If you’re looking for a hair color that turns heads without turning into a full-time job, the balayage might just be your new best friend. This hand-painted highlighting technique is beloved for its soft, blended results and super easy upkeep — perfect for anyone who wants to look freshly put-together without constant touch-ups.
Should You Get a Balayage?
Balayage is all about creating a natural, blended effect that doesn’t demand a salon visit every 4–6 weeks. Here’s why it’s perfect for anyone wanting low-maintenance blonde hair or softer color transitions:
- No harsh grow-out lines — the color fades gradually and gracefully.
- Fewer salon visits — save time and money while still looking polished.
- Customizable to your lifestyle — from soft, natural face-framing to full blonding.
At Stephanie Moss Salon, we specialize in balayage color that grows out beautifully, especially for clients who love a little (or a lot of) blonde without the hassle. Whether you’re transitioning away from fully blonde locks or dipping your toe into the look, we’re here to support you!
Here are our best balayage colors to deliver maximum style with minimal maintenance.
1. Caramel Balayage
Warm, golden caramel highlights are the perfect way to lighten up dark hair without over-committing to blonde. Caramel balayage adds dimension and movement to brunette bases and looks incredibly natural as it grows out—ideal for busy lifestyles. You can take it cooler or warmer, depending on your preference (and your undertone). Consider asking for a honey caramel balayage to get a look that leans on golden tones.
2. Ash Blonde Balayage
Smoky ash tones are always trending with the cool girls for a reason. An ash blonde balayage gives you that sophisticated edge without constant root touch-ups, if you’re starting with cooler hair. It’s especially flattering for those with cool or neutral undertones and blends beautifully with natural dark blonde or light brown hair.
3. Toffee Brunette
Think of this as the brunette balayage version of a cozy sweater. Rich, warm toffee tones melt seamlessly into darker hair for a subtle lift that’s low on maintenance but high on elegance. This kind of balayage on dark brown hair is great for brunettes who want something new without bleaching their whole head.
4. Champagne Beige Blonde
Looking for a soft, creamy blonde balayage that works year-round? Champagne beige is light, flattering and gives a sun-kissed finish that’s easy to maintain. It pairs especially well with natural blondes or light brunettes and fades like a dream.
5. Rose Gold Balayage
Add a playful twist with rose gold blended with blushy, peachy or pinkish tones that give blonde hair a fresh, youthful vibe. This fun color will fade gradually and beautifully, so even as it softens over time, your hair still looks polished.
6. Cinnamon Spice
A little red, a little copper, a lot of glow. Cinnamon balayage adds warmth and brightness to darker hair with minimal maintenance. It’s a great way to try red tones without fully committing to a true red or copper balayage and grows out in a soft, lived-in way that can really bring out your eyes and smile.
7. Icy Platinum Ends
Craving something bold? Platinum balayage lets you enjoy high-contrast color for a little longer than a fully platinum look. By concentrating icy tones on the ends and blending from a darker root, you get the drama of platinum with the wearability of balayage. (This kind of highlight is especially fun with an updo, for the record.)
8. Chocolate Brown Balayage
A beautiful balayage doesn’t have to be dramatic. Especially for brunettes with naturally dark hair, getting any new color in the picture can be a huge ordeal or lead to an extremely contrasted look — which isn’t always what we’re looking for. The chocolate brown balayage is the twin sister to a soft blonde upping her highlights: a little bit can go a long way.
9. Bronde Balayage Blend
Not quite blonde, not quite brunette, bronde balayage hits the sweet spot. It’s universally flattering, super versatile and grows out with almost zero lines. This is the ultimate choice for a subtle yet impactful change — and the look that most people imagine when they wonder if they should get a balayage or not.
Keep That Color Fresh: Balayage Maintenance Tips
While balayage is known for its easy upkeep, here are a few pro tips to help your color look its best between visits:
- Use a sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo to protect tone and prevent fading.
- Add a toning treatment or gloss every 6–8 weeks to maintain your color’s vibrancy.
- Apply a deep conditioning mask weekly to keep your new ‘do hydrated.
- Always use heat protectant before styling to avoid color damage.
Other Questions About Balayage
We hear you. We’ve got answers.
What’s the difference between balayage vs highlights?
This is the number one question we get about the topic. Highlights as a salon service are usually applied with foils and have a more defined, uniform color. There’s more variation with a hand-painted balayage, which makes the end result more natural and blended. ‘Balayage’ is actually a French word, meaning to ‘sweep’ or paint — it describes the way that the stylist applies lightener.
How long does a balayage take to do?
Depending on the thickness and length of your hair, the amount of lightening you want, the expertise of your stylist and the style you want, a full balayage could take anywhere from 1.5–3 hours. A partial balayage won’t take as long. Check with your stylist to see what their best guess is for your unique situation.
What is reverse balayage?
In the same way that lowlights are the “reverse” of highlights — adding in darker hair to create dimension — reverse balayage does the same thing, hand-painting darker areas for more contrast and dimension with the same method as balayage highlighting.
What is a full vs partial balayage?
A full balayage includes lightened sections all over your hair, versus a partial balayage which only focuses on a few areas. A partial balayage usually involves pieces in the front to frame the face without taking as long or costing as much.
What about ombre vs balayage? Or babylights?
Ombre is a more dramatic gradient shift, where your hair is visually split into two sections (a top and a bottom). Babylights are teeny-tiny highlights, applied either with foils or through balayage, meant to mimic the way a child’s hair might naturally blond in the sun. Something we love about the beauty industry is the way that it constantly changes, evolves and improves — which also means there are constantly new techniques and trends to learn and master.
You shouldn’t have to choose between stylish and simple.
We consider ourselves a balayage hair salon (Stephanie Moss herself is a L’Oreal Professional Balayage artist!) and we take the time to custom-blend your perfect color — no matter what that is.
Book your consultation today and let’s find your perfect blend!
