Balayage Dimensional Highlighting
Painting the Town:
Top Colorists Talk Balayage
It’s the hottest highlighting technique today. Why not jump on the bus and discover why balayage means big bucks?
By: Angie Manson
Celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Eva Longoria-Parker and Gisele have put the beachy hair look on the map, and clients across the country are demanding the same natural, sun-kissed effect. So color pros in the know are perfecting their balayage techniques to deliver. The freehand hair painting strategy offers “I spent the summer frolicking on the beach” highlights. Here’s how to add this profit-builder to your color palette.
Beth Minardi
Minardi Salon | New York City
“They’re not your mother’s highlights.”
“Rooty is in,” declares Beth Minardi. “The traditional effect of placing every highlight at the scalp isn’t sexy anymore.” That’s why the color pro balayages nearly every one of her longer-haired clients. “I love the modern look of it,” she says. “I love hair that’s brightest at the ends.” And naturally, she has created her own signature strategies. For example, she uses zig-zag partings instead of straight partings when she’s applying color, to create a more natural look. For blonde clients, Beth likes to blend icy white blonde tones with deeper, creamier blondes. For brunettes, she likes to blend light chestnut with dark mahogany. “It’s all about creating natural-looking dimension by using varying tones,” she explains. And, in place of the traditional French technique, Beth developed her own version that she calls American Baliage. “It’s basically balayage with foils,” she says. “I use special, long foils and press the hair flat into them. It helps me concentrate the lightener exactly where I want it.”
Solstice Hair Designers agree, this is a natural looking and under utilzed technique. Call for your hair color consult! 508-775-7400
