving, she’ll paint the top and bottom of each section and then triple check everything is perfectly blended.

Check out the before and after below!

Want to watch the full technique from start to finish? Click here to subscribe to BTC-U!

Do you know the difference between partial highlights vs. a half head of foils? Click here to find out!