A step by step guide to ace the Balayage technique like a pro.
Over the years I have noticed how Balayage is the most-asked for hair colour service. Done right, it is work of art, a moment of great creative satisfaction for the stylist and joy to the client. Given the various shades and complexities to the treatment, I have put down some basic pointers to keep in mind while doing the Balayage.
Here are the primary things to bear in mind
- Have an honest consultation with the client. Get to know their history of treatments/colours done in the past and then assess basis their hair health, colour goals, and budget. Understand the lifestyle of your client -do they have a fast-paced profession or whether they have time to indulge in a grooming routine. This will help you evaluate if Balayage is indeed the right technique.
- A clean application is a must and some basic rules are:
- -The amount of product you’re applying and how much is on your brush is important. For best results saturate the brush well during application; if the brush picks up too little or too much product, it can result in a patchy look.
- -Consistency of formula- the Ideal mixing ratio needs to be respected. The product can’t be too runny to avoid staining.
- -The pressure you’re using while applying the product and the movement of your hands should be consistent and free-flowing.
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- Don’t rush the job. Take your time to perfect the transition. This will give your client a natural look without harsh lines of demarcation. The gentler the transition is, the smoother the demarcation.
- The client might need multiple sessions to achieve their goal Balayage, especially if they require more than 4 levels of lift.
- For a soft Balayage, use the right amount of product -do not push the colour deeply into the hair which results in harsh lines.
- Use fine sectioning to add brightness.
- Balayage generally requires a diagonal application, so start from the ends towards the mids, graduating softer brush strokes upwards. Start on the ends saturating maximum and feather your way up for a softer re-growth.
These tips will help you perfect your Balayage technique and give you lots of happy clients!
Sonal Bhimani, Creative Director, JCB Salons has over a decade of experience in hairdressing.