Balayage, which in French means "to sweep," refers to a hair coloring technique that creates a streak of color that gradually lightens over the base hair color. This technique is similar to ombre coloring, but a little more subtle.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Before You Begin: Choosing Hair Dye=
Step 1. Choose dark, medium, and light hair dyes
To get this style at home, you will need three different boxes of hair dye: a dark color, a medium color, and a light color.
- The dark color should be a shade or two lighter than your natural hair color. This will be used to color the roots of your hair.
- Medium color hair dye should be two shades lighter than dark hair dye. You will use it to create an ombre effect on the ends of your hair.
- Light hair dye should be 2 shades lighter than medium dye. In some cases, hair bleach is a good choice. This color will be used to add highlights that are known from the balayage hairstyle.
Step 2. Choose the right developer cream
Most hair coloring kits come with a developer cream. However, if you have to buy separately, choose one with a 20 percent concentration.
Avoid developer cream with a concentration of 30 percent to 50 percent. This is a professional-grade developer cream, and if used improperly, can cause severe damage to your hair
Part 2 of 4: Part One: Hair Tips
Step 1. Tie your hair in half
Part your hair in the middle and tie it into two ponytails on the sides of your head.
- Tie them both above your ears.
- You will be coloring the hair under the hair tie at this stage, but the hair above the hair tie will not be touched.
Step 2. Loosen your hair
Gently pull the hair above the hair tie to loosen a few strands of hair. Continue to create looser hair ties.
- If you color your ponytail neatly and evenly, you will have a clear line separating the dark and light hair colors. Loosening your hair tie before dyeing it will prevent this from happening, giving a more natural result.
- You'll want to pull a section of hair that's at least 1 inch thick at the front of each ponytail. These two parts will frame your face.
Step 3. Mix in medium dye
Mix the hair dye with the developer cream according to the directions on the package of your hair dye.
- This process may vary depending on what product you are using, so you should read and follow the instructions on the packaging.
- Usually, you should mix equal parts dye and developer together in a single-use container. Mix the dye with the brush until evenly mixed.
Step 4. Apply the dye to the loosened hair
Apply the medium dye to the hair using gloves.
- You'll need to apply the dye to any hair that comes off the ends of your hair tie.
- Also apply to both sections of hair that frame your face. Start at the bone of the nose and paint this part all the way to the tip.
Step 5. Wait
Allow the dye to stick to your hair as directed on the package, then rinse with lukewarm water.
- The time may vary depending on the dye you use, but you will be waiting about 45 minutes.
- After you've rinsed off the dye, you'll need to give your hair a rest by waiting a few days before moving on to the next step.
Part 3 of 4: Part Two: Hair Roots
Step 1. Part the bottom of your hair
Use a comb to divide the lower layers of your hair. Tie the rest above your head so you don't get in the way.
- In this step, you'll be dyeing the rest of your hair in its original color to give it a natural, happy color.
- If the transition between your medium hair color and your natural hair looks natural enough, you can skip this section and move on to the final part of the process.
Step 2. Prepare the dark hair dye
Using a clean hairbrush, mix the hair dye and developer cream in a single-use plastic container until thoroughly combined.
- Follow the directions on the packaging carefully.
- Although the instructions will vary with each dye, you will usually need to mix equal amounts of dye and developer together.
Step 3. Color the roots of your hair
Dip the brush in the dark hair dye and carefully apply the dye to the roots of your hair.
- Apply hair dye only on the lower part of the hair that is loose.
- Color from the roots to the start of a medium hair color. You can layer it a little, but don't cover it too much.
Step 4. Remove the rest of the hair
Gently untie the hair on top of your head and untwist the rest of the hair.
Tie the remaining layer of hair back to the top of your head
Step 5. Color the roots of this section of hair
As before, color the naturally colored hair roots in this section with the prepared dark hair dye.
- Color from the roots down to the lightened sections of hair.
- Make sure you dye the hair roots around your face as well.
Step 6. Repeat as many times as needed
Continue rolling and coloring the layers of hair in the same way, applying dark hair dye only to the roots of the naturally colored hair in each layer.
- Repeat this step until you reach the center of your hair,
- When you're done, the hair all over your scalp will be full of hair dye, but the previously colored sections will remain dry.
Step 7. Wait
Leave the dye on your hair for as long as recommended on the package. Rinse with lukewarm water when finished.
- You will wait for 45 minutes. However, this time will vary depending on the dye used.
- Once the dye has been rinsed off, you'll need to wait a few days before moving on to the final stages of working. This will rest your hair and reduce the risk of hair breakage.
Part 4 of 4: Part Three: Highlights
Step 1. Part your hair into sections
Part your hair in the middle, then separate each side into four or five sections.
- Use a comb to divide the hair evenly from your forehead to the nape of your neck.
- The number of sections may vary depending on the thickness of your hair, but each section will be about 5 cm thick. Separate it by tying each part into small pigtails.
Step 2. Shuffle and separate the first part
Untie the hair from the top ponytail on the sides of your hair. Tousle the hair in this section using the tail of your comb or brush.
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The easiest way to do this is to weave the tail of the comb through the hair in a zigzag shape.
If you can't zigzag through the hair, twist the section and slightly ruffle the section of hair from the twist by combing it upwards with the teeth of a comb
Step 3. Separate the two halves of your first division
After ruffling the first section of hair, you will have two different sections of hair. One will be colored and the other will be left.
- Tie the top of your hair into a bun or tie it behind your head. This section will not be touched.
- Tie loose hair into a ponytail toward the front of your head. Keep the ponytail high and close to your scalp. This section will be colored with a light dye.
Step 4. Repeat for the rest of the sections
Separate the rest of the ponytail into two parts using the same method for the first ponytail.
- Leave the bottom of the ponytail on the side of your head. These two pigtails are two parts that you should never twist and separate.
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When you're done, you'll have six to eight buns behind your head, depending on how many sections you made when you started. These buns will be left.
You'll have eight to ten ponytails on the front of your head, depending on how many sections you made when you started. These pigtails will be re-colored at this stage
Step 5. Mix in the light dye
Following the directions on the package, mix the light coloring and developer cream.
The instructions will vary depending on the dye you're using, but in general, you'll be mixing equal amounts of dye and developer until evenly distributed. Use clean brushes in single-use plastic containers
Step 6. Apply dye to each ponytail
Use gloves to spread the dye on each ponytail. Layer all the strands of hair in a ponytail until evenly distributed.
- For a softer highlight look, try dyeing only two-thirds of the hair downwards in each ponytail.
- Do not dye hair that is tied into a bun. The buns should remain dry and untouched at this stage.
Step 7. Wait and rinse
Let the dye sit for about 45 minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water.
- Follow the packaging recommendations regarding waiting times. Maybe 45 minutes and maybe not.
- After rinsing off the dye, wash your hair with shampoo for colored hair and apply conditioner for colored hair. Dry your hair as usual.
Step 8. Check the final result
At this point, all the work is done and you're ready to show it off.
Tips
- If your natural hair color is light enough, you don't need to dye your roots. Just choose a medium hair color that is two shades lighter than your natural hair color and a light hair color that is two shades lighter than a medium hair color.
- Protect your skin by applying a coat of Vaseline to your hairline, ears, and neck before dyeing your hair. This will make it easier for you to rinse the excess dye off your skin when the dyeing process is complete.
