what is balayage hair

Balayage is a hair coloring technique that involves free-hand painting highlights onto the hair, creating a soft and natural gradation of lightness towards the ends. The word "balayage" comes from the French word "sweeping," as the technique involves sweeping on a hair lightener to create highlights. Balayage is not meant to appear dramatic or intense, but rather to deliver natural, youthful hair with imperceptible highlights and beautiful dimension. The technique is done without using foil, and the dye or lightener is usually painted on starting mid-shaft and becoming denser as it moves down the section of hair to the ends. Balayage is often compared to traditional highlights, but it is a softer, more natural-looking result than foil highlights. The technique is used on all shades of hair to add soft, sun-kissed dimension.