7 Balayage Maintenance Tips and Hair Treatments
Balayage is a popular hair colouring technique. The stylist gently paints the highlights onto the hair using a brush. The colouring is applied lower on the hair strands, which leaves the roots dark as the ends become gradually lighter. Due to the freehand nature of the balayage method, the highlights have a natural look with rich dimensions.
The balayage technique originated in France during the 1970s. This hair colouring method remained popular over the decades, a trendy choice in hair salons worldwide. Many women enjoy the balayage due to its subtle beauty, which complements any hair colour or skin complexion. You will recognize plenty of actresses, models, and celebrities embracing the balayage look.
As with any colouring technique, your balayage needs routine maintenance to remain fresh and healthy. Regular hair care ensures your highlights keep the colour and remain beautiful for as long as possible. Check out these seven balayage maintenance tips and hair treatments:
Maintenance Tip #1: Wash hair after balayage sparingly.
How often you wash your hair is crucial to balayage maintenance. If you clean too often, you strip the hair of its natural oils, causing the strands and scalp to dry out. The dryness leaves your hair unprotected from the elements, making your balayage fade faster. In addition, the harsh chemicals and minerals found in tap water can also diminish the balayage highlights.
The key to balayage maintenance is to wash your hair sparingly. Ideally, you can schedule a cleanse every two to three days, although you may adjust this schedule based on your comfort. Use dry shampoo as an alternative when you don’t wash your hair.
Maintenance Tip #2: Use sulphate-free shampoo on balayage hair.
Sulphates are the chemicals found in many popular shampoos. They are the ingredients that form a rich and bubbly lather. These sulphates will remove oils and natural proteins from your hair, causing your locks to dry out quickly. They can also strip away the colouring in your hair, making your balayage fade rapidly.
A good balayage hair care tip is to use sulphate-free shampoos. For starters, these products are safer for your hair. In addition, the best sulfate-free shampoos will help maintain the colouring in your balayage for a longer time.
Maintenance Tip #3: Touch up balayage at a salon.
No matter how much care you put into your hair, a balayage will eventually fade over time. However, you can prevent this with follow-up appointments at the hair salon. A quick balayage touch-up will make a positive difference in preserving the beauty and radiance of your highlights.
Ideally, you should book a balayage touch-up every few months to have your colour refreshed. The good news is that these appointments do not take very long. Once the hairstylist completes a quick balayage root touch-up, your highlights will restore to their initial elegance.
Maintenance Tip #4: Use hair mask for balayage.
Many different hair masks are available, specially designed for colour-treated hair. These masks will hydrate and protect your balayage. In addition, numerous hair masks add vital proteins to your hair and scalp. These nutrients will keep your locks healthy and prevent the highlights from fading rapidly.
Ideally, use a hair mask one to two times per week to keep your hair in the best possible condition. You can choose from a selection of store-bought hair masks. You can also take care of your balayage at home with DIY hair masks made from household ingredients.
Maintenance Tip #5: Get rid of brassy balayage.
The wear and tear of everyday life can leave your balayage hair looking faded and brassy. Fortunately, you can get rid of brassy hair with the various products and treatments. Use a purple shampoo several times each week to keep your balayage looking beautiful. You can also purchase a toning solution to remove any orange undertones, restoring your hair to its intended colour.
Maintenance Tip #6: Wear a hat to protect your balayage.
The sun’s UV rays can be extremely harmful to our skin, but they also wreak havoc on our hair. The harsh sunlight causes our hair to become dry and brittle. In addition, it can cause our balayage to fade out quickly. Wear a hat if you plan on spending long periods outside. A hat will protect your balayage from extended hours of sunlight, shielding the highlights from harmful UV rays.
Maintenance Tip #7: Avoid heat & chlorine for balayage hair.
Heat styling tools are undoubtedly popular. Unfortunately, heat is highly damaging to your hair. The excessive use of hairdryers, curling wands, and straighteners will dry out your stands. These products will also fade your balayage faster than it usually should. Instead, stay away from heat styling tools whenever possible. If you must use them, turn down the settings. Also, apply a heat protectant spray to keep your locks safe and protected from damage.
Similarly, the chlorine from swimming pools will cause your balayage to fade out quickly. It can also cause your hair to turn green. If you plan to go swimming or soak in a hot tub, remember to tie your hair up and keep it from getting wet.