Get the Formula: Sweet Treat and Toning Tip
Hair artist Skyla Kuykendall creates lived-in color with Paul Mitchell lightener and the Demi.
New Balayage Techniques: Brochaying, Chrocheting, Combalaying and Bowlayage
(From left) Teresa Sweis, Candy Shaw, Karl SweisSweis Inc., a professional salon and spa products distributor, hosted a look-and-learn event with Candy Shaw, founder of Sunlights Balayage for hundreds of salon professionals at the Irvine Hotel ...
April 22, 2016
2 min to read
(From left) Teresa Sweis, Candy Shaw, Karl Sweis
Sweis Inc., a professional salon and spa products distributor, hosted a look-and-learn event with Candy Shaw, founder of Sunlights Balayage for hundreds of salon professionals at the Irvine Hotel in Irvine, CA. Shaw, (also known as the "Balay Lama,") created the Sunlights Professional Balayage Lightener specifically formulated for the tremendously popular balayage highlighting technique.
At the Sweis education event, Shaw showcased a series of blonde, brunette and redheaded models, and demonstrated balayage tips, tricks and techniques, including brochaying, chrocheting, combalaying and bowlayage, all unique hair painting methods to achieve seamless, sun-kissed highlights.
She explained that the art of balayaging is in the painting technique and she encourages salon professionals to perfect the brush stroke, “tap, rub and push,” and pay attention to the haircut, layering, texture, head shape and previous color. According to Shaw, once the salon professional has practiced on one mannequin and two friends, they are ready to begin balayaging clients.
Why Balayage?
From a salon-business standpoint, Shaw shares the most promising aspects of balayage for salon professionals. It is user-friendly and efficient, taking half the time of traditional highlighting services, while enabling professionals to charge a higher price for the service. This is due to the customization of the balayage technique for each individual client. Shaw calls it “painting your way to financial freedom” because professionals are “charging more and putting in less time, working smarter and not harder.”
“Our goal at Sweis is to support salon professionals with resources, products and tools that will help them grow their businesses," shares Karl Sweis, president of Sweis Inc. “We believe that Sunlights Balayage and the Balay Box of tools has the ability to make a great impact financially, professionally and creatively as salon professionals enjoy mastering the art of balayage.”
The balayage technique, meaning to sweep or paint in French, has enduring popularity and has been practiced in Paris salons for many decades. Shaw describes it as couture color, similar to a designer creating a couture dress, giving the salon professional the authority to be an artist.
Learn the techniques below:
BROCHAYING/BROSSE:
CHROCHETING:
COMB BALAYAGE:
BOWLAYAGE:
For more information on upcoming Sweis Academy educational opportunities visit SweisInc.com.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
More Color
Dimension, Then Gloss
Grethe Helen Sagmoen combines highlights, lowlights, and ArganID™ Glossing with Moroccanoil.
Get the Formula: Obsession Blonde with Teasylights
Colorist Mike Sharkey maps out a teasylight placement with Satin Hair Color SilverLift.
Get the Formula: Foxy Locks Created with Strategic Color Placement
Brooke Alexis pairs an Aquarely formula with targeted color placement and blonde accents.
Get the Formula: The Seamless Blend
Shonda Sharee shares her approach to coordinating color on natural hair and extensions.
Get the Formula: Melt Into Dimension
Stevie Meech combines lowlights, a root melt, and an all-over toner using Schwarzkopf Professional IGORA VIBRANCE.
3 Permanent Color Transitions that Rival the Fall Leaves
John Paul Mitchell Systems The Color ZERO offers effective permanent color without any of the harshness and with all of the protection. See how these artists used the line to achieve stunning, fall-inspired results.
Sponsored by John Paul Mitchell Systems
Satin Hair Color Launches Satin Sessions, Connecting Color Inspiration with Salon Technique
Satin Hair Color’s new education series debuts Expression Brunette and Obsession Blonde, with step-by-step techniques and formulas from colorist Mike Sharkey.
by Anne Moratto
From Gray Coverage to Gray Blending: Satin Hair Color on the Trend of Going Gray
Gray blending offers the best of both worlds for those stuck between wanting to lean into their grays and wanting to run from them. Satin Hair Color, known for its expertly formulated professional color, is here to provide tips and tricks for achieving the perfect gray-blending technique for your clients.
by Staff
Color Analysis: A Personalized Approach to Designing Hair Color
Using Color Analysis, a system formalized in the 1980s, these stylists create something optimized to bring out the best in their clients, while also helping them stand out with this specialty.
by Anne Moratto
10 Hair Color Challenges Every Stylist Faces and How Experts Solve Them
From tackling stubborn grays and unwanted warmth to achieving the perfect blonde, Moroccanoil Professional artists share their advice and color solutions.
Sponsored by Moroccanoil
Color Without Compromise: Blondes Shine with Goldwell LightDimensions SilkLift Strong and Colorance
Are your blondes feeling blah? Give ’em a lift with LightDimensions SilkLift Strong
Sponsored by Goldwell
ColorFest 2026: The Hair Color Formulas and Creative Techniques Everyone Will Be Talking About
Trending, fool-proof, and fantastic formulas.
4 Express Salon Add-On Services That Boost Revenue and Keep Clients Coming Back
Schwarzkopf Professional Ambassadors Carly Zanoni and Brendnetta Ashley share the express color and treatment services helping stylists deliver great results in under 30 minutes while creating new opportunities for client retention and revenue growth.
by Anne Moratto
PRAVANA Expands HydraGloss Line with Two Red-Violet Shades Inspired by the “Cherry Cola” Trend
As rich red-violet tones continue trending, the brand introduces two new demi shades designed for depth, shine, and dimensional color.
by Staff
Something Special: Amelia Fugitt's Stunning Transformations
In an industry with so many options and opportunities, we asked artists what made them niche down and select a specialty. Amelia Fugitt (@ameliahairmakeup) says choosing to focus on transformations has transformed her career.
The Rise of “Naturals”: How Foundational Shades Are Driving Salon Growth
From gray blending to glossing services, stylists are redefining low-maintenance hair color and building more consistent, profitable salon business.
by Anne Moratto