For those who aren’t familiar with hair coloring, Balayage and Ombre might seem foreign, but for those who want to keep up with the latest makeup trends, these are coloring techniques designed to highlight hair in a unique way that creates an attractive, mesmerizing look. To an outsider, Balayage and Ombre may appear similar, making it difficult to discern any differences. However, there are subtle distinctions between the two, which will be discussed in this article.
Balayage
Balayage is a hair coloring technique derived from the French word meaning “sweep.” This term indicates how the hair colorist applies the color in a single sweeping motion from the base of the hair to the end, using lighter strokes at the base and heavier strokes at the end. The resulting color scheme is gradual, appearing as if nature itself created the effect. The hair looks sun-kissed, with the goal of maintaining the natural hair color but enhancing it to a sun-kissed version. Balayage is currently the most requested coloring technique in salons, with many celebrities opting for this style.
Developed in France in the 1970s, Balayage is considered a freehand technique since the colorist applies the color with their hands rather than using foils. Although it can be used on short hair, the best sun-kissed effect is achieved when the hair is shoulder-length. Balayage is also considered economical because the gradual color doesn’t show a clear demarcation, and even re-growth doesn’t impact the effect as the color is natural at the base of the hair.
Ombre
Ombre is another hair coloring technique that has gained popularity recently, largely due to celebrities adopting this effect for their hair. When looking at someone with Ombre hair coloring, you’ll notice a gradual lightening of hair color from the base to the end. The look is striking, giving the impression that the hair has been bleached and not touched up for an extended period, resulting in dark hair at the base and lighter hair at the end. The word “Ombre” is French, meaning “two-toned.”
Key Takeaways
- Ombre keeps hair dark at the top and gradually lightens it towards the end, creating the appearance of bleached hair that hasn’t been touched up.
- There is no clear line of demarcation in Balayage, which makes it an economical coloring system since re-growth doesn’t impact the sun-kissed effect due to the colorist applying light strokes at the top of the hair.
- Balayage is subtle, while Ombre is more striking.
