Balayage, the 2021 hair trend to look out for

Remember the olden days when we would bleach our hair to have golden or white highlights? Or when we would use straighteners and ruin our natural curls? 

Well, now it is all about embracing your natural hair, and doing what may enhance your overall look, and definitely not messing up naturally formed curls or waves. 

If you are thinking about colouring your hair, you could look out for balayage, the latest hair trend in 2021, which gained popularity during last year's lockdown. Users and hair stylists are mixing and matching balayage techniques and creating styles of their own.  

Compared with other hair colour styles or traditional highlights, balayage actually looks better when your hair grows out. It also does not require heavy maintenance, other than a few touch-ups here and there. It is also supposed to cause less damage to your precious locks.  

Basics of balayage 

Balayage comes from the French word 'balayer' which means to sweep and this hairstyle involves hand painting the hair. This technique ensures the colour sits in a smooth way and looks natural. Balayage works well with all types of hair.

While creating traditional highlights, the individual segment of hair is wrapped in foils and the colour is applied to the hair roots. So you have to visit the salon regularly to keep up with growing roots. 

But in balayage, strands of hair are held against a board and the colour is hand-painted on them. The colour is more concentrated at the end, so when your hair grows out, it blends with the colour. Thus giving a more natural, sun-kissed look.

Difference with ombré 

Ombré hair colour gradually fades as it goes down from the roots to the tips. It also looks more striking.

In balayage, softer shades are used and the technique of applying colour is more subtle. The stripes are also not as prominent as regular highlights.