Rather than using foils like traditional highlights, the balayage method involves applying the hair color in a vertical painting motion. This allows your stylist more artistic freedom and helps create a more organic-looking gradient of color that appears brighter around the face with roots that blend with your natural hair. During application, your stylist will lightly sweep the color in vertical motions onto the hair, placing strips of saran wrap between each section of hair to protect against color bleeding or spotting. With this method, your stylist can customize the color by selecting strands of hair they would like to lighten, often concentrating most of the lighter color toward the front of the face and the ends of the hair. The final result of this popular sweeping technique is multidimensional, natural-looking highlights.

When it comes to balayage, if done correctly, your highlighted tips will have little demarcation and blend seamlessly with the rest of your natural hair. Because balayage is a technique that involves painting in a vertical motion and does not include the same foil technique of traditional highlights, your color will look much softer and more natural, with less identifiable lines of demarcation. Not only will this save you time and money, but it will also help keep your hair healthy. If you’re not already sold on the thought of sun-kissed beach highlights, learn more about the added perks of balayage: 

Low-Maintenance—Because of the less intense demarcation, balayage is much more low maintenance than traditional highlights. Your stylist will leave your roots dark, allowing for more time to pass between salon visits as your roots will grow out softly and seamlessly. Our stylists at the Z Hair Academy cosmetology school in Kansas City suggest visiting the salon twice a year for regular maintenance. If you tend to spend a lot of time swimming or lying poolside in the summer, you may opt for a brassier look and use moisturizing shampoo and conditioner to extend the life of your color between appointments. 

Minimal Damage—Since balayage doesn’t involve excessive bleach and color, you will experience significantly less hair damage than with traditional highlights. No heat is retained inside of the foils, which can lead to over-processing, decreasing your chances of damage and ensuring healthier hair. 

Cost-Effective—With minimal maintenance and fewer visits to the salon, balayage is also a great way to save money. Use your excess savings to invest in new hair accessories and styling tools to go with your fresh style!

While balayage is less harsh than traditional highlighting techniques, it still involves bleach, toner, and gloss, so it is essential to consult with your colorist before scheduling your first balayage appointment. During your consultation, your stylist will consider the condition of your hair and your ultimate color goals before developing a plan for your first appointment. While the condition of your hair plays a significant role in determining the amount of time your first appointment will take, our stylists at the Z Hair Academy cosmetology school in Kansas City suggest allotting three to five hours for your first appointment, which will include the following:

Consultation—Before your hairstylist begins your balayage, they will regroup and discuss your goals for the appointment. This is the appropriate time to voice any concerns and show any inspiration photos that you have. It’s always a good idea to bring a few reference photos that your stylist can work from to ensure you get the exact color you want! Your stylist will also ask questions relating to your hair, such as how you like to style it and which way you prefer to part it, so be ready to answer any questions they may have for you. 

Painting—Once you have discussed your hair color goals and any relevant information with your stylist, they will begin mixing your perfect highlight color and start the application process. Since you will be required to sit for a couple of hours, it’s a good idea to use the restroom and find anything you may need during your appointment! If you have a lot of hair, your stylist will create sections to make the painting easier and more precise, specifically selecting strands to paint and covering them with cotton or saran wrap to prevent blending or bleeding. For a lighter look, your stylists will create smaller sections, choosing more strands to paint. 

Drying—After the application process is complete, you will be required to sit under the hairdryer to help speed up the lightening process. If your hair is damaged or fragile, your stylist may choose to set you under the dryer without heat.

Rinsing the color off—Once your strands have lightened to the appropriate shade, you will have the color rinsed out and will likely receive a protein treatment to promote healthy hair. Many times your stylist will use Olaplex to restore your hair bonds. 

Gloss—Once your hair is rinsed, it may not immediately be the exact color you were hoping for, so your colorist will apply a toner to blend your natural base with the new highlights, creating a more golden or icier tone. Once the toner sets for the appropriate amount of time, your colorist will rinse out the formula and shampoo and condition your hair. 

Cut—If you are in the mood for a new haircut to go with your color, your stylist will complete your haircut once the coloring process is finished. 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Stoked to relive our Paris show tonight when the City of Lover concert airs at 10pm ET/ 9pm CT on @abcnetwork – then tomorrow on @hulu and @disneyplus 💕 It was the best album release party I could’ve wished for 😆✨💐🎆🕶 love you guys 💋

A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on May 17, 2020 at 10:11am PDT

At the student salon within the Z Hair Academy cosmetology school in Kansas City, students under licensed educators’ supervision can provide you with the perfect beach balayage this summer. Find out how to achieve the perfect color for your hair by booking an appointment at our student salon today!

Whether you would like to visit our student salon within the Z Hair Academy cosmetology school in Kansas City or are interested in pursuing a career in hair, we want to talk to you! Contact our cosmetology school in Kansas City or one of our three other locations. We look forward to speaking with you!

Get Started