51 Looks That Prove Balayage Is Still the Chicest Hair Trend Out There

As a brunette with very dark eyebrows, over the years, I’ve felt a little limited in what I can actually do colour-wise with my long locks. I used to find that when I embraced my natural colour, I felt as though the cool dark-brown shade washed me out, yet going blonde was never an option, as I was so conscious of my jet-black brows. But that was a long time ago. In fact, it has been eight years since I last had to worry too much about my hair colour.

That is because in a bid to try and find the right balance between dark and light, eight years ago, I stepped foot into my local suburban salon with an inspiration picture that showcased a hair trend that made the stylist scrunch up his face. "Leave that picture with me and come back in an hour. I need to think about this one,” he said. I returned a little while later, sat down in the chair and watched on as one of the juniors rolled out a trolley full of different dyes. The stylist came over and explained to me that after a lot of research, he was convinced he could do something that was going to get me closer to my desired colour, but I was going to have to trust him because he was going freehand. Young and prepared for any hair disaster about to come my way, I accepted.

The result was everything I’d hoped for. Subtle hints of blonde shone through the lengths, blending seamlessly into my natural colour at the roots. A couple of years later, and it seemed this new hair colour trend had a name: balayage. While for decades, hair-colouring techniques in the UK had been based solely around a strict menu of block colour, full-head highlights, half-head highlights or T-section highlights, leading UK hairstylists were starting to adopt more tailored, international techniques, and balayage was the first big movement.

Since that moment, I’ve more or less stuck to my balayage roots (pun totally intended) and only really switched up my colour to experiment with other forms of balayage. And in all honesty, I’m not sure I’ll ever look back. When it comes to going to the hairdresser, I’m the worst and often it will be six months between visits. Luckily, balayage makes this all possible. I don’t have to worry about roots, and an impressive selection of purple conditioners (I’m obsessed with Redken Blondage Express Anti-Brass Mask) to keep the blonde cool and fresh along with nourishing treatments to keep bleach damage under control (Aveda Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair is my weapon of choice) makes balayage just about the most low-maintenance hair trend going.

Above all, balayage comes in a whole heap of different forms, each one as chic as the next. From thick highlights on already-blonde tresses to superfine caramel flecks through deep brunette lengths, there’s not a single variant I’m not on board with. Sound like something you might want to consider? Read on for everything you need to know, including all of the best inspiration out there.

What Is Balayage?

Without getting too technical, balayage is actually a term that refers to the way in which a stylist applies colour. Rachel Todisco, lead colourist and balayage specialist at Aveda UK, reveals, "Balayage is a freehand technique that creates soft dimension, mimicking how the hair would naturally lighten in sun. The dye is applied to the mid-lengths and ends as opposed to directly to the roots like a full-head colour or foil highlights might.”

The most wonderful thing about it, however, is that how each and every stylist chooses to carry out the technique is totally up to them. "If you took to Instagram and typed in ‘balayage,’ you’d see so many artistic interpretations. Originally, it was a French technique that comes from the word ‘to sweep’ colour onto the hair,” says Todisco.

What Are the Benefits of Balayage Over Traditional Highlights?

For lazy girls like me, the best thing is that you really don’t have to worry about regrowth. Although in some situations, the colour might be taken up close to the root, the idea is that any regrowth will blend in seamlessly.

"Choosing balayage really works with the hair. It creates a totally customisable, personalised colour finish compared to any other technique, and it looks natural,” explains Todisco. "The ability to dial up or down the colour has made it a popular choice for the ‘colour shy.’ You can be as subtle (or bold) as you like with the ability to curate a completely tailored finish that is low-commitment.”

Who Does Balayage Suit?

If you’re waiting for the negatives, you’re going to be waiting for quite some time. Balayage more or less works for every hair type, every skin tone and every length. "That’s the magic of it,” says Todisco. "However, you will likely find that the longer your hair is, the more you’ll get out of the low-maintenance element compared to shorter, pixie styles.”

