Balayage question

[NigellaSeed]

I've been having full head balayage for years but will t-section look crap - because now that I've cut all my highlights off in lockdown I really want a more sunkissed look - but not streaky! (I have poker straight hair so it won't look nice and beachy I'm afraid.

My hair is dark blonde/v. light brown

I couldn't go back to traditional highlights, same colouring and find they start showing roots in approximately 5 minutes flat. some babylights around the front might be more subtle?

Well I'm thinking balayage t section (I'm the same - I don't think I'd ever move away from balayage now.

I've just googled babylights and yes that's what I'm looking for - thank you

OP, I know what you mean. Highlights can look at bit 90's streaky and balayage is much more flattering.

I remember having a consultation about 18 months ago with a new hairdresser and I'd already had a balayage about 6 months before. She convinced me that a full head of highlights was what I needed instead and assured me that they wouldn't look streaky and they only look like that if they are done badly or the client has specifically asked for this look.

On the actual day of my appointment, I said the same again to the same hairdresser about not wanting stripes of colour and she snapped at me "well they're highlights - stripes of colour, so I'm not sure what you're expecting me to do!"

Needless to say I quickly changed my mind and ended up with a root touch up and trim. Don't think she was happy, but then neither was I!

I have highlights/baby lights & balayage & don't have the stripy look but my hair is dark blonde already

Yes I definitely don't want thick streaks - but I'm thinking t section balayage from just about the ear, slightly higher around the face and not too much lighter than my natural dark blonde... I think that will work, but as I say, I've only had a full head balayage before (it's always looked nice - I just want an even more subtle colour now).

After 3 years balayage I went back to half head highlights last summer. I think I thought the balayage was making me look a bit messy / straggly.

It did look better if I'm honest. Having the lighter colour all the way through to the top did really brighten up my face and it was fun to be properly blonde again, without the rooty bit.

Of course, thanks to lockdown the roots are back. And I'll probably go back to balayage anyway because I can't afford to have highlights every 12 weeks.