@hairbyamybee
@hairbyamybee

Having the right tools to blend balayage seamlessly is vital to a successful service. Colorado-based colorist Amy Baugh shares her tips and tricks for success regularly on her @hairbyamybee Instagram page. Recently, Baugh tackled the topic of blending balayage.

"When balayaging, it’s important where on the section you start your painting," she says. "If you start too high, then it can be hard to create a good transition area/blur because there can be too much product, which can either create a not-so-blendy result or make you bring your section up higher than you’d want to correct the blur. If you start too low, though, you won’t have as much control over the section as you need. This is why I always start in the middle and work my way up." 

Once she's finished the transition area, Baugh focuses on pulling product through the ends. She says perfect dimension is achieved through a combination of technique and the right products. When balayaging, Baugh uses the 2-inch chop brush from Product Club to load lightener through back sections. 

Available in 2- and 3-inch widths, the brushes can handle a heavier saturation, thanks to bristles that are thick and synthetic to help speed application time.

"I tend to be a slower painter, so I love how this brush is made from soft, synthetic bristles that never disintegrate or wear out regardless of how long my application takes me," Baugh says. "It remains in perfect condition regardless of how many times it’s used!"

Here, Baugh demonstrates her blurring technique using the chip brush:

In addition to the chip brushes, Baugh says Product Club's gloves and new Color Mixer have changed how she paints hair.

"One of the things I’ve been obsessing over lately is their jet black gloves with the extra long cuffs," she says. "With specializing in balayage, I am always putting my lightener on the back of my hand to paint, and these gloves are perfect because they are durable, they don’t slide down my hand and the extra long cuff protects my skin and jewelry."

The Color Mixer is the solution to clumpy lightener. It takes color or lightener and mixes mixes it to a creamy consistency. It’s also designed to control dust while mixing and eliminates breathing in fumes and splattering.

"It's the only tool I’ve found that eliminates the bleach dust cloud when mixing my balayage lightener," Baugh says. "It makes my lightener as smooth as butter."

 Read how artist Carla Massimo @carla.jean.styles uses these tools to step up her game here

Think you know balayage? Think again. Read our guide to the technique to become the ultimate expert.

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