However, just because balayage suits everyone doesn’t mean it’s a one-size-fits-all situation. Because it requires a level of tailoring and personalisation, it’s important to know exactly the sort of style you want before you sit down in the salon chair.

Not sure where to start? Keep scrolling for all of the balayage inspiration you might need.

Balayage Hair Inspiration—Looks You Need to See

1. Mermaid Waves

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's ribbons of balayage create a face-framing halo, which brightens her complexion as well as her honey-brown strands.

2. Face-Framing Balayage

A couple of subtle balayage pieces, as seen at the front of Alexa's hair here, are enough to give lift to a darker hair colour base.

3. Caramel Notes

How beautiful are these caramel tones in J.Lo's bob? A great way to introduce balayage if you want to keep your look slightly darker.

4. Root Fade

Balayage is a great technique to achieve graduated colour from root to ends — something that's especially useful if you want to avoid too many trips to the salon.

5. Perfect Pony

Balayage helps to achieve a sun-kissed effect, which is really showcased when tied back into a ponytail. Draw even more attention by topping with a bow like Cass has here.

6. Oh Honey

Queen Bey shows how good honey-toned balayage can look with darker roots. For an effortless blend, speak to your stylist to ensure the colours melt into each other.

7. Balayage Curls

Balayage looks amazing on every texture and hair type. I'm obsessed with Celeste's honey lengths, which perfectly highlight her bouncy curls.

8. Chic Up-Do

Balayage doesn't just look great when hair is worn down. Tia's caramel balayage blends seamlessly with her brunette locks in this curly up-do.

9. Silver Lining

Ada's silver-tipped braided balayage is just about the coolest interpretation of the hair trend we've seen. Proof that balayage is a great way to get creative with tones you may have thought intimidating.

10. Blonde Ambition

For a more relaxed take on the trend, take inspiration from Anne who brightens up her mousy brown locks with chunky blonde balayage.

11. Caramel Lengths

Lauren-Nicole's caramel balayage is nothing short of delicious. Notice how there's not one single tone of caramel, instead multiple shades blend together to create a dimensional look.

12. Low-maintenance Yet Luxe

This style perfectly demonstrates how with balayage, regrowth can become a worry of the past. As your hair grows, your balayage simply grows with it.

13. Bombshell Balayage

Blonde balayage and a bouncy blow dry? Lily's provides the ultimate party hair inspiration, perfect for all your upcoming events.

14. Soft and Subtle

On first look, it might be difficult to spot Suki's balayage, but when you look closely, you can see the different colours running through the lengths. Subtlety is key for the laid-back style.

15. Duo Tones

The side parting, the waves, the gloss—this is glamour in hair form. Rather than starting from the root, Sofia's balayage begins from mid-length offering a striking contrast.

16. Lighten Up

Ask your stylist to focus your balayage to the front sections of your face to brighten your complexion, just like Rachelle. So glowy.

17. Effortless Blending

Short hair can get in on the balayage trend, too. Saoirse's dark roots blend seamlessly into her blonde lengths even on her blunt bob cut.

18. Balayage Braids

Ambrosia's embellished braids look even more beautiful with the addition of her warm-toned balayage lengths.

19. Balayage Bob

Another great balayage bob look, here Annabel's wavy lengths transition seamlessly from brown to blonde in no time at all.

20. Brunette Tones

Jasmine's face-framing balayage streaks look amazing styled into beachy curls. Just, don't forget to protect your colour between styling sessions with a colour-safe hair mask to keep your balayage looking bright.

21. Feeling Peachy

Lotte's borderline-peach tones bestow her balayage locks with a glowy finish. This is balayage but not as you quite expect.

22. Flicked and Fabulous

Looking for a new way to style your balayage bob? Flicked ends will show off lighter ends in the most beautiful way.

23. 90's Inspired

For a fun, '90s aesthetic, opt for cool tones and take your balayage close to the root to create that classic cool girl style.

