With warmer weather just around the corner, you might be starting to think about what new hair color you want for summer. Afterall, a refresh for your days in the sun is the perfect way to prepare! One hair color you might consider is sun-kissed balayage. It’s an incredible hair color for summer because it looks stunning and allows you to have a style that’s completely stress-free!
If this sounds like a hair color you could see yourself getting on board with, stick around! We’re going to talk about all things sun-kissed balayage so you can walk away knowing it’s the perfect hair color to ask your hairstylist for at your next appointment. Let’s get into it!
What is Sun-Kissed Balayage?
You’re likely familiar with the concept of balayage. It’s a type of hair lightening technique that requires a stylist to paint the hair. Sun-kissed balayage in particular is done in a way that helps achieve that sun-kissed look.
Your stylist will take a small section of hair and sweep the color onto it. They will then start to apply more color to the bottom of the hair. This allows for more control over where exactly the color is applied and allows you to get a blonde look without having to take the blonde color all the way to the root.
Why Sun-Kissed Balayage is Perfect for Summer
So, why exactly is sun-kissed balayage the way to go? We’ve got a few reasons we’d love to share with you today.
- Versatility
For starters, sun-kissed balayage is super versatile. There are tons of different ways to get slightly different balayage looks on all different hair lengths and types. So, no matter what hair type or texture you have, balayage is likely to work for you.
- Low-maintenance
Another reason sun-kissed balayage is awesome for summer is that it’s low maintenance. If you are to get highlights, you’re likely to have to visit the salon more often – every 6-8 weeks or so for a touch up. You can go a lot longer with balayage as the blonde hair color doesn’t go right to the root. You can leave the color for much longer and can even go 3-4 months without having to come in for a retouch.
Balayage often means there’s not much to lift when it comes to the color of the hair. That means you won’t have nearly as bright hair as you would with highlights. But, also means you won’t need as many sessions to get a blonde hair color in the first place. Especially if your hair is on the darker side.
- No harsh lines
One of the advantages of balayage over highlights is you’ll never get a harsh line as your hair grows out. Your hair will stay natural looking even as it grows over the course of multiple months. Again, this means for less maintenance and less appointments to the salon as your hair grows out flawlessly.
How to Prepare for Sun-Kissed Balayage
Once you’re ready to go in for your sun-kissed balayage treatment, you’ll want to be prepared. Here are a few things you can do.
Wear your preferred hair style
It’s always a good idea to wear your preferred hairstyle when you arrive at your appointment. Especially if you’re visiting a stylist for the first time.
This allows them to see how you normally wear your hair and will influence how they will apply the balayage. They may paint differently depending on how you wear it.
Know what you want
Look at photos ahead of time and have an idea of what you want before you arrive at the salon. If you can bring along a photo to your appointment, even better!
Sometimes it’s even a good idea to bring photos of hair colors you don’t like so your stylist knows what to avoid. Be sure to communicate with them clearly once at your appointment.
Avoid washing your hair
While you won’t want to go weeks without washing your hair before your appointment, you also don’t want it to be freshly washed. It’s good to have some natural oils in the hair to help moisturize and protect your scalp. This will also help the balayage to penetrate the hair shafts better.
Use conditioner
It’s a good idea to use conditioner in your hair at least one day before your appointment. This will help strengthen the hair and keep any damage to a minimum. You will want your hair to be nice and moisturized so it’s ready to absorb the color and keep your hair healthy at the same time.
How to Maintain Sun-Kissed Balayage
Once you’ve gotten the perfect sun-kissed balayage you’ll want to do everything you can to properly maintain it. Here are some of our best tips for doing just that.
Wash your hair sparingly
The most important step and rule is to wash your balayage hair as minimally as possible. When washed too much you can risk damaging your hair and ruining the quality of it. If washed more than 2-3 times per week you risk potentially damaging the hair, not to mention it can fade more quickly.
If your hair ends up looking too orange, a great way to fix or maintain your hair is with purple shampoo. This is also best when followed with a good conditioner you leave on for about 30 minutes or so. The more you can protect your hair the healthier it will be long term.
Use hair masks
One thing you should be adding to your hair care routine with sun-kissed balayage is a hair mask. This is an easy way to take care of your hair in between salon visits. Especially if you’re going longer in between appointments.
Hair masks help add moisture back into the hair and will help improve strength and shine. Your hair is a lot more likely to feel moisturized than it would without a hair mask.
Look for one that is known for strengthening and hydrating and apply it when your hair starts to feel dry or brittle.
Go for touch-ups
Of course, getting balayage means you can go longer in between appointments. However, you should still go into the salon to have your roots touched up every so often. This will help preserve the visibility of your balayage and will help keep your appointments on the shorter side.
It’s best to head to the salon every 3-4 months or so to keep your hair looking fresh and to help keep it moisturized and healthy. The healthier you can keep it in between appointments the better.
Opt for sulfate free hair products
When choosing your hair products, try to go for ones marked as sulfate free. This is a chemical often found in shampoos and can strip away the color that’s applied to your hair. It also removes the natural oils that appear on your scalp which help to keep your hair nice and hydrated.
Using the right products will keep your hair healthier for longer. It will also help preserve your sun-kissed balayage. You might even look for products that contain natural oils such as argan oil.
Protect your sun-kissed hair from the actual sun
Although your new hair color is going to look sun-kissed, it won’t actually benefit from being in the sun for an extended period of time. You should protect your hair from the bright sunlight as strong rays are known for damaging the cuticles of the hair. This will dry your hair out more quickly than if you shield it.
Grab a hat next time you head to the beach and be sure to wear adequate UV protection while you’re at it.
Be careful when swimming
Last but not least, be careful when swimming. Swimming pools have chlorine in them which can actually contribute to the drying of your hair. It will strip the hair of any natural oils and results in it becoming brittle.
If you do plan to go for a dip, try using a swim cap to help protect your hair. You could also wet your hair before and after swimming so it’s less likely to absorb any of that harmful chlorine. Give it a good rinse after your next dip and you’ll be good to go.
Get the Look
Are you feeling ready to try sun-kissed balayage for yourself? With summer just around the corner, there’s no better time to go for a sun-kissed look and try something new.
Regardless of your hair type, texture, or current color, our stylists at Anushka are ready to help you on your hair color journey. Whether it’s sun-kissed balayage or any other hair color under the sun, we’re excited to help you find a hair color that will make you look and feel your absolute best. We want you to walk out our doors feeling like a million bucks each and every time.
So, if you’re feeling ready to get started on your journey towards the perfect sun-kissed balayage for summer, let’s get started. Book your appointment with one of our expert stylists in West Palm Beach today.
