Last Updated on 6th January 2024
The popular hair colouring technique known as “balayage” uses hand-painted colour to give hair a sun-kissed, natural look. Dark hair or brown hair lends itself especially well to balayage hair colour and can fully enhance your natural hair colour with the right treatment in place. Although it’s a low-maintenance method of giving your locks dimension and depth, balayage highlights still needs proper care and upkeep to maintain your hair healthy.
What Is The difference Between Balayage And Highlights?
The two most popular forms of hair colouring in the UK today but are they really any different to each other.
In effect, yes they are as traditional highlights are focused primarily into the roots of your hair whereas balayage hair colour is swept through the entire hair giving a more natural hair colour.
Whether you have naturally blond, brown, ginger or mousey hair colour both treatments can be used. However those with a dark hair colour tend to favour the balayge hair colour technique as opposed to highlighted hair.
Highlighted hair is more versatile in that it suits all hair colours but it will always be a personal preference for you. The beauty of balayage hair colour is the low-maintenance for the wearer as less frequent hair washing, touch ups and styling mean you have more time for other beauty regimes.
We’ll go over some crucial advice for maintaining balayage hair colour to maintain healthy, shiny hair. This involves using sulphate-free shampoos and conditioners, avoiding excessive heat styling, and getting regular trims to prevent split ends that will enhance your dark balayage. Whether it is a dark brown hair or hoping to turn that ash blonde a shade darker we have the tips for fantastic and sulphate free balayage hair maintenance. Keep reading for more.
1. Do a weekly deep conditioning treatment
Once per week, give your hair a deep conditioning treatment on your balayage colour using a good quality nourishing conditioner. Apply it as a hair mask, paying close attention to the ends of your hair. This will minimize damage to your mid-hair and keep your dark balayage looking salon fresh.
Deep conditioning treatments when washing your dark balayage hair can help to repair and nourish damaged hair, leaving it looking and feeling healthier. Doing this is especially important if you frequently use heat styling tools or colour your dark or even light balayage hair. It would be best to consider using a conditioner specifically formulated for colour-treated hair to prevent fading and keep your locks moisturised.
2. Turn down the heat
Heat tools like hair dryers, flat irons, and curlers can easily cause damage to coloured hair. Ideally, you want to limit heat styling and use a heat protectant spray to help preserve the colour and maintain the health of your hair. Spraying a heat protectant on individual hair strands can help to shield them from harm, especially if you absolutely have to use blow drying or heat tools to style your hair.
Using a heat protectant can also help to maintain the moisture and health of your hair, preventing it from becoming dry and brittle over time. It’s an easy step to add to your balayage hair care routine that can make a big difference and produce minimal damage in the long run.
Heat tools in the lowest possible setting are also recommended to reduce damage to your balayage styling and limit heat styling to once or twice a week to give your hair a break and prevent excessive damage.
3. Avoid washing your hair every day
Washing your hair daily can strip it of its natural oils, leading to dryness and damage. Reducing your hair washing frequency to a few times a week and using dry shampoo in between can help maintain the health and vibrancy of your hair while also prolonging the life of your balayage colour.
What’s more, over-washing your hair can cause your scalp to produce more oil, causing it to accumulate dirt faster and give it a greasy feel. Washing your balayge hair less frequently can also help train your scalp to produce less oil, ultimately leading to healthier hair.
4. Prioritize moisture and minimize dryness
Nourishing and moisturizing your hair is crucial because balayage hair colour can be quite susceptible to dryness. Apply a tiny amount of hair oil to your damp hair’s ends after washing, and look out for nourishing ingredients like argan, avocado, and macadamia oil.
Also, consider using a leave-in conditioner or hair oil before swimming to create a barrier between your hair and the water. After swimming, rinse your hair with fresh water and use a moisturising shampoo and conditioner to help restore any lost moisture.
5. Go Sulphate-Free
Another way to maintain balayage hair colour is by using sulphate-free shampoo and conditioner, which can help prevent colour fading and dryness. Sulphates are known to strip the hair of its natural oils and can cause irritation to the scalp.
Following these tips can help extend your balayage’s life and keep it looking salon fresh for longer. Taking care of your natural hair colour and balayage colour this way can also help prevent breakage and damage, ensuring that your locks remain healthy and strong.
