Balayage is a hair coloring technique which is designed to create very natural-looking highlights which grow out without developing a noticeable and obvious root.

Many stars and models use Balayage on their hair, and in response to popular demand, many salons offer Balayage, especially in urban areas.

This coloring technique emerged in Paris in the 1970s and enjoyed a strong run in the urban areas of the US in the early 1980s and again in the late 1990s. The word "Balayage" is French for "to sweep," a reference to the way in which the color is applied.

The practitioners of Balayage use this sweeping motion to apply lightener in slants, V's or single slices from thin at the roots to thicker and heavier towards the ends.

The result is a chunky highlight or lowlight which looks naturally sunbleached or weathered, and as the hair grows out, the root will be concealed for the first few months by the thinner color applied to the base of the hair.

Obviously, the technique would be insufficient for those clients who wish the color to be as close to the scalp as possible. The soft effect of this technique must be carefully explained to the clients to avoid misunderstanding related to coverage.

Performing Balayage is time consuming, and requires a steady hand, but many people feel that the end result is worth it.

Unlike foiled highlights, which look very uniform and can be a touch artificial in appearance, hair which has been subjected to Balayage can look natural and weathered by an active lifestyle. The highlights can be subtle or more intense and balayge can be a perfect technique for brunette and red hair, as well as the blondes.

The last several times this technique was popular in salons, it was quickly dropped because of the imprecise tools in circulation and poor training the industry received.

Now, better tools, Balayage schools and online videos help keep the techniques crisp. Also, fashion is moving away from too-obvious bleached-out chunked hair coloring and is drifting to more natural and lower-maintenance looks.

Balayage can be a good tool to achieve both results.

Article by: Edward Paul - Capelli d'Oro ©2010