Sal Marchese of Salon Marsal (salonmarsal.com) shares his tips and techniques for baliage, a technique where a colorist uses a brush to paint a thick mixture of lightener onto a section of hair in one of three paint designs.  These designs-singles, slants, V and W use a "sweeping" motion to apply lightener from thin at roots to thicker towards the end.

Finished Looks.

Before.

Step 1: "First, I section the head into four sections," says Marchese. "Then I begin at the bottom of the back hairline for row one, painting singles, ensuring that I work from ear to ear."

Step 2: "For rows two and three I paint slants.  Following into the crown, when painting rows four, five, and six, I paint Vs and Ws."

Step 3: "Moving to the sides of the heads, for rows one and two I paint slants and Vs and Ws on row three."

Step 4: "When painting around the front hairline, I will paint singles or doubles depending on the look the guest is trying to achieve."

My recommendations for the tools I use are: mixing bowl, paddle, color brush, talc powder, clips and Eugene Perma Compacte Bleach, which can only be purchased through TruBeauty Concept out of Pennsylvania(888-371-5040).

Sal Marchese travels throughout the United States teaching the baliage technique. To inquire about these classes, visit the salonmarsal.com or via e-mail at salonmarsal@verizon.net.