How to Create the Perfect Natural Blonde Balayage: A Step by Step Guide

We all have a few natural blondes on our client list and these naturally blessed clients with a base color that is a level 7 or over may not even realize that they are in hairdressing terms – officially a blonde! Yes we are jealous too! These PRO tips work best on a lighter base, If you are not very confident with the numbering system then before we proceed, we highly recommend that you take a look at the color chart referring to it in every consultation will help you achieve the perfect natural Blonde Balayage without the high maintenance growth.

What Is Natural Blonde Balayage?

Natural blonde Balayage offers a beautiful and low-maintenance way to add dimension and brightness to your clients hair. With its soft transitions created by the popular ‘hand painted’ coloring technique, it can enhance your clients natural beauty and create a natural looking blend of blonde tones. It involves hand-painting pre lighteners such as Magnet™ or lighter shades onto specific sections of the hair to mimic the way the sun would lighten hair over time. It gives the appearance of sun kissed hair all year round.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Rio Revlon (@rioatrevlonprofessional)

Here’s what you need to know about natural blonde Balayage:

• Technique: Balayage is a French word that means “sweeping.” It refers to the technique of freehand painting the hair to create a seamless, graduated effect. This is achieved by strategically applying lighter shades or throughout the hair, focusing on areas the sun would naturally lighten such as around the face or the ends.
• Soft transition: The goal of natural blonde Balayage is to achieve a subtle, gradual transition from darker roots to lighter ends. This is achieved by opting for different shades of blonde that range between 1-3 levels or tones to create dimension and depth. This makes the natural blonde Balayage blend seamlessly with the base color.
• Customization: Natural blonde Balayage is highly customizable in terms of color choices and tones but is best suited to lighter bases such as a base 7 and above. It’s important to consider skin tone and eye color to get the most flattering shades of blonde. Everyone is unique and the client’s preference should always be the deciding vote; however creamy blonde and golden tones tend to look best against warm skin tones and cooler shades can work well with porcelain or cooler skin tones and lighter eyes. This personalized approach ensures a natural and complementary look.
• Low maintenance: One of the advantages of natural blonde Balayage is its low maintenance nature. The technique focuses on creating softly lightened pieces or sections of hair, which means that regrowth lines are less noticeable compared to traditional highlighting methods. This in turn allows for longer periods between touch-ups.
• Versatility: Natural blonde Balayage can be adapted to different styles and hair lengths. Whether your client is a natural blonde or you want to make your pre-lightened pieces a touch darker or cooler, the technique can be adjusted with toners such as Color Excel Gloss by Revlonissimo™ shades .123 Nude Satin or .31 Sand to create a natural and beautiful blonde result.
• Hair care: To maintain the vibrancy and health of your clients natural blonde Balayage, it’s important to follow a proper hair care routine. This will likely include limiting heat and external aggressors and making color safe professional products a priority to protect and preserve that stunning natural blonde Balayage. Our PROS love the RE/START™ Color 1 minute Color Protective Mist, formulated with Kerabiotic Purple Charge™ technology this fast acting mist provides 10 benefits** that will help protect and enhance color while beautifying colored hair.

Getting Ready for Your Balayage 

Preparing for a Balayage hair color appointment is important to ensure your clients get the best results. Here are some tips to help you get your clients ready for their Balayage session.

• Hair Condition: Make sure the hair is in good condition before the Balayage appointment. If the hair is dry, damaged, or brittle, then regular deep conditioning treatments leading up to the appointment are a must! Healthy hair will hold color better and provide a more even result.
• Avoid Major Hair Changes: It’s best to avoid making significant changes to the clients hair right before your Balayage appointment. For example, if your client is planning to cut their hair significantly or chemically straighten or perm it, it’s advisable to do so after the Balayage process as any chemical service can change the color results and limit or even halt the service taking place completely.
• Consultation is key! Effective communication is key. Be clear about your expectations or any concerns you have, and ask any questions you may have about the process. This will help you and your client get on the same page about their desired Balayage look and to ensure that vision can be achieved.
• Clean Hair: On the day of the color appointment, it’s best to work your magic on clean, dry hair. Ensure that your clients knows to avoid using heavy styling products, oils, or conditioners that may create a barrier between the hair and the color. Day two hair is best as washing the hair immediately before the appointment may strip the natural oils that can help protect the scalp during the coloring process.
• Patience and time: Balayage is a meticulous process that requires time and precision. Be prepared for your appointment to take several hours and prewarn your client that depending on their hair length and desired result it could take longer than expected! Advise your clients to bring snacks and something to keep themselves occupied.
• Aftercare: Discuss aftercare instructions and recommended homecare products to your client. Toners and professional color and care will need to be part of their routine going forward to help maintain the Balayage’s vibrancy and the hair integrity.

Creating Your Balayage 

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Varga Letti HairWizard (@lettihairwizard)

Creating your Balayage hair color is a process that requires skill and technique. Here’s an overview of the general steps involved in Balayage.

• Sectioning: The first step is sectioning the hair. Divide the hair into manageable sections using clips or hair ties. This will help you apply the color more precisely and ensures even distribution and bespoke color placement.
• Lightening product: A lightening product, such as Magnet™ is typically used in Balayage to lift the hair’s natural color. Once the desired lift or result is achieved, a subsequent color will be applied to achieve the natural blonde tone.
• Freehand painting: Balayage involves hand painting the lightening product onto specific sections of the hair. A brush or paddle is most often used to apply the product, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends of the hair. However, foils may also be used for additional lift. This technique is called Foilayage and will help the color transition from the darker roots to the lighter mids and ends. The Balayage sections will be strategically placed to create a natural-looking effect. Brush strokes (of varying thickness and placement) may differ each time to help achieve dimension and depth. The goal is to mimic the way the sun naturally lightens the hair, focusing on areas that would typically catch the light.
• Processing time: The lightening product will need time to develop and lift the hair to the desired level. The processing time will vary depending on the hair’s starting color, desired result, and the lightning product used. Ensure you monitor the hair during this time to ensure it reaches the desired level of lightness.
• Toning: After the hair has reached the desired level of lightness, a toner will likely be used to neutralize any unwanted brassiness or to achieve a specific undertone. This step helps create a more polished and balanced final result.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Westrow Hair – Official (@westrowhair)

Finishing Touches

Now it’s time to showcase that beautiful Balayage with a few curls or perhaps a sleek polished blow-dry. To make the style last all day and night, we recommend Style Masters™  to help you achieve and lock in your look. The hard work doesn’t stop there though! Yes you have achieved the perfect natural blonde Balayage, but the next step is to keep it that way! Blonde hair has a tendency to go brassy and lose its personalized salon tone. To ensure longevity, care and styling are key. Without professional products, those natural tones will begin to fade long before the roots or Balayage need retouching. That’s where the pro tips come in to help! To optimize colored hair we recommend using the  RE/START™ Strengthening Purple Cleanser, this dual action cleanser for blonde hair neutralizes brassiness, strengthens hair and respects and balances the scalp.

It really is imperative to recommend or even better, send your clients home with neutralizing products such as Eksperience™ Color Protection for Blondes and Nutri Color™ Filters Toning Filters. This wide range of luminous semi-permanent hair dye with intense COLOR, CARE and SHINE ensures flawless color from roots to tips and can easily be used in between color services, or right after pre lightening, leaving the hair in great condition. 

For more PRO tips and color ideas, head to our 24/7 educational platform, Revlon Pro Always On (available for clients only, so click the link to become one). There you can discover professional training and all the top trends. You can also visit our Revlon Pro Shop to order directly and stock up on products.