Are you ready to change your look, but you’re not quite sure about the difference between a Balayage and an Ombré? You’ve seen thousands of pictures online and know what you like, but which one is which? What’s realistic considering your lifestyle and the amount of time you have to take care of your hair? How much it is going to cost? Here’s what to consider before you decide.
The word Balayage comes from the French language and it means “to sweep”. 
It is simply the technique used to apply color to the hair. A gentle sweeping motion is utilized to apply a lighter color to the top of the hair promoting a gradual lift with maximum blend throughout the hair. A Balayage typically leaves darker pieces of your natural hair color at the bottom, which creates a lot of dimension and a more natural look. Most balayages start with warm tones but depending on the natural color of your hair, it is possible to achieve a light blond color after multiple appointments. A perfect Balayage is meant to mimic natural sun-like highlights throughout the entire hair. Since the transition between colors is supposed to look natural there’s no harsh lines, meaning that any re-growth won’t be apparent, which makes this hairstyle easier to maintain than an Ombré. A toning/glossing is required once every 4 weeks if you want to maintain the original color of the highlights.
An Ombré, on the other hand, is a fully blended transition from (usually) dark roots to light ends. The style is definitely more noticeable than a Balayage since usually there are no dark pieces left on the bottom of the hair or light pieces on the roots. Ombrés are also often used with fashion colors, such as dark pink roots to bright pink ends or blue roots blended down into purple. Ombrés do require more maintenance than a Balayage as the root will need to be toned up every 4 weeks. Also, depending on tone or fashion color used on the length of the hair, an additional tone will need to be done every 2-4 weeks.
So if you want dimension, low maintenance, and a more natural look, the Balayage is a great option for you. If you are looking for a bold statement piece, the Ombre is going to be a perfect choice.
Regardless of which one you choose, both are fabulous ways to stay in style all year round. Before booking your appointment, come see us at any Mark Pardo location for a complimentary consultation in order to have an in-depth conversation with your stylist about the price and maintenance of your new choice of hairstyle!
Stay beautiful
Brittany
