Balayage is a common hair styling term these days. Meaning ‘to sweep’ in French, the technique sees highlights painted or ‘swept’ across the surface of the hair in seemingly random strokes, creating an aesthetically intriguing, natural look which is considered more subtle than traditional highlights.
These styling treatments make your hair look beautiful, sure, but they can also lead to your locks feeling more sensitive, running the risk of irreparably damaging the hair when in the wrong hands.
Yours, though, we have to assume is in the right ones, so here are some simple things that you can do to protect your balayage hair.
Use Toning Shampoo
The colour of our hair dries away as we wash it. Because blonde hair tints are often sheer, demi-permanent, they fade particularly quickly. Therefore, it’s really important to utilise toning shampoos and conditioners at home, as they help reintroduce a tiny amount of pigment to your hair.
Experts recommend using a blue or purple toning shampoo or conditioner to counterbalance the warmth if you notice that your balayage is becoming ‘brassy’ or warm-toned. For copper, red, or chocolate brown balayage, you can also use coloured shampoos and conditioners.
Focus On Hair-Quality
Maintaining good hair health will help your hair retain more of the salon toner while also giving it additional shine and softness. More of the hair colour is sealed in when the cuticles of the hair strands are healthy and resilient. When you get your balayage refreshed in the future, this will also help avoid harm to freshly applied hair colour, too.
Renew The Money Piece On And Off
The ‘money piece’ was a major hair trend of last year (started by none other than Beyonce, naturally), and simply refers to ‘’a bright frame around the front hairline personalised after foiling or lightening’’, as Elle explains.
This innovative though simple application aims to brighten the skin in a way that flatters the face. It’s usually the section of the balayage that grows out the most noticeably because it’s front-facing forward, and positioned close to the hairline.
Consider scheduling an appointment with your stylist in between colour appointments to add a few highlights around the hairline to freshen up the overall look of your money piece rather than re-doing the entire balayage. This will prolong the vibrant, fresh appearance of your balayage without having to undergo a more comprehensive treatment.
Moisturise Your Hair
A thorough moisturising treatment done weekly will guarantee that your colour remains radiant and glossy.
Many beauticians and hair stylists recommend applying pure oil. To prepare the cuticle, rinse your hair with hot water before applying the oil and waiting with it wrapped in plastic. Your hair will become more hydrated the longer you wait – more often than not a good thing, though do exercise a little caution here.
Although it appears to be a potentially antiquated technique, it works. Remove the plastic wrap once you’ve waited as long as you can, then go into the shower to wash and condition your hair. To ensure that all of the oil is removed and to prevent your hair from looking greasy, you might need to wash it twice. Your balayage will continue to look good thanks to the additional moisture.
Read: The only guide you need to maintain beautiful and healthy hair
Avoid Washing Every Day
Your hair loses its natural oils when you wash it, dulling your balayage’s colour. Reduce your washing frequency to two to three times a week and, if necessary, use a dry shampoo in between. Your colour will last longer if you do this, which is why you came here in the first place, right?
And with that level of expertise under your belt, you’re well on your way to achieving salon worthy hair at home. What a difference an article makes!