Is balayage out?

[theshadeofgreen]

I'll start by saying I've never been a huge trend follower, if I like it I like it. It's more out of curiousity!

I'm booked to have my hair done next week. I've never had a colour done professionally and have always made do with at home kits but I think it's time, although for some reason I'm scared . I've got very dark natural hair with greys creeping in, and would like to go lighter.

I'm scared of it being orange and also don't want the upkeep of roots... is balayage stuck in 2020 or can it still look good? I've attached a pic that I adore, the top is similar to my natural colour. Is this do able? Is it out of date? Help please!!

I hope not- I’m booked in for balayage next month! I like the idea of not needing to worry about roots

That's exactly it for me too! My hair is too dark for keeping on top of roots, and I like to touch up my greys at home 😅😅

I don't think it's out. It's basically highlights for a sun-kissed look. Go for it!

If my hair was only stuck in 2020 I'd be quite happy!

I have one and if it's out I don't care 😂

It's usually a very subtle effect, so I don't actually think it will go out of fashion.

I don’t think it’s out. I do my own and people just think that is how my hair is. It’s a very natural look that just looks like your hair has lightened in the sun in places where the sun would naturally lighten it.

Upkeep is easy too. Go for it.

Thank you so much everyone.
And it won't be orange?!!

OP, one session might leave you a little warm/orange if you're that dark, but you can have it done over a couple of sessions. Mine went very warm ( I'm also very dark) but I didn’t want too much of a contrast to my roots and was worried another bleach might do that, so I just have ashy/cool toners put on every couple of months.

@SandyMojito does the ton r affect your natural colour at all or does it just tone the coloured bits?

Also if I had a few different shades would a toner turn them all the same or would they all alter accordingly?

I'm so clueless

Op, I'm no expert, but think they just put the toner on the bleached bits. The bleaching is just to lift it to create a base for the toner.

I don't think it is out. I get mine done and love it. Grows out really nicely so I only get my hair dyed twice a year which is good as I almost fell off my chair when they first told me the price

I'm on the fence. I do think it can look a bit dated and only really looks at it's best when the hair is curled but I also think that entirely depends on who's done it, how subtle it is, the tones used etc- it varies hugely according to the eye and the experience of the colourist. Done well it can look amazing.

I think it's still very popular so must be for a reason but I would want something more subtle than that image, the tones are quite stark and I'd be curious as to what the models hair looks like when she wears her hair straight, or a few months down the line.

@dontgobaconmyheart that's a good point. I do curl my hair a lot but some days it's just left down and is straight ish.

I’ve coloured mine out due to home dye during lockdown but when I did have balayage I used to stop it getting orangey by using a blue shampoo on it once a week. Mine’s similar colour to yours.

Mines quite subtle and makes my hair look multi tonal near the ends with darker roots.

Same with not really following trends btw so I'm not arsed if I'm not in fashion any more but I like it on me. I get the highlights put through twice a year and have my roots done every month.

Go have similar colouring and use purple shampoo to wash every second day plus olaplex once a fortnight.

I really like it - unfortunately my natural colour is nearly black so it wouldn't work without lifting everything first and I don't want the damage that comes with that.

@HowIsItMarchAlready this is my natural colour...this is why I'm apprehensive
Although tbf it looks a bit darker there than it does in real life

Your hair looks like it is cool in tone anyway so it really shouldn't go orangey if done properly. I'd lighten the ends gradually though across 3 or 4 appointments, not go for the full lightening in one go.

No one can tell you if your hair will lift 'warm' (orange) it depends on the undertone of your natural hair and what colour you have been using at home to do your roots.
Have you had a skin test? Can you ask the salon you have booked into your do a strand test? This is where they will cut (not noticeably) a very small section of hair, usually from the back and underneath and they will colour that so you can see how it lightens.
The salon could use different strength peroxides with the bleach on different sections to give your hair the multi-tonal look but from experience it will still usually need a toner. The toner can either be used all over and because different strength peroxide was used (so different sections of hair were lifted some lighter and some not so light) you will still have multi-tonal pieces but the same tone. Or the stylist could use different toners but this is more work as they will have to section off each section of lightened hair and tone individually. The toner shouldn't affect the hair that hasn't been lightened. You can also use a blue/purple/silver shampoo once a week to help keep any 'warmth' at bay but the stylist should advise on what is best for your hair and the colour result
Hope this helps

It's not the balayage method that's out but I would say the particular styling eg the tonged colours.

Just another thing as well.... yes the balayage is low maintenance and won't need doing often but won't always distract from the grey hair, depending how much you have. And the grey hair will also still need doing whether at home or in salon. You could always ask for a 'money piece' and a few foils closer to the roots which will help blend in the grey if you wanted to stop colouring your roots dark and let the grey grow out. Just make sure the stylist does a thorough consultation with you (which they should anyway) before starting so that they know exactly what you want and what level of hair maintenance you are prepared to do

I have normal highlights (1/2 head) & then stylist does some extra balayage streaks.

I get balayage and I don't care if it's not fashionable!

I don't have any grey (well literally about three) so I just get the ends done blonder and the dark roots are my own colour. I get it done twice a year compared to when I got highlights and needed it done every 8 weeks! Plus it looks nicer. Go for it!

I went for it and I love it! It's photographed slightly warmer than it looks in 'real
Life'... some of the lighter bits are actually a bit ashy

You were right in that it looks better curly but I've left it straight today and it's actually blended really well and it's a subtle gradient so I'm happy