Which hair technique is right for you? It depends really. What is the overall look you are you trying to achieve? What is your hair history? What is your hair budget? And how often are you willing to come to the salon for upkeep? When working with your stylist, go over these questions and they will better be able to steer you in the right direction.
The services/techniques described below can be custom mixed and matched to achieve your overall personal hair goals:
Basics of BALAYAGE
Balayage is a technique for highlighting hair in which the lightener is painted on in such a way as to create a graduated, natural looking effect. The look created is specifically for you- custom to your individual haircut, hair style, and hair texture. Pieces of hair are strategically selected to enhance color which creates movement and in turn will make your haircut look better. The initial process is lengthy depending on the look you are trying to achieve; however overall maintenance is low. You may spend more time in the chair than if you were to have foils, but upkeep is a lot less. Just a little balayage FYI, there are 3 different types of balayage appointments that we offer. 1: Full head balayage: This is your once a year “Full Monty” service. Plan accordingly; you’ll spend most of your day with us, but what a fun place to be! 2: Half head balayage: This is a 2-3 times a year service depending on desired brightness. Everything from the crown of your head forward is painted, including your hairline and part line. 3: Face framing balayage: This is a more regularly scheduled service, again depending on your preference for brightness around the face. In our salon, a gloss and signature blowout are all included in a balayage service. Balayage creates a more natural “rooted” look. If you prefer blonde right at your roots every 6 weeks, then another technique may be better suited for you.
Fun with FOILS
Foil highlights is a technique that involves sectioning off hair, weaving strands, painting them with color or lightener, and carefully folding them in a foil. This technique results in a more symmetrical even distribution of highlights. This is a great option for a client blending grays or a client who prefers color starting from the root. Just like with balayage, we offer 3 foil appointment options: Full head foils, Half head foils, and Face framing foils. Upkeep between appointments is usually 6-8 weeks depending on hair growth and your overall desired look.
Maybe she’s born with it, maybe it’s BABYLIGHTS
Babylights are fine, subtle highlights meant to look like the natural hair color that you were born with. The stylist uses double to triple the foils per section of hair to achieve this look. It takes a lot of attention to detail and patience by a skilled colorist to get babylights just right. Plan accordingly as this technique typically takes more time than traditional highlights. This technique may also require more frequent visits to the salon.
Fundamentals of FOILYAGE
Foilyage is a technique that combines the hair painting of balayage with the color intensifying power of foils. The best candidates for foilyage are clients with darker hair who desire a lighter look that cannot be achieved through a traditional balayage application. Like with balayage, the overall maintenance of foilyage can be low depending on the current status of your hair and your overall desired look.
Please remember that these are only guidelines. Your hair growth is individual to you, and may be faster or slower than other clients. Your overall desired look also impacts your required upkeep and cost of services. If you are looking to be platinum blonde, you can’t expect to have identical services to someone looking to have a sun-kissed balayage. It’s important to have realistic expectations and to trust your stylist to determine the best technique(s) to achieve your desired look. In addition, you can never go wrong with bringing in photos. Having photos to reference will help you and your stylist be on the same page.