Why Balayage is the Hair Trend You Need to Try in 2025

Balayage is a French highlight technique developed in France in the 1970s. Its literal meaning is “to weep,” i.e., to apply very neatly. You can use the color by hand painting on the hair strands. This will give you a natural and sun-kissed look. This technique is quite different from foil highlights. Here, foil is not used, and color is applied freehand, which creates a seamless and blended effect.

The most significant advantage of Balayage is that it is easy to maintain. When your hair grows, the regrowth lines are less visible, so it requires fewer touch-ups. This technique is suitable for every hair type and length. It easily blends with your natural base color.

If you want dimension and depth in your hair then in my opinion balm is an ideal choice for you. With this technique you can frame your face and it will enhance your overall style. If you get it done from a salon it will give you a fresh and modern look. Classic, subtle balayage highlights give you natural elegance and sophistication that matches old money style.

Balayage vs. Other Techniques

Balayage vs. Highlights

1. Method of Application:

• Balayage: You can apply the color on the strands of hair using a freehand sweeping motion.
• Highlights: For highlights, the color is applied to a specific section using foils or a cap.

2. Look and Effect:

• Balayage: Balayage gives you a natural, sun-kissed, and blended look.
• Highlights: It creates a bold contrast with uniform and defined streaks.

3. Maintenance:

• Balayage: It is low maintenance and is not noticeable while the roots of the hair grow.
• Highlights: These require more maintenance than balayage. When there is regrowth in the hair, it becomes more visible.

4. Ideal Candidates:

• Balayage: This is ideal for people who want a natural and effortless look.
• Highlights: This technique is best for people wanting a dramatic, structured color change.

5. Cost and Time:

• Balayage: A little expensive and time-consuming due to freehand application.
• Highlights: You can apply it in less time, which is comparatively cheaper.

6. Suitability for Hair Type:

• Balayage: This is suitable for all hair types and lengths.
• Highlight: You can make it more noticeable by applying it only to long and straight hair.

7. Popular Shades:

• Balayage: Popular shades include ash blonde, copper, red, and natural hues.
• Highlights: Popular shades include blonde, caramel, and vibrant colors.

8. Application Time:

• Balayage: It takes 2-4 hours to apply.
• Highlights: It takes 1-3 hours.

9. Customization:

• Balayage: High customization is possible; stylists can decide the color placement independently.
• Highlights: Only moderate customization is possible, and color is applied only in specific sections.

10. Grow-Out Effect:

• Balayage: Balayage is a smooth and natural growth process, where the color blends gradually from the roots to the ends.
• Highlights: Regrowth is quickly visible in highlights.

Balayage vs. Ombre/Sombre

• Balayage Natural, Sun-kissed Highlights: Balayage is a freehand technique where color is hand-painted on the hair’s surface, giving you a natural and sun-kissed look.
• Ombre Bold Gradient Contrast: Ombre is a dramatic two-toned effect with a gradual transition of color from the roots to the lighter ends. This style is especially for women who want a bold and eye-catching look.
• Sombre: This is a softer version of ombre with seamless color transition, giving a sophisticated look.

Types of Balayage

• Full Balayage: Color is applied to full balayage using hand painting, giving a Sun-kissed and natural look.
• Partial Balayage: Only the top and outer layers are highlighted in partial balayage, giving you a soft look.
• Face-Framing Balayage: In this, color is applied to the strands near your face, further brightening the complexion and giving you a youthful glow.
• Reverse Balayage: In reverse balayage, dark tones are applied to light hair, giving depth and richness.
• Foilayage: Foilyage uses the balayage technique with foils, which gives you a bright effect.
• Babylights Balayage: Very delicate and fine highlights are applied in Babylights, which are perfect for a natural look.
• Color Melt Balayage: In this, multiple shades are seamlessly blended, giving you a smooth color transition from the roots to the ends.
• Fantasy Balayage: In Fantasy Balayage, unconventional and vibrant colors are incorporated in the balayage technique, which gives you a bold look.

