Balayage

A balayage (pronounced ‘bah-lee-ahge’) is a French word, meaning to ‘sweep.’ It’s a free-hand highlighting technique which involves painting the hair with ribbons of colour, for a blended and sun-kissed finish. A balayage is the perfect choice if you’d like a subtly lighter and brighter look.

A balayage is completely customisable, and as the colour doesn’t start at the roots, you can create a low-maintenance style; perfect if you’d like a sun-kissed look. Full-head highlights, however, start directly at the roots to create a lighter effect throughout the hair.

The word ‘ombré’ means ‘shade’ in French and involves applying one (usually darker) colour from your roots to mid-lengths, and another, lighter colour from your mid-lengths to ends.  A balayage starts off softer, near to the roots and gets stronger through the lengths and ends.

This technique is ideal if you’re seeking a noticeable transformation or want to brighten and enhance your entire look. It’s particularly effective for adding depth and dimension to longer hair.

Partial balayage, on the other hand, targets specific sections of your hair, such as the crown or face-framing strands. This option delivers a subtle, more natural enhancement, making it perfect for a softer finish or a more gradual introduction to balayage. It’s also a great choice for those looking for a lower-maintenance option, as the focus on select areas means fewer touch-ups are required over time.

Babylights are delicate, ultra-fine highlights that mimic the soft, natural brightness of sunlit hair. They’re ideal for those who prefer a low-key enhancement, adding a gentle touch of colour without dramatic changes. Balayage, on the other hand, takes a more artistic approach, with hand-painted, larger sections creating a gradient effect that’s both bolder and more dynamic.

If you’re seeking a hairstyle that delivers noticeable depth and dimension with a natural grow-out, balayage may be the ideal option. For a subtle lightness and a soft yet glamorous finish, babylights offer understated elegance.

The difference between balayage and french balayage is simply the technique used to apply the colour. During a balayage, your stylist will use a freehand technique to ‘sweep’ colour onto chosen strands of the hair. This will create a natural, sun-kissed colour without any conflicting harsh tones. A french balayage involves your stylist creating a seamless transition from root to tip by blending your base colour. French balayage will leave you with a glossy, luminous yet dimensional result.

You don’t need to grow out your previous foil colour before switching to balayage. Balayage is a great way to blend and soften harsh lines or regrowth from prior colour, creating a smooth transition between shades. The hand-painted technique allows your stylist to tailor the colour to compliment or enhance your existing tones, whether they’re cool, warm, or somewhere in between. This method is much simpler than traditional colouring as it doesn’t involve lightening every strand, and it’s perfect for those looking to refresh their look without the need for frequent touch-ups.

To keep your balayage looking fresh and vibrant, it’s essential to use the right products. At Rush we recommend sulphate-free products to protect your colour and prevent it from fading too quickly. Toning products can help maintain the richness and balance of your balayage, especially if you’re aiming to preserve cool or warm tones. Our Rush stylists can recommend a range of professional products tailored to your hair type, designed to nourish and protect your colour while enhancing its shine and longevity.

Balayage is incredibly versatile and compliments a wide range of hairstyles, allowing you to showcase the beautiful colour transitions and added texture. Soft waves are a classic choice, as they highlight the natural gradation of colour, creating a sun-kissed effect that looks effortless. Messy buns or updos are another great option, as they allow the balayage to shine through in different layers, adding dimension and depth to your style. For a more casual look, half-up hairstyles work wonderfully to show off the balayage, framing the face while letting the colour pop. Whether you’re going for relaxed, everyday styles or more polished looks, balayage enhances your hair’s texture and depth, making it easy to create beautiful, dynamic styles that highlight your colour.

This technique suits all hair types and lengths, from fine to thick, straight to curly, and even grey hair. For those with grey strands, balayage offers a seamless way to blend regrowth or previous colour treatments, creating a polished and youthful effect. The low-maintenance nature of balayage makes it especially appealing for anyone who wants to maintain a stylish appearance without frequent touch-ups.

Balayage can be adapted to a range of hair colours, not just blonde. Whether you’re interested in warm caramel, rich chestnut, deep chocolate, or even vibrant hues like red or pastel shades, balayage can be customised to suit your individual style. The technique works by painting colour onto the hair in a way that creates soft, natural-looking highlights, making it ideal for enhancing depth and dimension in any hair colour. At Rush, we showcase how different tones can be blended into balayage to create a personalised look that complements your base colour and brings out your hair’s natural beauty.

On average between two-to-four months.

Once your shade starts to fade, a toner can be applied to help bring back the vibrant colour to your locks. Book in with your stylist to refresh your tresses and we’ll apply a toner to bring back vibrance.