Yes, balayage is known for being natural-looking and subtle -- but the technique can also be used to create a more dramatic look. Case in point? This two-tone balayage. Just make sure you hire stylist who knows the balayage technique well and can seamlessly blend your strands, like stylist Neal Malek did here.
While we're on the topic of abandoning the natural look, let's talk pastel balayage. Hand-painted powder blue, rose and lilac strands turn this hair into a work of art.
This beautiful balayage hair blends seamlessly into her natural hair color, creating brilliant blonde highlights. You can hardly tell she has highlights, can you? Don't worry; it took us minute too.
Combine the balayage technique with ombre, and you've got a near-lethal hair combination. The contrasting light and dark shades give hair dimension, which is further emphasized with effortless curls. Seriously, this balayage slays.
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Natural Balayage
Though painstakingly applied, balayage higlights look 100 percent natural, and keeping your hair pretty close to one length will only enhance this effect. "The more length you have the more dimension you get because there's more of a canvas," Papanikolas says. "If you have shorter hair or a shag, it can be hard to capture that dimension."
