Balayage hair color is a popular and sought-after hair coloring technique that has been gaining attention for its natural-looking, sun-kissed results. The term “balayage” is derived from the French word “balayer,” which means “to sweep.” This technique involves hand-painting or sweeping the color onto the hair, allowing for a more customized and seamless blend of shades.
Balayage is branching out and inspiring lots of artistic highlight designs that couldn’t be more different from the vertical highlights that were the only choice for ages! Before vertical highlights appeared on Ginger Spice’s hair and took over completely, balayage highlighting was used in all hairdressing salons. Although it didn’t have a fancy French name in those days!
Why the balayage hair is so popular these days?
Here are some reasons why people love balayage hair and some popular ideas currently trending:
- Natural-looking results: Balayage creates a soft, sun-kissed appearance by adding depth and dimension to the hair. The technique allows for a seamless transition between colors, resulting in a more natural and subtle look compared to traditional highlights.
- Customizable: Since balayage is a hand-painted technique, it allows the hairstylist to tailor the color placement and intensity to each client’s specific needs and preferences. This results in a unique and personalized hair color that enhances the individual’s features and complexion.
- Low-maintenance: Balayage requires less frequent touch-ups compared to traditional highlights since the color is applied more subtly and grows out more gracefully. This makes it an ideal option for those who desire a low-maintenance hair color.
- Suitable for various hair types and lengths: Balayage works well on different hair types, textures, and lengths, including short, medium, and long hair. It can be applied to both straight and curly hair, making it a versatile coloring option.
balayage hair color is loved for its natural-looking results, customization, and low maintenance. Various popular styles can suit different hair types, lengths, and preferences, making it a versatile and trendy choice for many individuals.
You may want to know the latest popular balayage hair colors, after we interviewed more than 170 hair salons, we got the following table:
| Balayage Style | Description |
|---|---|
| Caramel Balayage | Warm-toned balayage featuring shades of caramel, honey, and light brown; adds warmth and depth to dark hair. |
| Blonde Balayage | Classic sun-kissed, beachy look with shades of blonde; can be customized with cool-toned or warm-toned blondes. |
| Chocolate Balayage | Rich, dark balayage with shades of chocolate, espresso, and mocha; adds subtle dimension and depth to dark hair. |
| Copper Balayage | Vibrant, warm balayage featuring shades of copper, auburn, and ginger; flattering on fair skin and light eyes. |
| Pastel Balayage | Bold and whimsical balayage with soft, muted shades of pastel colors like pink, lavender, or blue. |
Today’s hairstyles are more varied than ever and the only rule is: there are no rules! So take a look at these gorgeous balayage hairstyles designed to inspire your fantastic new look:
1. Long & lovely golden blonde
Flowing waves on healthy hair are one of the most attractive hairstyles you can get. This style is cut into a soft V-shape at the back with warm blonde balayage concentrated on the lower lengths. Soft waves and blonde waves frame the face in a gorgeous, natural-looking hairdo.
2. Super natural gold blonde & brown blend
Center parted long hairstyles never go out of fashion and this version with warm shades of medium-blonde and light-brown is an incredibly flattering version for anyone over 25. Medium-golden shades suit a wider range of skin-tones than cool-blonde, and golden-brown is set to be the next big thing in hair color trends!
This classic balayage style incorporates shades of blonde to create a sun-kissed, beachy look. It can be customized to include cool-toned, icy blondes or warmer, golden hues, depending on the individual’s preference.
3. Extra-long waves with edgy gray and neutral-blonde balayage
The huge waves on this model’s hair are one of the latest trends for long hair creating the deepest wave pattern ever! The soft brown color is achieved by adding beige to brunette hair and this cutting-edge hair color design uses gray and light beige-blonde balayage to reflect light from the lovely, flowing waves.
4. Cute beige-blonde with face-framing waves
Neutral-blonde shades vary from ash-blondes to soft beige-blonde and choosing the best tone for your complexion is crucial. This model’s pale skin-tone has warm undertones which look lovely with the taupe top and flattering light-beige balayage creating a softly waved face frame.
