Balayage highlights is a free-hand technique to highlight hair for a more natural look. The word balayage comes from the French term “to sweep” and perfectly describes how the highlight color is applied to the hair.
Fashioned by nearly all celebrities, highlights are the easiest way to brighten up your hair. Rather than the normal foil-in-hair technique, the ultimate goal is to create that flawless transition of impeccable hues that give a candid, sun-kissed look.
A seamless transition can easily be created on lengthy manes, but it also works for any hair length and texture. Go for subtle accents that are a tad lighter than your hair color for a more natural finish to vibrant browns and blondes. Be sure to pick a blend that suits you best.
No need for high-maintenance touch-ups. This dye job creates a very natural grow-out that lets you enjoy new hair without fuss. Just remember to use color-safe products that will make you enjoy your color much longer!
Before your next hair appointment, try this trendy coloring technique and check out these photos of popular balayage highlights!
#1: Long Choppy Layers and Brown Balayage
Long choppy layers and brown balayage create the supermodel chic look. If a soft highlight look on brunette hair is what you’re looking for, balayage is a great option. Balayage mimics how the sun would lighten the hair, in turn, looking very natural. Choppy layers will help support a wavy look, whether natural waves or iron waves.
#2: Sun-Kissed Balayage Highlights on Brown Hair
These sun-kissed balayage highlights look their best on brunette hair and are easily achievable with an expert balayage specialist. Going dark to light with these lived-in highlights requires purple shampoo to maintain its fresh hue.
#3: Dirty Blonde Balayage Highlights on Curly Hair
Embrace your curls, and upgrade them with a balayage technique to create this dirty blonde hair! Effortlessly sport volume and character when you free your beautiful natural locks.
#4: Partial Balayage with Highlights
A partial balayage with highlights is perfect for brunettes wanting a sun-kissed look. The balayage hair color is placed perfectly around the face and partline while the highlights are fine to create the illusion of naturally lightened hair.
#5: Dark and Rich Chocolate Balayage for Women Over 50
A dark and rich chocolate balayage for women over 50 is a smart choice when you’re wanting more dimensions for your black hair. Adding a subtle balayage will make the color pop! This is a perfect low-maintenance color to try.
#6: Auburn with Amber Highlights for Older Women
Auburn with amber highlights for older women brightens up the skin tone that gives a glow to paler skin tones. As we age, our skin becomes more sallow, so adding warmth back by adding brightening tones like Amber and auburn sit well against your complexion. The balance of two dimensions of color also gives more depth back to the hair giving a fuller feel.
#7: Golden Peach Balayage for Women Over 60
A golden peach balayage for women over 60 is a wise choice. It can be very youthful for women with a more golden complexion golden blondes can be modified to suit your skin tone. A balayage is a technique achieved by skillfully hand-painting color directly onto the hair. This creates a more natural, blended, sun-kissed color.
#8: Rainbow Balayage Hair
A rainbow balayage hair coloring consists of multiple colors and can range from pastel to brights. The multiple colors create beautiful dimensions and take precise placement, so find a balayage specialist.
#9: Light Blonde Balayage on Red Hair
Feel both edgy and dreamy with pops of color from a red balayage on long, delicate layers. The balayage ends are what give the red hair a soft color melt effect. This hairstyle looks especially magical when paired with graceful braids!
#10: Bronde Balayage on Long Black Hair
Bronde balayage hair ideas are true eye-catchers! Long wavy hair with the right colors of highlights balayage would make anyone stand out – whether it be in a formal event or in the beach.
#11: Golden Balayage on Brunette Hair
Let go of the traditional highlights, and ask for golden balayage pieces instead, because, let’s face it, dark hair shouldn’t be boring. Add a handful of warm caramel streaks for new dimensions and the face-frame highlights—you will be sure to have that glowing effect on your beautiful face!
#12: Rose Gold Balayage Highlights
Rose gold balayage highlights have become super trendy because of the unique shade that is created that can complement many base colors. Cotton candy or a pastel pink balayage plus textured waves are super cute and perky! With a spray-on hold and a few flicks of a brush, go have fun with this adventurous dark to pastel pink hair transition.
#13: Light Blonde and Chocolate Brown Balayage
Light blonde and chocolate brown balayage hair make a sexy date night look, which looks edgy but sweet. These ash bronde highlights on balayage hair look stunning with a middle part and huge loose curls, creating a more casual yet put-together style.
#14: Balayage on Dark Hair with Purple Highlights
Intensify your lengthy mane with a purple balayage and some sexy soft waves towards the tips. This two-toned balayage style is perfect for an everyday rocker look!
