Blonde balayage is the perfect tonal hair refresh, from ash blonde to honey
You know we're big on balayage. The hair highlighting technique is pretty, dimensional and dreamily low-maintenance. And within the remit of blonde balayage, there's countless ways to weave a little extra dimensions and personality through strands.
In case you want a recap, balayage involves a hand-painted hair colouring technique that sweeps colour seamlessly across strands. The idea is that you shouldn't see where it starts or ends, much like the natural highlights that appear in our hair. The technique works on the principle of light and shade, adding carefully places colours through hair for extra dimension and glow. And, when it comes to blonde, there's tons of tones to choose from.
Here are some of our favourite ways to rock a blonde balayage…
Ash blonde balayage
If you fancy turning down the temperature on your hair tone, ash blonde balayage is an ultra soft way to introduce icy energy without committing to fully platinum or silver strands. It combines both balayage and grey hues to create a stunning blend in hair and lighter, ashy tones to leave hair looking almost silvery-grey. Like OG balayage, the unique colour application technique delivers the most gorgeously subtle highlighted hair, icing strands with cool, shimmering smoked tones that meld effortlessly against a darker base. The good news is it works across a range of hair colours, depending on the ash tones you use. Blondes can go for brighter ash-white tones, whereas brunettes can sprinkle cooler ashier shades of grey-brown throughout their hair.
Instagram content
Instagram content
Instagram content
Bleach blonde balayage
If you want a blonde that brings the drama, milky, bleached strands is where it's at. Light and bright, it makes a very pretty statement. But there's plenty of different ways to play it. “Glimmers of different shades throughout the hair create a more natural appearance, whilst also providing the hair with dimension and depth,” says Dylan Brittain, Artistic Director at Rainbow Room International. And, you can make it work on darker hair bases. “This colour is great combined with a dark root to substitute the lowlights, whereby the dark root can be used as a base colour with subtle thin highlights and babylights scattered throughout the rest of the hair to achieve the milky blonde look,” explains Dylan, adding: "the colour service should be completed in the salon with an ash/pearl blonde toner to give the hair that desired, milky and clean finish.” Unsurprisingly, it's a more chemical-intensive colour than some of the other shades, so make sure you re-strengthen hair with plenty of masks and bond-builders after. And, it involves more commitment, especially if you have darker roots that need touching up more regularly. Depending on how neat you want it “this requires monthly or bi-monthly trips to the salon due to the root regrowth and to keep the colour looking as fresh as possible,” says Dylan.
Instagram content
Instagram content
Instagram content
Baby blonde balayage
"Baby blonde" is the adorable cherubic shade that's inspired by the brighter blonde hair some toddlers have when they're little. The painting technique blends sun-bleached, baby cherub shades with deeper undertones and roots for an effect that looks youthful but natural. Licks of lighter gold are applied to the front sections and baby hairs, then woven seamlessly through the crown and lengths.
Instagram content
Instagram content
Instagram content
Caramel blonde balayage
If you're after a crowd-pleaser, caramel blonde is perfect. It's the perfect in-between shade that works just as beautifully lighting up brunettes as it does adding some syrupy drama to brighter blondes. And, it works year round, it can bring the sunshine in summer and the cosiness in autumn.
Instagram content
Instagram content
Instagram content
Golden blonde balayage
Golden blonde is classic (and super popular) for a reason. Warm, sunkissed and illuminating, the shade has in-built glow, plus it feels soft, relaxed and romantic. When it comes to a golden blonde balayage, silky golden tones are carefully lit throughout your strands to give your hair a permanent golden hour filter that makes it look like it's sun-drenched whatever the weather. The shade is gentler on strands than stand-out platinum, and it works well with a root smudge for more seamless root regrowth. And *bonus, "warmer tones [like gold] tend to reflect light more than ashier hues, so will help the appearance of shine on the hair,” says Jordanna Cobella, Cobella salon owner and Wella Professionals Digital Craft Expert.
Instagram content
Instagram content
Instagram content
@haileybieber / InstagramHailey's hair always looks incredible, whether slicked back or left loose, and her face-framing balayage complements every look.
Getty ImagesIf you were to say you've never googled 'Jessica Alba hair' before, you'd be lying. The girl has never stepped a strand wrong. Her honey balayage is super flattering and is the kind of colour that will suit everyone.
RexSuki Waterhouse proves balayage also looks great on lighter hair.
Getty ImagesBow down to the new queen of balayage. Jessica Biel's glossy waves at the Emmy's made us want to book a salon appointment asap. If only we could get in with her colourist, Tracey Cunningham, who revealed her secret weapon to be Redken's Shades Eq Hair Gloss. She used at least six shades(!) to get this colour bang on, and finished with a good dose of Olaplex, too.
Getty ImagesNobody does golden goddess quite like Gigi Hadid. And although she's sporting darker roots than usual, she's kept some highlights to frame her face and add warmth.
Getty ImagesIf you love having blonde hair but hate regrowth, Nicole Richie's balayage might be your match. Her caramel base with blonde tones is a lighter take on the hair trend, with seamless blending that will help to disguise darker roots for longer.
REXIf you're looking to get a subtle balayage on your dark hair, take this photo of Olivia Munn's chestnut highlighted strands to your hairdresser.
Getty ImagesIf hair goals could be defined by one picture, it would be this one: Cindy Crawford (and her gorge balayaged strands) at the Chanel SS18 FROW.
Getty ImagesCiara with a more drastic 'do of the trend, and yet gorgeous.
We adore Emma Watson's rock chick-inspired balayage hair. She has the sophistication to pull off any trend!
Getty ImagesGisele is the queen of long balayage waves. Jealous, us? Yeah, maybe a little...
Getty ImagesElizabeth Olsen's colour has been lightly touched with lighter hues to create this light-reflecting effect.
Getty ImagesThe Queen of balayage? Sarah Jessica Parker, of course.
Getty ImagesRihanna's Grammys look is simply stunning. Balayage hair looks great with a bold red pout.
Rex FeaturesEmilia Clarke's style straddles the realm between ombre and balayage. Nevertheless, it looks ultra pretty.
Getty ImagesChrissy Teigen is well-known for her excellent glossy balayage locks.
Getty ImagesSide-sweeping bangs look excellent with this colour trend. JLo does it best.
Rex FeaturesNatalie Portman's soft waves look stunning coloured in these honey hues.
Getty ImagesKaia Gerber shows off the exemplary balayage hairstyle and pretty, feminine makeup.