5. Gorgeous chestnut-brown waves with subtle gold-blonde
One of the reasons balayage ombré styles have become so popular is their natural look when compared to straight-line highlighting. This is a really appealing dual-blonde balayage that accentuates the lovely movement and texture of glossy waves with muted blonde.
This rich, dark balayage adds subtle dimension and depth to dark brown or black hair. It typically involves shades of chocolate, espresso, and mocha, creating a luxurious and sophisticated look.
6 Soft & natural long hair with subtle balayage ombre
Another natural look with a balayage ombre just a tone or two lighter than the light-brown top, on this long hairstyle with gorgeous, thick waves at the ends. The waves are varied in shape and direction creating extra volume and an attractive casual finish.
7 Chic new iced hair colors
Iced colors are a hot, new trend for this year and although the idea of a warm-copper-and-silver-blonde hair dye seems hard to imagine, this image showcases it perfectly! These beautifully blended copper, beige and silver-blonde shades catch the light and change constantly on a straight, casual look with curvy tips.
8 Stunning waterfall waves in contrasting colors
This unconventional combination of intense coffee-brown with medium blonde, light-brown and white balayage ombré is a fabulous new look. Long, thick hair in a cascade of waves has the density for adding several highlight colors creating a fantastic overall effect.
This warm-toned balayage features shades of caramel, honey, and light brown, adding warmth and depth to the hair. It is particularly popular among those with naturally dark or brunette hair.
9 Edgy shaggy layers with balayage
Add some shaggy style to long hair and bring it right up-to-date with long layers and uneven textured tips. This follows the trend for a band of highlighted, waved or shaggy-cut hair between a smooth top and the ends. The tips are accentuated by ash-blonde contrasting with the soft beige tones.
10 Every day long style & white-blonde balayage ombré
You don’t really need to do anything much to style this look for daily wear. It has a fashionable, dip-dye graduation from light-brown roots, through golden blonde to finish in bone-white ombre at the tips. Notice how white balayage seems to pop-out from darker colors in a 3-D effect!
11 ‘Octopus’ technique balayage in several colors
Balayage hair color ideas: Brown, silver, pale-gold and white shades makes these fabulously flowing waves gleam with a pearly finish. Using three or four balayage shades is easy now colorists have moved away from using ‘foils’. Long hair is spread out on a table behind the client and several different colors can be painted on the ‘0ctopus’ strands!
12 Dip-dye color fade in gold-blonde shades
This is a graduated ombré inspired by the bleaching effect sunshine has on long hair and how the new growth in fall and winter is darker. The effect has been exaggerated for a trendier look and the defined waves with contrasting color-depth add lots of density to long hair.
13 Easy-care brunette hairstyle with icy tones
Skin-tones with a warm undertone can wear the latest iced-brown hair colors with cool-blonde balayage for a fashionable, daily hairstyle that can be worn naturally straight or with defined waves. This gently tousled hairstyle has a V-shaped back highlighted in medium beige-blonde for a casual look.
14 Glamorous striped balayage on long hair
How many different shades are there in this fabulous highlighting design? I couldn’t say, but the overall effect on this model’s thick hair is amazing. Layer upon layer of color shading making the hair seem even thicker! Just imagine this gorgeous balayage hair arranged in an upstyle!
15 Volume-boosting wave pattern & balayage for fine hair
A mix of colors, in combination with tousled, defined waves are great ways to make fine hair look thicker, but the tapered V-shaped back in this image, makes the model’s lower lengths appear thin. Long, fine hair should have blunt-cut tips and a more-or-less same length outline, to make hair appear denser.
16 Warm medium blonde ombré on brunette waves
Along with the neutral, cool colors the golden-brown shades have made a big comeback this year. And lots of brunettes are trying out the lighter shades in warm ombré graduations that highlight the movement of loose waves and add texture.
17. Pink Pastel balayage
This warm, vibrant balayage features shades of copper, auburn, and ginger, adding a touch of spice to the hair. It is especially flattering on those with fair skin and green or blue eyes.
