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Not All Balayage Is Created Equal
While clients can still confuse balayage and ombre, fall is the perfect time to educate them on these warmer tones.
October 8, 2019
@laurak_beauty
2 min to read
Over at HairHoncho, their mission is to improve the life of a hairstylist, from helping them with time management to book keeping to appointment-setting. They also create stylist-centric content that includes trend reports like this collab between HairHoncho’s Kina Guyton and Laura Khesin at Ivy Hair Loft, a full service hair salon in Arlington, MA, just outside of Boston, specializing in balayage. Together, they talk about balayage and ombre and that (say it together, now), one is a technique and one is a look.
“Laura Khesin describes balayage as a process that paints the surface of the hair,” Guyton says. “Be mindful: not all balayage is the same so while your clients might come with some hair inspiration, it’s important that they know that all balayage isn’t created equally. With the process, you can lift the color 1-5 levels and after that, it’s a matter of what color your client is going for. Your clients wouldn’t be able to go from deep brown hair to bleach blonde, but the balayage technique is all about adding some dimension to their hair.
“While balayage is a technique, ombré is a look. With a gradient effect, you’ll see this style starting off with darker roots and moving down to a lighter or more saturated color. Keeping fall colors in mind, you might have a brunette client ask for a cinnamon or copper toned ombré look. Whether it’s performing balayage or creating an ombré gradient, your clients will be sure to ask for these popular fall color trends.”
TOP TIPS from Laura Khesin @laurak_beauty
How to Charge: Factor in hair color, hair texture, and how they wear their hair. When comparing balayage to traditional foils, Laura thinks they should be priced similarly. Instead of focusing on the process, she recommends pricing based on the customization of the color.
How to Maintain:
1. Wash less! Instead, replace a wash with Shea Moisture Apple Cider Vinegar with Citrus Mint or dpHUE: Apple Cider Vinegar rinse.
2. Reduce their use of hairspray. The alcohol content can cause the colors to fade and become dull.
3. Use less heat on hair. You might have some clients straighten or curl their hair everyday. While they should aim to use as little heat as possible, turning the temperature down a few degrees on their hot tools can help protect the color.
4. Suggest they come back every 6-8 weeks for a glaze. Whether they’re looking to refresh, deepen, or add warmth to their hair, a glaze can do it all.
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