16 Blonde Balayage Looks That Prove the Hair Color Trend Is Here to Stay
Hair trends come and go quicker than you can say “salon.” Balayage, however, has managed to stay relevant for almost a decade, with no signs of slowing down any time soon. Following in the footsteps of our beloved ombré, this lived-in hair color process is praised by both the client and the colorist. Thanks to its creative freedom for the colorist and low maintenance hair dye upkeep for the client, it’s considered one the most convenient yet stunning hair looks and color application processes. It’s also complementary on darker hair, dirty blonde, you name it.
So, what exactly is balayage? The coloring technique term comes from the French word “sweep,” and that’s pretty much exactly what the balayage technique entails. Colorists sweep (or technically paint) highlights as they please onto their client’s hair. This gives them a much more natural, sunkissed look than its ombre predecessor, and a much less structured look than traditional highlights. Even as we move away from summer trends, blonde balayage is consistently in. “The modern blonde balayage looks are moving away from the icy, silver, ash tones,” says Gregga LA salon owner Gregga Prothero, who is noticing a trend among A-list stars. “Celebrities want their natural roots to be more grown out. Their color is more of a lived-in, natural look.”
Even if you’ve never stepped into the dark (ok, light!) side, the great thing about the blonde balayage hairstyle is you can go as heavy or faint on the blonde hair color and it will still make a noticeable, complementary difference. Need proof? Look no further than some of these effortless hair color ideas below—and prepare to keep touch-ups to a minimum!
Meet the Expert
Gregga Prothero is a Master Stylist and founder of Gregga LA salon in the Eagle Rock area of Los Angeles.
Quia Querisma is a Texas-based colorist and Pureology ambassador who specializes in curly hair.
16 Blonde Balayage Looks That Will Turn Heads in a Heartbeat
1. Face-Framing Blonde Balayage
This color draws attention to your face thanks to the balayage blonde highlights focused around the front. The majority of the hair remains brown with some lightness more towards the mids and ends. This gives the star a subtle yet striking look.
2. Classic Blonde Balayage
In what’s reminiscent of a traditional ombre hair look of the early aughts, this hair color stuns with the dark roots and bleach blonde mid-to-ends gradient gorgeousness.
3. Bronde Balayage
We’ve been all about the au-naturel, “grown-out” look for a while (partly because of the low maintenance upkeep!), and this bronde—blonde ends and light brown dark roots—balayage is that look at its prime. “Embrace warmer, golden honey tones to keep it more subtle and rooty,” says Prothero of the dark blonde caramel balayage.
4. Natural Blonde Balayage
This effortless, everyday color has a been of balayage to add more of a distinct blonde. The natural blonde balayage is definitely a signature look that people have clamored to copy for years.
5. Curly Blonde Balayage
It’s no secret, but highlighting curly hair can be a challenge—or a “dance,” as Texas-based colorist and Pureology ambassador Quia Querisma says. “You want to achieve lift without compromising curl elasticity too much, and then placement matters because anything too diffused will just get lost.” Querisma loves these curly blonde balayage highlights by fellow colorist Laquita Burnett because “the client's deep ash base makes her light ash-blond curls just pop. It takes a talented colorist to have very dark and very light on the same head without it giving bumblebee!” Who says only girls with straight hair get to have the fun?
6. Golden Blonde Balayage
When it comes to blonde shades, talk about a perfect transition into fall! Warmer tones are generally on trend right now, and this look is a standout because the “highlight contrast is subtle, yet high-impact,” Querisma explains. “There doesn't need to be a huge difference between the guest's base color and the highlights to make a difference, and this is just radiant.”
7. Contrasting Blonde Balayage
Clients with deeper skin tones can struggle to make blonde work for them. That is, unless you find the right tone for the blonde and the right contrast between the highlights and naturally dark hair. This is a look Querisma approves of because the client “has very light blond balayage but enough depth that the color doesn’t create a stark contrast on her rich skin.”
8. Balanced Blonde Balayage
Sometimes, less is more. A neutral, balanced blonde balayage can complement golden brown skin beautifully, as is the case here. “It isn’t too warm or cool,” Querisma says.
9. Dimensional Blonde Balayage
This gradient roots-to-midsection bronde to blonde creates a deep dimension, making for an attention-grabbing look. Make the blonde a few shades darker and this color creation can easily be a year-’round favorite.
10. Reverse Blonde Balayage
This client received what her colorist refers to in the caption as “reverse blonde balayage.” While the name of this style may be unfamiliar, the colorist says she “added a little depth back into this blondie” by focusing on “brightening and cooling down her ends for a smoother, more natural grow-out.” Short hair is no stranger to the trend—it looks great here on this icy blonde lob!
11. Pinkish Blonde Balayage
When people say “blondes have more fun,” they prove their point when a photo like this one pops up. The client incorporated some very subtle pink into her traditional blonde balayage, giving it added dimension and a little edge—almost resulting in a strawberry blonde balayage. The hairstylist really worked her magic here.
12. Moneypiece Blonde Balayage
The moneypiece was one of the it hairstyles of 2021, but guess what? It’s still going strong. This client makes a subtle yet striking pop in the front, which truly complements the rest of her more natural look.
13. Sunkissed Blonde Balayage
Maybe she’s born with it… or maybe she’s not. The deep dimension of this sunkissed, honey blonde balayage hair makes it pretty apparent that these are painted-on highlights, but that aside, this client looks like she had a busy summer under the sun.
14. Vanilla Swirl Blonde Balayage
The only thing more appealing than real vanilla swirl ice cream is the sweet treat in hair form! This client’s contrasting white blonde and dark brown hair hues are seamlessly intertwined into perfection.
15. Autumn Blonde Balayage
As if we needed one more reason to appreciate fall. This perfectly intermixed combo of blonde, honey and chocolate could not be more fitting for the season (or this beautiful head of luscious long hair). Only thing missing? A PSL of course!
16. Platinum Blonde Balayage
For the girl who wants to stay light blonde and beachy but add a little dimension, this platinum blonde balayage is for you. There’s a smidge of brown to keep things looking like your natural hair color, but ultimately, you’re a bright blonde through and through.
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