The latest trend on the lips of hairdressers and the style-conscious alike is balayage, and the freehand, artisan highlights have become the perfect remedy for people who want a vibrant look with a natural, multi-dimensional finish and no stress.
The concept is not entirely new; Mirriam-Webster claims that Balayage (from the French word for “sweeping”) originated in France in the 1970s.
The name comes from the way it is applied; instead of using foil, artistic hair stylists apply the highlight colour freehand. This leads to a far less uniform, less consistent look, which is either its biggest strength or biggest weakness depending on what you look for in a hairstyle.
This freehand look means that the colour blends in much more naturally, providing a sun-kissed hairstyle rather than a clear contrast divide between highlights and natural shades.
A more natural look makes it far more compatible with a range of hairstyles, from elaborate salon looks to messy buns, bangs and sweeps. It is a type of highlight that is subtle enough to enhance a natural look, and it has naturally become a celebrity favourite in recent years.
Given that it started in the 1970s, an era that embraced a lot of hyper-natural hairstyles, with long, low-maintenance looks being particularly popular, this makes sense, although balayage can be used with all types of hair styles, lengths and colours.
It also avoids the need to touch up roots that can happen with more conventional highlights or dyes, which also means you can wait longer between hair appointments and more time for the hair to recover between treatments.
It is a graceful style, one that ends up in fashion when people opt for a more personalised, less uniform look or want to make an impact without committing to a significant highlight or hair dye.
Where it will go from here is uncertain, but great balayage is the hallmark of a skilled hairdresser and will remain in the repertoire of the best.
