3D balayage is the genius technique that makes hair look thicker and longer
We've road-tested mallen streaks, trialled halo lights, and flirted for a little while with textural highlights. Now that summer is firmly in our sights, there's a hot new sunkissed hair trend taking salons by storm: 3D balayage.
According to celebrity and associate colourist at Josh Wood Colour, Jason Hogan, the visual colouring technique, which involves lightly sweeping sections of hair with colour to create light and shade, has resurfaced once more as the ultimate summer hair update.
This time around though, the ever-popular hair trend has been reinventing itself by way of new colour combinations and application techniques.
"Over the past few years, colour houses have realised that the trend for this lived-in colour is not going away," Jason explains. "This season, there are a greater spectrum of techniques designed specifically for freehand work, meaning more education around balayage".
Below, Jason breaks down everything you know about the trend, and how to recreate the look just in time for summer.
Instagram content
What's behind the trend?
About 70% of my clients have a freehand technique look – it’s certainly very popular! However, with balayage being such a buzzword, it can sometimes lead to clients misunderstanding the process. Balayage has become known for the look rather than the technique, which leads to people bringing in photos of what they perceive to be balayage. In reality, there's actually a lot of foil work.
What's the technique?
As balayage is a freehand technique, the colourist can place colour in appropriate areas of the hair to hep frame a client’s face and create more of an illusion of movement and depth.
It takes an experienced colourist to work with your type, texture, style and cut to place the colour accordingly. It’s a couture colour, so it isn’t ‘one size fits all’ in any way.
The new 3D technique almost mimics how hair would naturally lighten in the sun. By contrasting a lighter and darker colour throughout the hair helps to create a softer blend and gradient effect, leaving the client with thicker and fuller looking hair.
How can I achieve the look?
Firstly, never try to balayage your own hair. Go and see your colourist, because there are some things that can’t be recreated at home, and 3D Balayage is one of them.
You should start on a ‘less is more’ basis if you have previously uncoloured hair. Start lightly with two softer colours, as you can easily build up balayage. It’s great for you to take the hair on a journey to customise it, and by adding 3D balayage in stages, you can make it really bespoke to the client, and encourage good hair health.
I’d definitely recommend taking some images of balayage that you like along to a consultation with your colourist, who can then properly inform you of the technique involved, and how long it would realistically take to bring your hair to that level, without compromising its health.
Scroll down for all the trending hair colour ideas RN...
@besceneReverse ombre
Coined by hair colourist and stylist Linh Phan, reverse ombre hair is set to be big for summer.
@amandaleehairBiscuit brunette
Hailey Beiber is rocking the toned-down look created by hair colourist Amanda Lee. We're calling it the biscuit brunette.
@danielmbeautyRing-lighting
This flattering new trend involves highlighting the front section of hair to provide a ring-lit effect and frame the face.
@etchersalonPeekaboo hair
Keep everyone guessing with one of the biggest hair colour trends of the past year - peekaboo hair.
Anya Taylor Joy's warm copper shade in Netflix series The Queen's Gambit is giving us serious hair colour goals for when lockdown lifts.
@dualipa / InstagramWarm mocha
After asking fans "should I bring her back?" against a throwback picture of her natural chocolate coloured hair, Dua swapped out her home-dyed red hair for a warm mocha.
@khloekardashian / InstagramWalnut brown
Khloe traded in the platinum strands she's been digging for the past year for a deeper walnut colour that's much closer to her natural shade.
@dualipa / InstagramCandy floss pink
Dua Lipa looks pretty in pink with her candy floss hair. Tempted to emulate her? Read our guide.
@mareksyriste / InstagramAmber Slate hair
A mixture of warm (think strawberry blonde) and cool (think ice blonde) tones creates 'Amber Slate' – a modern take on the classic honey blonde.
@hairbyntash / InstagramOpal hair
Pearlescent shades with super-reflective shine are always a good idea. If you're not up for the rainbow version, this harmony of grey and cool-toned blonde is just as beautiful.
Metallic peach hair
This peachy, metallic hair colour puts the 'Living' into 'Living Coral'. Created by Cambridge Hair Collective, the highlights woven between brights takes us back to the rose gold hair trend.
@omgartistry / InstagramBlonde roast hair
If you're a brunette hoping to add a splash of blonde to your colour or a blonde hoping to tone down, blonde roast is the ideal way to do it. The new colour trend seamlessly combines shades of darker brown with shades of lighter blonde for the ideal Autumn hue. Describing the trendy new hair colour on Instagram, colourist Olivia Smalley wrote: "A hybrid combo of cool metallic ash tones on brunette hair." Will you be trying it this season?
Toasted coconut hair
If you're a brunette who wants to dip her toe into more of a blonde hue, let us introduce you to toasted coconut: the hot new hair colour taking over our Instagram feeds. Speaking to Allure, colourist Ami Rexroth explained: "It's a very rich, dark root that softly transitions and melts into blonder ends". We are absolutely loving this subtle new take on blonde highlights, aren't you?
@chitabeseau / InstagramGem Roots
Gem roots is the current trend fulfilling our crystal-obsessed dreams. From magenta to pastel shades of green and pink and silvery blonde ends, it sounds like it shouldn't work but oh, it does.
@foilingbeautiful / InstagramFruit Juice Hair
Another trend that will have brunettes jumping for joy, the latest colour style dubbed 'fruit juice hair' is total hair goals. Coined by hair guru Alisha McAlister, she explained: "I’m not sure what to call this! It’s a mix of blended fruit colours. I started this hair colour thinking I was doing a simple base and tone. Then my amazing client surprised me! She said, “I want something different!” So yay for stylist choice night!". We think it'll be a big hit this summer.
@thomas.goh / InstagramRose Brown hair
Finally! A pastel trend that brunettes can get involved with! The rose gold trend isn't done just yet, as rose brown is gaining traction on Instagram. Instead of having to dye your hair bright blonde to achieve the look, this works with darker hair colours. Created by hairstylist Thi Thao Tu, it's done by using a combination of bleach, Olaplex treatment, and brown and red dyes. We're into it.
@saraihairwizard / InstagramGhosted hair
This gorgeous look has nothing to do with the dating term, but rather what's hiding in the shadows of the gorgeous hue. Why's it different from platinum or silver? It's the addition of carbon, quartz and oyster white that you don't see at first glance. First crafted by Jason Hogan of Josh Wood Atelier on this wavy short hairstyle, it's definitely going to be a biggie this year.
