15 Blonde Balayage Ideas For Your Next Hair Colour Appointment

It was the easy, breezy, cool-girl look that defined the early 2010s: blonde balayage. Balayage, which in French means “to sweep”, is a hair colouring technique that involves hand-painting lighter shades into the hair to create a soft, sun-kissed effect. As George Papanikolas, celebrity hairstylist and Matrix global brand ambassador, explains, it’s all about a seamless blend rather than harsh streaks. “Balayage stays softer and more delicate at the root, gradually becoming bolder and brighter towards the ends. Essentially, it mimics the way the sun would lighten your hair naturally.”

What is the difference between balayage, highlights and ombré?

While the effects of balayage, highlights and ombré hair may look similar, these colour treatments are actually all slightly different. Celebrity hair colourist Jenna Perry explains that balayage is a hand-painted technique that offers a soft, natural blend of colours. Papanikolas adds that it is achieved with a foil, or a freehand teasing and backcombing method. “Isolating the [hair] lightener in a foil generates more power and heat, which helps break through darker pigments more effectively,” he explains. “That means we can push past the unwanted orange tones and achieve those desirable, cleaner blonde shades.”

Highlights are more structured, Perry says. Even though they’re also created with foils, the goal of highlights is a more precise, brighter and more defined look. “Highlights are great for maximum lift, but they can look more streaky and lead to harsher grow-out compared to balayage,” adds Papanikolas.

As for the ombré effect, Perry says to think of this technique as a gradual fade from dark roots to lighter ends, whereas balayage is more customised in where and how lighter pieces are placed.

How much does a blonde balayage cost?

This will depend on where you go and the colourist you see, but Perry says that a balayage treatment can cost anywhere from £200 to £600. “Balayage is a bit more expensive because it’s super customised,” she says.

Papanikolas adds that freehand balayage is one of the hardest techniques to master, so investing in it is worth the expense. “It’s not just painting on [hair] lightener,” he says. “It takes real artistry, a delicate touch and strategic placement that works with your haircut. When it’s done by someone inexperienced, you can end up with blotchy colour, uneven lift or brassy orange tones.”

How long does balayage last on blonde hair?

The beauty of balayage is how low-maintenance it is. Because the growing-out process is soft and less noticeable, many people can go three to six months between appointments.

Can I do blonde balayage at home?

The experts are unanimous on this: the answer is no. “Blonde is tricky and balayage is an art form that requires training and an eye for detail,” says Papanikolas. “DIY balayage can easily turn patchy or brassy, or even worse, lead to breakage.”

So, leave the blonde balayage to the experts. And if you’re looking for some inspiration to show your colourist, we’ve curated our 15 favourite celebrity blonde balayages.