Balayage, Ombre and Sombre

The name Balayage is often considered the culminating technique for everything highlights, but there are other terms that are actually in the same family but independent in nature. For instance, Ombre’s are an edgier version of Balayage with a more defined transition of dark hair to light. Sombre’s alternatively offering a softer sun splashed transition of darker hair to light with the tips only slightly lighter than the base with a smoother transition from roots to the ends.

With so many variations in style and application techniques, it is no surprise that highlights continue to surge in popularity. However, Women who color their hair at home tend to avoid attempting highlights because there aren’t really a lot of Salon quality products for the general public to use. This leaves most women to choose between making the expensive trip to the salon for highlights or attempting it at home with mixed results. In general, even once the application is complete its important to understand how to care for newly created Balayage. Though now a days, there is a lot more information in the form of videos and step by step tutorials online. It’s also a challenge understanding how to achieve those perfect tones you are after without an expert hairstylist present.

CREATING DIFFERENT TONES WITHIN THE SAME OVERALL COLOR

  

Brunette and Red heads are no longer confined to remain Brunettes and Red Heads. Simply adding a splash of, copper, mahogany, and violet tones can create richer shades of hair color. All you need to do to achieve a multi-tonal palette is select one tone as your base color, and another tone to create the variation. Here is a sample of what we mean:

·         Someone with a base color of medium brown can add mahogany or auburn tones for variation.

·         First you use your base hair color to touch up your roots. Then, taking small sections of hair you literally begin painting your color choices onto those select small sections, it’s important to paint right up to the area where the root color ends.

·         Using color tint brush you can begin alternating the painting of the two colors on the areas of hair that you choose.

·         Then wait at least 35 for the color to process before shampooing out as normal.

Now, what about going the other direction?

If you have Dark blonde to medium brown treated hair and you want to accentuate with slightly darker tones you need your color of choice, foil and of course, your bowl and brush. The process is call adding lowlights. Lowlights provide enviable depth and dimension to your hair. You can even add variations by using a slightly different tone as a lowlight color. This can even be one to two levels darker than your primary shade. Here is how we would do this:

·         If you have red hair, you can enhance your original color by choosing another color one or even two shades darker. Start by choosing small sections of hair where you want to add depth and dimension and using your foil, line the bottom of these small sections of hair. This provides a work space for you to apply your color. Then, with gloves on your hands and starting a few inches away from your face you can begin to apply. This distance from your face allows the lighter colors to stay nearest to your skin for a much more appealing natural look.

·         It’s a good idea once you’ve completed painting on the lowlights to close up your foils to prevent the color from getting on the rest of your hair.

·         Once done, you should allow at least 35 minutes to fully process before shampooing out as normal. It is also generally best to remove the foils last right before you’re ready to shampoo. This will prevent the treated hair resting against the untreated hair for too long.

Are you ready? 

If you are attempting to add highlights, lowlights or a new tone for the first time, we recommend that you start with only three or four pieces until you feel comfortable with the application process. From there you can basically step and repeat if you achieve the color you are looking. If you’re feeling a little uneasy you can even apply under the front crown of your hair for a less recognizable look Whether it be lowlights, highlights or all-over color, the key is to have fun with it. If you simply feel its better off left in the hands of a professional stylist, we are here to help. Our fantastic team of licensed Balayage professionals are here to help you achieve that beautiful Balayage you’ve always wanted.