How-Tos > Balayage
Last updated: May 31, 2017

Balayage

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Balayage

Balayage is the French way of highlighting. It gives the client a more European look with fewer highlights near the roots and more highlights on the ends of the hair.  Click on the individual images for details on this process. 

 

HOW-TO STEPS

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    The word Balayage means “to sweep.” The technique is to paint product on the hair using a sweeping motion rather than pushing product into the hair as you do when foiling. The result is a very natural look with an easy grow out because there is no line of demarcation. It would not be appropriate for clients who want a more dramatic look.

    Siggers Hairdressers brought the Balayage technique to the U.S. in 1995. They continue their education by traveling to Paris each fall to learn the latest techniques and teach classes on these techniques all over the country plus host classes at their salon in Atlanta every other month.

    Credits:
    Balayage by Chad Siggers
    Photography Robert Galbaugh
    Makeup Suni

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    Section hair from client’s part from the crown of the head to behind the ears to create three sections.  Start with the back section.  Make your first part at the longest layer.

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    Paint 1/2″ highlights 1/2″ apart across the section taking care not to overlap the already highlighted ends.

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    Weave out some hair  between the highlights to be your lowlights, use lowlight papers to keep the hair color contained to those strands.  (Reference STEP 5 for another view)

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    Part another sub-section 1″ above the completed sub-section and continue highlighting.  Brick lay the highlights for a more natural look or stack them for a more bold look.

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    Lowlight the strands between the highlights as is STEP 3.

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    Continue highlighting and low lighting parting off the head in 1″ sub-sections until you get to the crown of the head. (i.e. the last sub-section)

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    Start on the side section that is the heaviest, and part off a 1″ sub-section above the ear.

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    Continue with your highlight touch up and lowlights.

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    Work up the head maintaining 1″ parting sub-sections.

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    When you reach the part move to the last section.

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    Make your first part 1″ above the ear.  Continue highlighting as before.  Remember not to over lap the already highlighted ends.

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    Weave your lowlights between the highlights and use lowlight paper.

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    Work up the head maintaining 1″ parting sub-sections.

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    When you reach the part you are finished.

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    The finished result of your application appears like this.

    For more information please log on to: www.balayage.com

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