24. Copper Magic

Another high contrast balayage look, these blended blonde and copper tones are so beautiful against Oluwaseun's darker roots.

25. Warm Balayage

Proof that balayage doesn't need to be obvious. This subtle blend of reddish ends and darker roots is sublime.

26. The Dark Side

Create a subtle balayage look by choosing a colour that's close to your natural shade. Jill's soft, reddish ends look beautiful with her almost-black roots.

27. VB Approved

Even VB can't get enough of the balayage trend. Here her chocolate brown to caramel locks provide the blueprint for a darker way to try the trend.

28. Balayage and Bows

Balayage might be at its most effective on loose tresses, but we think it looks chic swept up in a bun, too.

29. Balayage Bubble Braid

Another cute balayage up-do. We couldn't love this bubble pony/balayage combination more.

30. Caramel Curls

Renia's subtle balayage makes her impressive corkscrew curls look even more impactful.

31. Supermodel Style

Gisele's voluminous locks are my hair-goal inspiration every day of the year. Reach for a blow dry brush to recreate her bouncy style at home.

32. Transitional Tones

Amaka's lighter ends will help transition her beauty look from winter to spring with ease.

33. Relaxed Styling

Yes, balayage looks just as chic when channelled in a short, choppy hairstyle. Apply a texture spray post-wash to chhanel Lizzy's effortless movement.

34. Blonde Blowout

Brie's wavy 'do really shows off her honey-coloured balayage. A work of art in shades of blonde and brown.

35. Low Contrast

It may be subtle, but Aimee's golden balayage ends show that this look needn't be a thing of contrasts.

36. Lighten Up

Sydney's balayage lengths make me want to go lighter so I'll be saving this look for my next hair appointment.

37. Wavy Lengths

Emili's chunky blonde balayage looks so great in her thick waves. See, I told you, this trend really can work on all hair types.

38. Channel Queen Bey

Because she really is the queen of Balyage (among other things), here's another look from Beyoncé which shows off her face-framing balayage at its finest.

39. Balayage + Fringe

If you're worried about how balayage might look with a full fringe, you can just stick to lengths and avoid your fringe completely. It's all low-maintenance.

40. Plaited Strands

Sofia Richie Grainge's balayage braid is a moment. Perfect for when you're hair gets a little too overstimulating.

41. High Contrast Balayage

Worried about the effect dye may have on your hair? Keep things low-key like Ciara and only opt for bleach at the very ends.

42. Balayage + Claw Clip

We love the contrast between Gergana's dark roots and blonde lengths. Don't even get us started on the Chanel clip.

43. Auburn Ends

Balayage lengths needn't be blonde—here, Nnenna shows just how beautiful warm auburn tones can be.

44. Seamless Transition

Of course, Margot's blonde lengths-to-dark roots balayage is nothing short of seamless.

45. Pink Power

Who says balayage hair can't be bright? Pink, blue, silver, copper, this is a trend that really can take on the rainbow of hair colours.

46. Brunette Balayage

Having previously been platinum blonde, Rachel's dark-to-gold balayage is a stark contrast to her previous look—but one we love just as much.

47. Add Dimension

Daisy Edgar-Jones' balayage is incredibly subtle, adding just a touch of lift and dimension to her dark brunette lengths.

48. Retro Shades

Marie ups the retro feel of her balayage hair with a sweeping fringe and blown-out ends. A look that proves this trend is totally timeless.

49. Copper Curls

Eiza's dark brown and copper curls sit perfectly against her olive complexion. It's key to speak to your stylist to see which tones work best for you.

50. Half Up-do

Notice how the balayage runs through the layers of Nina's hair, meaning it's still visible when styled in this cute half-up, half-down look. This is how it's done.

51. French Fancy

I'm still not over Sofia's French Bob, and her chic cut is made even fancier thanks to her face-framing balayage pieces.

This post was originally published at an earlier time and has since been updated.