Key Considerations

Preparation & Timing

• Existing Color: If your hair is already colored, apply it directly. But if you have used box dye, you will have to wait 3-4 weeks.
• Salon Time: This technique can take 1.5 to 4 hours, depending on your hair’s length and complexity.
• Cost: The costs of Balayage depend on your salon’s location, the stylist’s expertise, and the hair’s length. Generally its cost can be around 150$ to 500$.

Hair Health & Damage

• Damage Risk: This coloring technique causes less damage to your hair than traditional foils, but remember that the ends can dry out. This will also be helpful if you use bond-repair treatments like Olaplex.
• Gray Coverage: With this, grey hair blends naturally but is not completely covered.

Maintenance & Aftercare

If you want to keep this hair color fresh and shiny for a long time, here are some well-researched tips of 2025 to keep it vibrant and healthy.

1. Do not wash hair for the first 48–72 hours: After balayage, it is important not to wash it for 2-3 days. This sets the color and closes the cuticles, which helps lock the color.
2. Use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner: You should use sulfate-free products that help prevent color fading and moisturize the hair. These products preserve the hair’s natural oils instead of being harsh.
3. Weekly Deep Conditioning Treatments: Use a deep conditioning mask or oil treatment weekly.
4. Limit Heat Styling: Use heat styling tools as little as possible. Use a heat protectant spray if necessary.
5. Protection from the Sun and chlorine: Protect your hair as much as possible from UV rays and chlorine. Wear a hat or UV-protectant spray before going out in the Sun. Rinse your hair with fresh water before swimming.
6. Regular Touch-Ups and Gloss Treatments: You should visit a salon every 3-4 months for glossing. This treatment will keep your hair color fresh.
7. Use of hair oil or serum: Try using a light oil or serum on the ends of your hair. This helps in reducing dryness and makes hair soft and manageable.
8. Use dry shampoo: If your hair gets greasy quickly, use dry shampoo.

Advanced Techniques & Trends

• Money Piece: Money piece technique adds blonde highlights to the front of the face, thereby brightening the face. It is low maintenance and grows quickly.
• Pastel Balayage: You can blend soft pastel shades like blush pink, lavender, and baby blue with balayage. This achieves a modern and playful look. This technique creates a dreamy effect.
• Express Balayage: This quick and impactful technique can be achieved in 30 minutes or less. It involves intentional foil placement and modern face frame placement. Minimal 
• Balayage: In this, you can add soft, natural highlights to create a sun-kissed effect without dramatic streaks.

How to Do Balayage at Home: Step-by-Step Guide

If you want to do balayage at home, this step-by-step guide will help you:

1. Preparation: Gather the necessary tools, like a balayage kit, gloves, clips, a mirror, and plastic wrap.
2. Sectioning: Divide hair into manageable sections for an even application.
3. Application: Using a brush, apply the lightener to selected strands. Start from mid-length to the ends.
4. Processing: Once the color is developed according to the instructions, this process should take about 20-45 minutes.
5. Rinsing & Toning: Rinse thoroughly and apply toner, if needed, to achieve your desired shade.

Conclusion

Balayage is a French colouring technique that gives a natural sun-kissed look. It is low maintenance and suitable for all hair types. It is easy to customize and adds depth through customization and blending. For this, use sulfate-free products and minimize heat styling. 

Stylist Spotlights: Interviews with certified balayage expert

Certified Balayage Color Expertise | The Grand Beauty Spa

FAQs

Does balayage suit short hair?

Of course, balayage looks great on short hair, too. This technique gives dimension and texture to short hair.

Can balayage damage curly hair?

If it is done by a professional stylist and the right products are used, balayage will not damage curly hair.

How to fix bad balayage? 

If the balayage is uneven or patchy, consult a professional colorist. He can fix your hair using toning or color correction techniques.