Blue balayage is a popular hair coloring technique that involves painting blue highlights onto the hair gradually and naturally. However, achieving the perfect blue balayage can be challenging, as different skin tones and hair types require different considerations. Tina Thao Ta, an experienced colorist, shares her expertise in achieving, maintaining, and customizing the blue balayage look.
Meet The Expert
Tina Thao Ta
Tina is a hair colorist with over 30 years of experience.
You can find Tina at The Room Hair Studio in Garden Grove, CA.
Achieving the Perfect Blue Balayage for Your Skin Tone
When it comes to blue balayage and major skin tones, you must consider which skin tone category you fall into – cool, warm, or neutral. Cool skin tones have pink, red, or blue undertones, while warm skin tones have yellow, peach, or golden undertones. Neutral skin tones have a mix of both warm and cool undertones. Tina Thao Ta advises that lighter shades of blue such as pastel or icy blue, can be especially flattering for cool skin tones. For warm skin tones, blue balayage with warm undertones, such as turquoise or teal, can complement the golden or peachy undertones of the skin. A wide range of blue balayage shades can work well for neutral skin tones.
Maintaining Your Blue Balayage
Maintaining a blue balayage requires extra care to keep the color vibrant and healthy. Tina Thao Ta shares some tips for aftercare and touch-ups. Using a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner is essential to maintain the vibrancy of your blue balayage, as sulfates can strip the color from your hair. Using a color-depositing shampoo or conditioner can also help keep your blue balayage looking fresh. Tina Thao Ta recommends Joico Color Balance Blue Shampoo and Conditioner, Celeb Luxury Viral Extreme Blue Colorwash, and Overtone Vibrant Blue Coloring Conditioner as great options. To prevent damage, it is essential to avoid heat-styling tools. Regular touch-ups are necessary to keep the color looking fresh, and it is crucial to protect your hair from the sun’s UV rays using a hat or UV protection spray.
Customizing Your Blue Balayage
To achieve the perfect blue balayage, having a clear and open conversation with your colorist/stylist is important to ensure that you achieve your desired look while also considering factors such as your current base color, lifestyle, cost, and maintenance. Your natural hair color and any previous color treatments can affect the final result of your blue balayage. Discuss with your stylist what your current base color is and what steps may need to be taken to get your hair ready for the blue balayage process. Consider your lifestyle when choosing a blue balayage shade. A more subtle shade of blue may be more appropriate if you have a professional job or are in a conservative environment. On the other hand, if you have a more creative job or are drawn to bold looks, a brighter shade of blue may be a better fit.