#15: Caramel Balayage on Brown Hair Color
Show off those fab beach waves with sweet honey accents and a caramel balayage that add body and dimension to your brown hair. Shades like this look stunning on any hairstyle, whether it’s wavy or straight.
#16: Subtle Balayage with Cool Brown Highlights
Rock a subtle balayage with cool brown highlights if you’re wanting to see a bit of dimension to your locks. Stylist Lauren Grummel of New York used the teasy light foil application to get the look.
Balayage works for most women, Grummel claims. Her biggest recommendation? “A good shampoo and conditioner. These will help to keep your color fresher and longer. As well as to nourish your hair,” she adds.
#17: Subtle Face-Framing Balayage on Dark Hair
Face-framing balayage highlights are a low-maintenance way to brighten up your hair while spending minimal time at the salon.
It’s good for the woman who doesn’t like to sit through hours of foils and/or balayage but still wants that nice sun-kissed blonde highlights. The greatest thing about this look is how much more dimension it can give you. This is such a good example of the phrase ‘less is more’ because those couple of brighter money pieces around your face can really bring out a nice contrast of color.
Such hair color ideas are flattering on most women just because you can really fine-tune the tones to each individual. You can adjust the tone, level of blonde (or brunette), and placement.
#18: Copper and Strawberry Blonde Balayage Highlighting on a Dark Root
This look features a subtle natural sun-kissed dimensional strawberry copper balayage highlights. It was created by hairstylist Crystal Jasmine of Chicago, IL. “I freehand-painted pieces of the hair that I really wanted to pop when the light hits it, but still, have that natural sun-kissed effect,” explains Jasmine.
It’s very low-maintenance while it gives that hair a subtle dimension it needs. Balayage is great for the low-maintenance gal that wants to dimension in their hair but no root outgrowth right away.
“All women are a candidate for highlights – it’s just finding the right shade for your skin tone,” she adds. “Easy to keep up with or just let it grow out there’s no commitment that’s what makes it so fun!”
#19: Ash Blonde Highlights on Light Brown Hair
These softer balayage highlights were created by hairstylist Courtney Rollo of Windsor, ON.
“Because the model’s base color was already a cooler brunette tone, these ashy blended balayage highlights complement her natural color,” explains Rollo. “To go with the edgy ash tones, we did a fun textured angled bob and finished the look with effortless messy beach waves.”
These styles can be very versatile since they allow for more time in between appointments and therefore less maintenance. They would allow your natural roots to grow out. Best suited for finer hair, Rollo believes the cut can be worn sleek and straight to show off the edgy concave shape, or wavy to accentuate the volume that can be created from having this type of cut.
#20: Blonde Highlighting on Brown Hair
This classy ash blonde balayage color was created by stylist Dorene Camarena of Tuscon, AZ.
“My favorite thing about this look is that it’s fun, simple, and not a lot of maintenance. It will grow out beautifully and natural-looking,” she notes.
This color and cut are great for women with naturally fine hair texture, who don’t do a lot with their hair and are seeking a new look that will look good straight or curly to enhance their natural hair.
#21: Ash Brown Hair with Honey Balayage Highlights
“The most beautiful thing about this balayage hair is its color. These honey tones really compliment the natural base color,” says master stylist Lex Olson of New Jersey.
“Balayage highlights are the perfect introduction to women who have never had color before and want to try something new,” explains Olson. “For example, this guest came in with a full head of gorgeous natural hair! Balayage is the perfect introduction to first-time color clients. With the right at-home regime, these looks are low-maintenance. Techniques that lighten like balayage can drastically improve hair color.”
#22: Caramel Highlights on Dark Brown Hair
Stylist and colorist Nicole decided on this caramel highlights balayage with a light roasted color on dark brown hair and did not disappoint. The coloring done highlights darker hair and a fine density for a soft look.
#23: Balayage Rose Gold for Long Hair
When choosing a color for a new summer style, consider a balayage rose gold hue for long hair. With long hair, your color specialist can hand-paint lightener and tone with rose gold to give your hair a lighter look. Add some loose curls for extra body and movement to show off your new color!
#24: Electric Blue Balayage Hair
Shock your friends with something exciting like electric blue balayage hair. Balayage, as opposed to ombre, is hand painted lightener to give a more organic growth period from the roots. You’ll want your color specialist to be an expert in getting the right hues and toning to set this color off. Ask your stylist to send you home with Olaplex number 3 to maintain your hair’s strength while taking on such color intensity.
#25: Light Balayage Brown Hair
Try light balayage on brown hair if you’re looking for a pop of color with a seamless root blend. Keeping the sections thin allows the balayage to be sprinkled in, which creates a beautiful dimension against the natural brown canvas. Use a 1.25-inch curling iron, starting a few inches off the root for loose beach waves.